Revelation 16:15 - Exposition

Behold, I come as a thief. The very words addressed to the Church at Sardis ( Revelation 3:3 ), and similar to those connected by our blessed Lord with the great day (see Revelation 16:14 ). The mention of that day, and perhaps the knowledge that the battle is a daily one (see on Revelation 16:14 ), naturally leads to the solemn warning given here. It is worth notice how St. John adopts this idea; and this of itself should suffice to demonstrate the incorrectness of endeavoring to compute the times and seasons, as has been done by so many Apocalyptic writers (cf. also Matthew 24:43 ; Luke 12:39 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:2 , 1 Thessalonians 5:4 ; 2 Peter 3:10 ). Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. The same figure again as in Revelation 3:17 . Isaac Williams correctly points out that these words seem to indicate that the battle of Revelation 3:14 is a daily one, in which Christians are themselves engaged (see on Revelation 3:14 ). The garment is the garment of righteousness, the fervent love of God (see on Revelation 3:17 ).