While Daniel informs us that the Spirit-Man he beheld, was "clothed with linen," John states simply, that he was "clothed to the feet." Now, this clothing is significant of the character and office of the persons represented by the symbol. The holy garments of Aaron and his sons were of linen, "to cover their nakedness," that when they ministered in the holy places, "they bear not iniquity, and die" (Exod. 28:42). "Nakedness," and "iniquity," are convertible terms in scripture; as it is written, "when Moses saw that the people were, naked, for Aaron had made them naked to their shame," -- that is, they had transgressed in worshipping the golden calf; and "blessed is he that keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Hence, to be "clothed," and to keep the clothing white, and clean, is to be "righteous," or holy. When Adam sinned, "he knew that he was naked," and he was ashamed, and afraid; but the Spirit appointed for clothing skins of sacrifices, and his sin was covered. Hence, "blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered," or clothed. Joshua, son of Josedec, a type of Jesus in the flesh, is first introduced as clothed with filthy garments, representative of the flesh with its propensities and lusts; but when the type is changed to represent Jesus in pneuma hagiosunes, -- that is, in Holy Spirit Nature, such as he acquired after resurrection, Joshua's raiment is represented as being changed. "Take away," says the Spirit, "the filthy garments from him." When this was done, then the Spirit addresses him, and says, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." And when the time came to do it -- to clothe Jesus, and all in him; symbolized in Joshua, and "his Fellows" "they set a fair mitre (or priestly crown) upon his head, and clothed him with garments." These are indicated in the visions of John and Daniel (Zech. 3:3-10).

"I put on righteousness," says Job, "and it clothed me;" and in Psalm 132:9, "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness."

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In Apoc. 19:8, it is said of the community, styled "the Lamb's Wife," that "to her it was given, that she should be arrayed in fine linen, pure, and bright." Now, they who constitute "the woman," are "called, and chosen, and faithful" (Apoc. 17:14), "they follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth" (14:4), as his clouds of cavalry, "clothed in fine linen, white, and pure," which is declared to be "the Righteousness of the Saints" (19:14,8); who are "purchased from among men," and made for Deity "kings and priests to reign over the earth." The multitude, symbolized by the Son of Man, attains to this dominion through much tribulation, and by resurrection. When they stand up they have obtained the victory over death and the grave, through him that loved them, and laid down his life for them: they are therefore represented in chapter vii. as "clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" -- robes "washed, and made white in the blood of the Lamb." Hence, these are robes of salvation and victory. In their mortal state, they put on Christ as a robe, when, having "believed the things of the kingdom of the Deity, and the Name of Jesus Anointed," they were immersed for that name, and into it. They fall asleep in him; and they arise to partake of the nature of his individual "body, of his flesh, and of his bones," that they may be like him (1 John 3:2). When they are clothed with this Spirit-Nature, they are "clothed upon with their habitation, which is from heaven -- mortality being swallowed up under the life or spirit that is poured upon them" (2 Cor. 5:2,4). This is the consummation of their investiture, which begins with their immersion into Christ, and is perfected in their post-resurrectional immortalization by the Spirit through Jesus. They are then the Body Corporate of God's Kings and Priests, the inhabitation of Eternal Wisdom and Power, clothed in the linen garment of righteousness, honor, majesty, and salvation. Then Zion will have clothed herself with them all as with an ornament, and have bound them on as a bride (Isai. 49:18; 61:10; Psal. 132:16).

The reader will understand, then, that the linen clothing of these symbols indicates the persons, their character, office, and nature, of which they are representatives. A glorious body of people prepared to execute righteous judgment upon the nations, and to govern them in righteousness when subdued -- the Son of Man in glory and great power.

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