Revelation 16 - James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

Bible Comments
  • Revelation 16:15 open_in_new

    THE MANNER OF CHRIST’S COMING

    ‘Behold, I come as a thief.’

    Revelation 16:15

    What a striking, startling figure it is. If our Lord had not Himself likened His coming to that of a thief, it would have seemed an irreverence for any man to dare to use such a comparison.

    I. It is upon the unwatching, careless world that our Lord will come as a thief. To those who look and long for Him He will come as a most welcome Deliverer and Friend. Yet the fact of our Lord giving this warning to an unbelieving and careless world shows that He wishes nothing but good even to those who have injured Him.

    II. There are two classes of men, those that watch and keep their garments, of whom He says, ‘Blessed are they,’ and those who neglect to watch, and defile their garments with sin, of whom He says that they shall be shamefully exposed.

    III. The thought of our Lord’s coming, the daily looking for it, should have a practical effect upon our lives, cheering us when we are sad at heart, spurring us on to fresh exertions in His service, giving earnestness to our prayers, reality to our worship, joy to our Sacramental Communions with Him, supplying constant food for our meditations, and hallowing our whole life and conduct.

    The Rev. Prebendary J. E. Vernon.

  • Revelation 16:15,16 open_in_new

    KEEPING THE GARMENTS

    ‘Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest be walk naked, and they see his shame.’

    Revelation 16:15

    Let us consider some of the many reasons why the utmost carefulness and prayerfulness should mark the path of those who wear the ‘beautiful garments.’

    I. The eye of the world is never so keen as when it is fixed on the follower of Christ. Nothing gives the world so much pleasure as finding some sin-spot on the Christian’s garments.

    II. We must also constantly remember that the desire of Satan is always dogging our footsteps. You know what that desire is. He longs either to make us willingly place aside the garments of salvation or to bring us into ‘Vanity Fair,’ or some such place, where the robes of grace will be torn from our shoulders by his ever-ready helpers.

    III. We must remember the defilement of the world around us.—That same wicked world which fixes its criticising eye upon us is full of uncleanness in itself. There may be a veneer of polish and respectability, but that is used as an attraction to the unwary child of God. If we would keep our garments of righteousness clean we must live a separated life.

    —Rev. W. A. Challacombe.