Our Heavenly Garments

Genesis 2:25 “ And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed”


Many great Bible teachers (See notes at end) share the belief that Adam and Eve were clothed in a robe of light that covered their nakedness with the Glory of God.They were not aware of their nakedness because it was eclipsed by an incomparable weight of glory. This Glory they lost when they sinned, finding themselves shamefully reduced to a mere animal condition, which they attempted to cover with fig leaves sewn together.

The Majestic Glory of God so inhabited the frail body of Adam that it filled and covered him with the same glory that Jesus had on the mount of transfiguration. This indwelling of God departed upon eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In this way, Adam died unto God and became alive to the world around him. He discovered that he was naked, something he was not aware of before because of the overwhelming awareness of God’s indwelling presence. He became self aware and self centered. The robe of God’s presence was lost to him, and he found himself to be shameful, fearful and distressed. His Spirit man died, but he survived as a man of flesh, his soul continuing to live in a body, craving satisfaction from the world around him. This soul, without the glorious robe of the indwelling Spirit man made in the image of God, became a weak ruler over a lustful body and found itself incessantly giving in to the fleshly demands of his body even when those demands were evil.

Adam was ashamed at his condition. His principal lust was that of his sexual desire for his wife, and the covering up of his sexual organs became a symbolic attempt to cover the shamefulness of his insatiable desire for all that is in the world. He sought to cover up this lustfulness with fig leaves. As you can imagine, this superficial treatment of his problem did nothing to change his condition. He continued to be lustful because nothing in his environment could fill the dreadful craving, the void he had in his inner man as a result of his spiritual death and separation from God. God had mercy on Adam’s pitiful attempt to cover up, providing Adam and Eve with a more appropriate covering, a garment of skin from an animal sacrificed for this purpose. The entire account from Genesis is heavy with symbolism, and as an account inspired by God has infinite layers of truth which even eternity will not be sufficient to reveal.

In my teaching I would like to focus specifically on the nakedness of Adam and his wife and God’s plan for their re-covering. The animal skin with which God clothed them was only a provisional measure, it was a symbolic covering or atonement for the sin which they had committed, the blood of the animal sacrificed to make this clothing atoned for their sin. The animal had paid the price; it had suffered death in their place and was a prefiguring of the substitutionary death that Jesus was to die at the cross for the sins of the world.

However, no matter how efficacious the death of the animal was for the atonement of their guilt before God, this cover of animal skin fell far short of restoration to their Paradisal state, the bloody animal skin was only the pledge of a promise to have his original covering restored, that inner robe of God’s indwelling presence which transcended the animal body of Adam and covered him with Glory. The Robe that had been removed because of his sin. Everything that happens during the time of this provisional covering up of man’s loins up to the receiving of his new clothing is an intermediate and preparatory period looking towards the new beginning. Full redemption has not taken place until the robe is restored.

Indeed many thousands of years later we find Elijah the Tishbite still covered with a leather girdle about his loins, an ongoing symbolic man covering up the shame of his natural lust with the skin of an animal. A man with a nature like ours, says James in the New Testament. Even today we continue to cover up our loins, not necessarily with a skin, but certainly with enough nylon or cotton to hide the shame of our natural body which is still lustful because it has not had it’s covering of paradisal glory restored. This proves that we are still in the preparatory stages of redemption; we are not yet fully saved. We are being saved.

But when Elijah appeared with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration he was no longer wearing his leather girdle but together with Moses was clothed in blinding glory, such that Peter, James and John were terrified. In a sense they were looking into the future, which in God’s timeless eternity is always present. They had a glimpse of what their future state would also be, a revelation of the Glory that is going to be restored, something which Peter wrote more about many years later in his epistle.

The true appearance of Christ, what he really looks like, had been hidden to everyone up till then, and now, during one brief moment, he revealed himself to his three closest disciples. Isaiah had prophesied that the Christ would grow up before men “as a root out of dry ground, with no majesty or form that anyone should be drawn towards him.” Jesus walked as a man of dust, as naked as Adam was after he had lost his Robe of Heavenly splendour, the indwelling glory of God. Jesus, having left his glory in heaven, was naked. This appearance was deceptive and resulted in the Lord of Glory being spat upon and finally crucified as a common criminal.

After Jesus was received back into glory he appeared to John in the revelation and John fell at his feet as though dead. His face was like the sun shining in its strength, his eyes were like a flame of fire, and his voice like the sound of a thundering waterfall! We wonder sometimes why Jesus does not reveal himself to the world like this. If we had it our way, we would have him revealed, as his own brothers wanted him revealed. They said to Jesus, “No-one does anything in secret when he seeks to be known publicly. Show yourself to the world!”

However, Jesus continued in his hidden state and remains hidden even today. If he did reveal himself in his terrible majesty the whole world would fall at his feet, but for the wrong reasons. He still walks as naked today as ever he was upon the earth. None but the willing eye can see his glory. He is like the King who dresses like a beggar and goes wandering throughout his Kingdom asking for alms at the doorways of his citizens. When did we see you a stranger, Lord, and invite you in, or naked and clothe you?

In Philippians 2 we read that Christ Jesus “emptied himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men”. He was not only naked of his heavenly glory, but also naked of the things that make men weighty in this world. Paul, who wrote Philippians, also chose to walk in the nakedness of his master.

Like Jesus, Paul wanted men to be drawn not by something that appealed to their fleshly appetites, or their fear, but by the power of God. Jesus emptied himself and became a servant. Paul also empties himself to become a servant. He uses none of the tricks of rank, education and caste to intimidate or attract those to whom he preaches. No religious collar, scarlet robe or fancy headgear. No impressive title or entourage. No leonine appearance, commanding presence, rich voice or piercing eyes. No flamboyant gestures or raised platform. No seducing gifts or rod of correction. In fact he becomes one as to whom men hide their faces, poorly clothed, homeless and roughly treated. He walked as a beggar like Jesus and became a stone of stumbling to all but those whose eyes had been opened by the grace of God. The Galatians received Paul as an angel of God despite a fleshly infirmity that he had, a condition that would have made him repulsive to men. “That which was a trial to you in my condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God”

Paul did ask God to remove this infirmity, but God chose not to. Like his Son, God wished for Paul to walk in nakedness. Paul writes a lot in the epistles about his infirmities. (The word infirmity means weakness.) He wrote that Jesus Christ was crucified because of weakness. (2Cor.13: 4) Jesus was naked of the power of this world. Born the son of a poor carpenter in a cave used for animals, raised in an inconsequential village of Galilee, it was no wonder that he was despised, mocked and finally crucified. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” was Nathaniel’s question, and obviously a common opinion of the day.

In fact, all that Paul had to commend himself before men, he forsook, counting it as dung. He knew that his rhetorical abilities acquired under Gamaliel, the qualifications of his birth, his natural zeal, and his wealth, (being the son of a rich merchant), were all disadvantages in the service of a Master who had called most of his disciples from the lowest and most uneducated classes. What would have been advantageous to Paul he despised because he knew how easy it would be to put his confidence in these things instead of putting his confidence in God. Why is it that when Jesus called his disciples he told them to give away all their money? The reason is because money is probably the greatest deceiver among men and that which men want most. We have this false notion that with more money we can be more effective in God’s work. The opposite is true, according to the Wisdom of God, which is foolishness to the natural mind. The ideal way to start a missionary life is not to go around collecting money but to give away all your money. Jesus sent his disciples out without a purse to teach them where their provision really came from, and once they had learned that he then allowed them to take a purse. The same applied to the staff, which was an instrument of self defense. (Math.10:10) God can trust us with a purse or a sword once we have learned that he is our provider and our protector. Jesus sent his disciples out naked of worldly power to teach them to trust in God.

Naked, let us follow the naked Christ.

We can sow to the natural life and grow in an earthly covering which is visible or we can sow to the spirit man and grow in a heavenly covering that is hidden. It would be nice if we could grow in both ways at the same time, but unfortunately the truth is that sowing to the flesh reaps corruption. Jesus could have tried to fulfill his ministry and at the same time enjoy all the security and pleasure the world has to offer, but he didn’t; and neither did any of his disciples. They chose to despise what is highly esteemed amongst men and set up for themselves the goal of seeking the hidden treasure of the divine nature, which is precious in the sight of God. Indeed, all the tribulations that they faced because of their refusal to clothe themselves in worldly power and influence, they received with joy, because without tribulation the gold of the Divine nature cannot be refined. Thus we hear Paul speaking of participating in the sufferings of Christ as a privilege and not a burden.

The secure natural covering with which we seek to cover ourselves is anyway going to be stripped from us when we die. Our money, our education, our sophistication, our good taste, our possessions, our reputation, our physical looks are all only a superficial covering which we cultivate to earn the esteem of one another. Even in our churches we say to a rich men, “ you sit here in a good place” and to poor men “you stand over there” Have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? , Says James in his letter. We should be careful not to judge superficially because that poor man we have despised may, in the resurrection, be like one “whose appearance is like lightning”!

Our natural covering makes us feel secure and important in this world. A nice body, a nice car, a nice title, a nice wife, a nice house, a nice job, all of these things are what we primarily seek to adorn ourselves with when we go out into the world. Kindness, gentleness, patience and humility don’t quite get the same attention. However, it will be the hidden riches of the heart that are eternal, and all of these other trappings we will lose. “Come now you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming on you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth eaten!”

“Clothe yourselves with humility” Peter says. The heavenly garment of a humble and quiet spirit is not visible in this world, and those who choose to despise titles, property and honors in this world feel themselves to be naked. The garments of purity, holiness, love, kindness and patience are invisible and do not commend us before men, and so they who prefer to clothe themselves with these, giving only a little attention to worldly garments, suffer much mocking and abuse, because they appear naked to men. They do not seek to make themselves attractive in the world’s eyes, preferring to be commended by God who observes the heart. They become a “spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men”

“Beloved, we are children of God, and it has not yet appeared what we shall be. We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, just as he is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”(1John3:2,the italics are mine)

Purity is not a visible thing in this world, and thus gets little attention. The purity of Jesus was not visible; his Divine nature was hidden because he came in the likeness of sinful flesh. He came in a body like Adam had after the fall, the blinding glory of his real nature was left in Heaven, and he was naked in this world in the likeness of Adam. Unlike Adam, Jesus did not run to clothe himself to cover his shame. The sense of shame that we are all born with drives us to seek honors, distinction, wealth and possessions to cover our shame. Jesus had no shame to cover, and thus he could be born in a stable of undistinguished parenthood without wanting to cover up his origin. When he spoke disparagingly of money the Pharisees laughed at him “for they were lovers of money” “ What is highly esteemed amongst men,” he said, “ is abominable in the sight of God” God is not impressed with our clothes or titles, he looks at our hearts.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God, writes John. As Christians we have nothing to be ashamed of, we are the children of God! What need do we have of the coverings with which men cover themselves; we have a heavenly garment which is being made for us in Heaven!

“Who is this that grows like the Dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?” This is a description of how we shall appear when Jesus appears as He really is. The hidden qualities of the heart, the Divine nature which is our real inheritance, is growing, and will become visible to all of creation on that day when Jesus, like the sun, appears in his Glory. When he appears on that new day in Glory, we also will appear in glory, and we shall be like him, just as he is. If we have this hope, we will strive to become pure, because although purity is unnoticed now it will be a visible quality when Jesus returns in his new body and we have restored to us the heavenly robe that Adam lost when he sinned. We will be adorned with the divine nature.

Unfortunately many Christians do not understand this, or do not want to understand this, and spend more time seeking for garments which are esteemed in this world at the expense of the heavenly garment that is currently being made in Heaven for us. “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in Glory.” Our garment in heaven is being perfected, embroidered, having precious pearls sewn into it and growing in light and magnificence according to the degree that our natures are being conformed to the nature of Jesus.

“To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of his glory, you may rejoice with exultation.” Every patient enduring of trials, every quiet forgiveness of wrongs received sews a new jewel or pearl onto our heavenly bridal gown. “And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints”

“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, those who did good deeds to a resurrection of life, and those who committed evil deeds to a resurrection of judgement.”(John 5:28)

The mortal resurrection body made of dust that comes from the ground will put on the garment of the glorious spiritual body that is at this very moment being prepared for us in Heaven. “This mortal must put on immortality” The resurrection body will be a physical body but will be clothed with God as Adam had been before he sinned. No corruption will be possible within the covering of this glorious divine presence; we will be clothed in divine immortality. At the last trumpet the dead will be raised and will become clothed in different degrees of glory and will shine in a visible manifestation of the divine nature that has been increasing according to our trials on earth. Those of us who remain alive will in the twinkling of an eye be changed, receiving the physical resurrection body and the heavenly garment which covers it. Like Adam before the fall, the divine presence of God will shine with such power that our physical bodies will not be visible, we will be clothed with the light of God’s glory in different measures, some like the sun, some like the moon, and another like the glory of the stars, for star differs from star in glory. This perishable will put on the imperishable; this mortal will put on immortality! (1Cor 15)

Therefore, Paul says in the last verse, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58) Nothing on earth is our reward, nor successful ministry, nor riches, nor pleasure. Our reward is the heavenly garment of the divine nature with which we will be clothed when Christ appears in his glory.

Paul writes earlier in this same chapter of Corinthians: “if we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.” The incentive to embrace the hardships of the apostolic life is this promise of a glorious reward. If there is no resurrection, he says, we might as well just eat and drink. Elsewhere he writes: “indeed, while we are in this tent (body), we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life”(2 Cor 5:4)

Paul’s nakedness was compensated by the knowledge that though his outer man was decaying because of his suffering, his inner man was being transformed into the image of the Lord from glory to glory. This light affliction was producing for him an eternal weight of glory. The earthly tent of his body would soon be torn down and he would receive an eternal building from God.

Every bride looks forward to the day when she can put on a magnificent bridal gown and present herself before her groom. The book of Revelations tells us “ and it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. When Christ appears for his wedding in his glorious garments, we also will be robed in robes of righteousness, the robe that Adam lost at the fall, the indwelling visible, divine holiness of God. And we “will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven,….and like the stars forever and ever” says Daniel.

Some will come to that feast without that robe, without wedding clothes, and will be bound hand and foot, and cast into the outer darkness. Many are called, but if we want to be the chosen we must make our calling and election sure. ( Matt.22:12-14)

“Brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about his calling and choosing you, for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble, in this way the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

What are “these things” that Peter is speaking about? Well, if we read the previous verses (2 Peter 1:1-11) we see that he is speaking about the attributes of the divine nature, moral excellence, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. The promises of God have been given to us so that we may become clothed with the divine nature.

All men will be resurrected according to John 5:29.The physical resurrection body will then be clothed with the divine nature for some, and others will be found naked and cast into the outer darkness. We should not deceive ourselves by thinking that we can claim entrance into the eternal Kingdom without our heavenly garment.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by him in peace, spotless and blameless.

Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for reading this article, and please feel free to reply with your comments, objections or questions. Yours, Craig Wallace.


Notes:
See commentary Gill Math.13: 43,
"God in time to come, will beautify the body of "the righteous", as the beauty of the first man, when he entered into paradise, according to Isa_58:11 and that the soul, whilst in its dignity, shall be sustained with the superior light, and be clothed with it; and when it shall enter into the body hereafter, it shall enter with that light; and then shall the body shine, "as the brightness of the firmament": as is said in Dan_12:3

See also Barnes, Henry, W.Law, C.S. Lewis etc.