What does Revelation 19:8 mean?

This continues a description of the "marriage supper of the Lamb." This depicts the church as "the bride of Christ," and symbolizes much of the relationship between Jesus and His followers. This verse explains that the bride of Christ was granted the privilege of clothing herself in fine linen that is bright and pure. Just as a bride wears a white gown as a symbol of her purity, so the bride of Christ receives fine linen attire.

The clothing represents the righteous acts that believers have performed. The church cannot claim she has attained any righteousness on her own. She owes her salvation entirely to God's grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). Furthermore, her righteous acts are done by grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The apostle Paul attributed the fruit of a productive ministry to the Lord and not to himself. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10: "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." He also testified, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10).