"Fine Linen"
The Bible mentions fine linen in very favorable terms. Dr. Elsharnouby has written an extensive article on the history of linen in ancient Egypt. I have used a very small portion from his paper that would relate to this paper. The term "fine linen" was used in 24 versus in the Old Testament and is always well spoken of as in Exodus 35 and Gen 41.
Exo 35:35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
Linen in Ancient Egypt
Dr. Rehab Mahmoud Ahmed Elsharnouby
Egypt was famous through the ancient Near East for both weaving linen cloth and the produced quantities. Cloth was sent as expensive gifts from one king to another and given to a laborer as wages in return for his work. Cloth was regarded as an essential element in everyday life as it could be used for everything: clothing, bedding, trappings for animals, or sails of a ship. It was in fact one of the most widely used item throughout Ancient Egypt.
Flax plants take about three months to mature. The exact time of the flax plants pulling is of great importance, since the plant's age affects the uses of the fibers. For example, if the flax plants are pulled while still young and green then a fine textile can be produced; if it is pulled when slightly older then the fibers are suitable for a good quality cloth and if they are pulled when the plants are old then the resulting flax is usable for coarse cloth and ropes.
But the "fine linen" that I would like to relate to is spiritual in nature and is found in two verses in the New Testament. But before I focus on "fine linen" I would like to bring our attention to the material called "white linen".
Rev 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
The angels were never described as wearing "fine linen". We can now know who the armies will be accompanying Jesus when He returns as the conquering King.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The "armies" that followed "The Word of God" on this climatic day of righteous vengeance were the saints being the firstfruit and the Bride of Jesus the Christ. The marriage to the saints had previously occurred. This may be considered the beginning of the rule of Jesus and his Bride over the all the nations on earth.