In an effort to make herself outwardly attractive to her victims, the great prostitute had dolled herself up with purple and scarlet as well as gold and jewels and pearls (see further Proverbs 7:10). In contrast with the prostitute, the bride makes herself appealing to the bridegroom (Lamb) not with outward finery but through a heart of godliness from which springs fruits of faith (see also 1 Peter 3:4). The righteous deeds
display what is in the heart, and these deeds look like refusal to buy into the prostitute’s agenda (including the focus on earthly things, per Revelation 18:12–13) and instead delight in Christ (Revelation 3:4, Revelation 3:18). Of course, the whiteness and purity of their robes is due to the cleansing blood of Jesus’ sacrifice (Zechariah 3:5) and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit (recall that this dress was granted
).
8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.