Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
15. Behold, I come ] St John apparently hears, and writes down as he hears, the words of Christ spoken in the midst of his vision.
as a thief ] See Rev 3:3 and references.
Blessed is he that watcheth ] The image is that of St Mat 24:43, though in the phrase there may be a reminiscence of the different image of St Luk 12:37.
and keepeth his garments ] The forewarned householder sits up with his clothes on, and the thief will decamp as soon as he sees him. If he were not forewarned, he might hear the thief at work, and start naked out of bed, but would be too late for anything but a fruitless chase in unseemly and ridiculous guise. It seems quite irrelevant to fancy an allusion to the curious Jewish custom, that if a priest fell asleep on night duty in the Temple, his clothes were set on fire which of course would have the effect of making him throw them off, and run away naked.
his shame ] Lit. uncomeliness, as 1Co 12:23.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Behold, I come as a thief – That is, suddenly and unexpectedly. See the Mat 24:43 note; 1Th 5:2 note. This is designed evidently to admonish people to watch, or to be in readiness for his coming, since, whenever it would occur, it would be at a time when people were not expecting him.
Blessed is he that watcheth – Compare Mat 24:42-44. The meaning here is, that he who watches for these events, who marks the indications of their approach, and who is conscious of a preparation for them, is in a better and happier state of mind than he on whom they come suddenly and unexpectedly.
And keepeth his garments – The allusion here seems to be to one who, regardless of danger, or of the approach of an enemy, should lay aside his garments and lie down to sleep. Then the thief might come and take away his garments, leaving him naked. The essential idea, therefore, here, is the duty of vigilance. We are to be awake to duty and to danger; we are not to be found sleeping at our post; we are to be ready for death – ready for the coming of the Son of man.
Lest he walk naked – His raiment being carried away while he is asleep.
And they see his shame – Compare the notes on Rev 3:18. The meaning here is, that, as Christians are clothed with the garments of righteousness, they should not lay them aside, so that their spiritual nakedness should be seen. They are to be always clothed with the robes of salvation; always ready for any event, however soon or suddenly it may come upon them.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. Behold, I come as a thief.] Here is a sudden but timely warning to put every man on his guard, when this sudden and generally unexpected tribulation should take place.
Keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked] Here is a plain allusion to the office of him who was called the prefect or overseer, of the mountain of the temple. His custom was to go his rounds during the watches of the night; and if he found any of the Levites sleeping on his watch, he had authority to beat him with a stick, and burn his vestments. See Middoth, fol. 34, 1, and Tamid. fol. 27, 2; 28, 1. Such a person being found on his return home naked, it was at once known that he had been found asleep at his post, had been beaten, and his clothes burnt; thus his shame was seen-he was reproached for his infidelity and irreligion.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I come as a thief; that is, I come suddenly and unexpectedly: see Mat 24:43,44; Lu 12:39; 1Th 5:2; Rev 3:3. It may be understood either of Christs coming to the last judgment, or of his coming in his vindicative providence to be revenged on his enemies.
Blessed is he that watcheth, he is a happy man that maketh it his business to keep himself from sin, in prospect of any such coming,
and keepeth his garments, and that persevereth in my ways and truth;
lest he walk naked, and they see his shame; for if he doth not, he will be found one of those that are not clothed with my righteousness, and his hypocrisy will appear to all men.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. The gathering of the worldkings with the beast against the Lamb is the signal for Christ’scoming; therefore He here gives the charge to be watching for Hiscoming and clothed in the garments of justification andsanctification, so as to be accepted.
thief (Mat 24:43;2Pe 3:10).
theysaints and angels.
shameliterally,”unseemliness” (Greek, “aschemosunee“):Greek, 1Co 13:5: adifferent word from the Greek in Re3:18 (Greek, “aischunee“).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Behold I come as a thief,…. These are the words of Christ, inserted in a parenthesis in this account, before it is concluded, to acquaint his people with his near and sudden approach, and to give them a word of caution and exhortation in these times of difficulty; for he is the Lord God Almighty, who sent forth these angels to pour out their vials, and whose judgments are applauded as righteous, Re 16:1 and who so often in Re 22:7 says “I come quickly”; and which is to be understood not of his spiritual coming, which will be already at this time, but of his personal coming: and which will be “as a thief”: as it is often expressed, 1Th 5:2 not in the bad sense, to steal and kill, and to destroy, though Christ’s coming will issue in the everlasting destruction of the wicked; but the phrase is designed to express the suddenness of his coming, and the surprise of it:
blessed is he that watcheth; against sin, the lusts of the flesh, and the cares of this life, lest they bring a sleepiness upon him, and so the day of the Lord come upon him at an unawares; and against Satan and his temptations, who goes about seeking whom he may devour; and against his emissaries and false teachers, who lie in wait to deceive; and blessed is he also who is wishing and waiting for the coming of Christ, and so, being ready, will enter with him into the marriage chamber, and partake of the supper of the Lamb:
and keepeth his garments: either his conversation garments, unspotted from the world, and whenever defiled washes them, and makes them white in the blood of the Lamb; and keeps them from being stripped of them, by those who would lead them into sinful ways; or that keeps and holds fast the robe of Christ’s righteousness, and garments of his salvation, which are the righteousness of the saints, that fine linen clean and white, that white raiment which only can cover their nakedness, that the shame thereof does not appear, Re 19:8
lest he walk naked; b, “naked of the commandments”, or good works, according to the Jewish phrase; having lost, or dropped his conversation garments:
and they see his shame; or lest, being naked, he be exposed to shame and confusion, yea, to everlasting ruin and destruction; see
Mt 22:12 the allusion is to the burning of the garments of those priests who were found asleep when upon their watch in the temple: the account that is given is this c;
“the man of the mountain of the house (the governor of the temple) goes round all the wards (every night) with burning torches before him; and in every ward where the person does not stand upon his feet, the man of the mountain of the house says to him, peace be to thee; if he finds he is asleep, he strikes him with his staff, and he has power to burn his clothes; and they say (in Jerusalem) what voice is that in the court? (it is answered) the voice of a Levite beaten, and his clothes burnt, because he slept in the time of his watch; R. Eliezer ben Jacob says, once they found my mother’s brother asleep, and they burnt his clothes:”
now imagine with what shame the poor Levite so served must appear the next morning among his brethren, with his clothes burnt, and he naked; and with greater shame and confusions must he appear at the last day that is destitute of the righteousness of Christ.
b Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 91. 3. c Misna Middot, c. 1. sect. 2. T. Bab. Tamid, fol. 27. 2. & 28. 1. Maimon. Beth Habbechira, c. 8. sect. 10. & Cele Hamikdash, c. 7. sect. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Behold, I come as a thief ( ). The voice of Christ breaks in with the same metaphor as in 3:3, which see. There comes one of seven beatitudes in Rev. (Rev 1:3; Rev 14:13; Rev 16:15; Rev 19:9; Rev 20:6; Rev 22:7; Rev 22:14). For (watching) see 3:2, and for (keeping), 1:3.
Lest he walk naked ( ). Negative purpose clause with and the present active subjunctive of , and note predicate nominative (naked).
And they see his shame ( ). Continuation of the final clause with present active subjunctive of . is old word (from , indecent, 1Co 12:23), in N.T. only here and Ro 1:27, a euphemism for (Re 3:18).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Behold – shame. These words are parenthetical.
As a thief. Compare Mt 24:43; Luk 12:39; 1Th 5:2, 4; 2Pe 3:10.
Watcheth [] . See on Mr 13:35; 1Pe 5:8 Keepeth his garments. “During the night the captain of the Temple made his rounds. On his approach the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire. The confession of one of the Rabbins is on record that, on a certain occasion, his own maternal uncle had actually undergone the punishment of having his clothes set on fire by the captain of the Temple” (Edersheim, “The Temple,” etc.).
Shame [] . Only here and Rom 1:27. From aj not and schma fashion. Deformity, unseemliness; nearly answering to the phrase not in good form.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Behold I come as a thief,” (idou erchomai hos kleptes) “Behold (of my own accord) I am coming as a thief” at a time when the unbelieving world ignores signs and warnings of the coming Lord and judge he shall come upon them, when they have no expectancy, 1Th 5:2; Mat 24:42; Mat 25:6; 2Pe 3:10.
2) “Blessed is he that watcheth,” (makarios ho gregoron) “Blessed (spiritually prosperous) is the one continually watching;” Mat 24:46; Luk 12:37; Luk 21:34-36; Mar 13:33-37.
3) “And keepeth his garments,” (kai teron ta himatia autou) “and keeping his garments,” the passions of the flesh guarding, keeping under subjection. Blessed is he, 1Co 6:19-20; 1Co 9:26-27. Separated, holy, dedicated life and service bring special blessings at the coming of Christ. Heb 9:28.
4) “Lest he walk naked,”(hina me gumnos peripate)”in order that he not walk naked,” before demons and demon led men, without moral and ethical influence; Rom 12:1-2; 1Co 6:19-20.
5) “And they see his shame,” (kai bleposin ten aschumosunes autou) “and that they see not his shame,” or conduct that would be an occasion for shame, loss of reward as an unfaithful child of God, tribulation judgment if not looking for the coming of Christ, Luk 21:34-36; Rev 3:18; Luk 12:45-47.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) Behold, I come . . .Translate, Behold, I come as a thief. It is the oft-repeated Scripture warning (Rev. 3:3; 1Th. 5:2-3; 2Pe. 3:10. Comp. Luk. 12:35-40). It reminds us not only that our Lord may come unexpectedly, but that He may even come and we be unaware. There is one day when He will come, and every eye will behold Him; but He comes in various ways and forms to bless and to test man. Blessed are they who are ready, watching. But vigilance is not enough: the garments must be kept. The powers of evil are abroad. Sloth and pleasure may counsel ease, and tempt the watcher to lay aside his garments and take rest and sleep. The earnest watcher desires, like St. Paul, to be found in Christ, clad in the true righteousness of faith (Php. 3:9).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Behold A solemn warning to watchfulness against being seduced by the spirits of devils into the antichristic army. He who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” steals upon us in the midst of these vain shows “as a thief;” ”a thief,” not in his hostile purpose, but in his difficulty of recognition. Yet unless one watcheth and keepeth his garments he will be left to nakedness and shame. The loose garments of the oriental sleeper are easily purloined, and the victim is liable, when he wakes, to walk naked. His safeguard is vigilance.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Rev 16:15. Keepeth his garments This may be an allusion to what that Jewish officer, called the man of the mountain, (that is, of the Lord’s house) used to do, when taking his round in the temple to examine the watch: if he met with any asleep, they were beaten by the provost, and had their garments taken away, and burnt; or, according to others, this officer had the liberty to set fire to their garments. Perhaps, in this case, the person might be obliged to appear in the fragments of his burnt garments the next day, which would be a great disgrace. See Ainsworth on Num_18:4-5 <swordsearcher://bible/Nu18.4-5>.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Ver. 15. I come as a thief ] Who gives no warning. See Trapp on “ Mat 24:44 “ I come suddenly, secretly, yea, and also violently and terribly. See Rev 3:3 ; Luk 12:34 ; 1Th 5:2 .
Blessed is he that watcheth ] The prophecy is here interrupted as Gen 49:18 to forewarn and forearm the saints; Luk 12:37-38 ; Luk 12:43 , they are three times said to be blessed that watch.
And keepeth his garments ] Keepeth himself unspotted of the world, undefiled in the way.
Lest he walk naked, &c. ] SeeRev 3:18Rev 3:18 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
This verse forms a parenthesis.
come, &c. See 1Th 6:2.
Blessed. See Rev 1:3.
lest = in order that (Greek. hina) not (App-105).
see. App-133.
shame. The Greek word only here and Rom 1:27 (unseemly).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 16:15. ) , the LXX. generally render .
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Chapter 35
Waiting for the Savior
‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame’
Rev 16:15
Would it surprise you if the Lord Jesus were to come again before you finish reading this sentence? It probably would. But that is a real pity. Believers should always be waiting for the Savior, expecting his glorious appearing at any moment. The world does not expect his return. It goes on with its mundane pleasures, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, without the least thought of Christs coming, judgment, and eternity. But his family should ever be looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Tit 2:13). (Read Mat 24:36 to Mat 25:13; Luk 12:22-40; 1Th 4:13 to 1Th 5:6; and 2Pe 3:1-14). The promise of Christs coming should fill our hearts with hope, expectation, joy, and devotion. There are three things in these words, which John heard fall from the lips of the Son of God, which demand our utmost attention.
A fact proclaimed
Behold, I come as a thief. Our Lord Jesus Christ will come again in glory. We have his own word for it. One of the last things he said to his disciples, before he left the earth, was – If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (Joh 14:3). And the very last thing he says to us in the Book of Inspiration is – Surely I come quickly (Rev 22:20). Those words might be translated, Most certainly, I am coming quickly. Our Lord is now on the road back to this earth. He is traveling as fast as wisdom permits. He is not waiting to come. He is coming now. With every movement of providence, with every tick of the clock, he draws nearer. He is coming now. And he will suddenly appear in power and great glory.
Our Lord has promised to come, and to come in person
Some try to explain away the bodily, personal coming of Christ by saying that he comes to his people in the hour of death. No doubt, that is true. When the believer dies, Christ comes for him and takes him home to heaven. But there is a great day appointed of God when the Lord Jesus Christ shall personally return to this earth (Act 1:11; 1Th 4:16; 2Th 1:7-10; Rev 1:7).He who went up to heaven shall come again from heaven to earth. Our Lord will as certainly be here again in a body of glory as he was once here in a body of shame. He has promised it. Every redeemed sinner may confidently say with Job, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me (Job 19:25-27).
The great plan and purpose of God in redemption requires Christs second advent
It is part of Gods purpose that, as Christ came once to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, he must come a second time without sin unto salvation. As he came once to purchase his elect from the curse of the law, he must come a second time to gather the people he has so dearly bought. As he came once to have his heel bruised by the serpent, he must come again to crush the serpents head and dash his enemies to pieces. As he came once to wear a crown of thorns, he must come again to wear the crown of universal praise. As he came once to be crucified by men, he must come again to be glorified among men. The purpose of God in redemption cannot be complete until Christ comes again for the redemption of his purchased possession (Rom 8:21-23; Rom 13:11). Gods purpose of redemption will not be fulfilled until the Church, the New Jerusalem, comes down from God out of heaven, having been prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The heavenly Bridegroom comes forth riding upon a white stallion, conquering and to conquer, King of kings and Lord of lords. The Man of Nazareth will come again. None shall spit in his face, deride him, or mock him then. In that day every knee shall bow before him, and every tongue shall confess that he is Lord. The Crucified One shall come again. With those hands which were once nailed to the cursed tree, he shall hold the scepter of total dominion and reign gloriously forever. Hallelujah!
Our Lord will come in his own appointed time
Many ask the question, When will Christ come? And multitudes, through the centuries have tried to figure out the time. They point to signs, and say, After these things happen, the Lord will come. All the curious speculations about prophecy are tricks of the devil, by which he endeavors to turn our hearts away from Christ. Our Lord tells us plainly, of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (Mat 24:36). The Word of God gives us absolutely no light by which we may determine the time of our Lords coming. And this is according to Gods wise purpose, so that we may always be expecting Christ to come at any moment. In such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh (Mat 24:44). Our Lord never told us to look for the signs of his coming, but ever to look for him coming. We are not to look for the gathering of the Jews to their homeland, the rebuilding of a temple in Jerusalem, or some earthly, millennial kingdom, but for the coming of Christ the King himself. It is always harmful to look for or anticipate any signs or prophecies that must be fulfilled before Christ comes. Such an understanding of any prophecy is wrong. It would cause us to imagine that our Lord will delay his coming until certain things are accomplished (Luk 12:45-46). Christ will come as a thief, suddenly, unexpectedly. Therefore, we must watch for him constantly. A thief gives no warning. He makes no announcement of his coming. Only the foolish sleep. Those who are wise will watch for Christs coming. It is a fact proclaimed – Behold, I come as a thief.
A blessedness promised
Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments. With these words, our coming King promises blessedness to those men and women who, in anticipation of his coming, are watchful and keep their garments. What is this watching? Throughout the Scriptures, whenever we read about Christs coming, the end of the world, judgment and eternity, we are exhorted to be watchful. What does that mean? We must watch against sin, the lusts of our flesh, and the cares of this world, lest they bring a sleepiness and slothfulness upon us and turn our hearts away from Christ (Mat 13:22). We must watch against Satan and his temptations and devices, by which he seeks whom he may devour. And we must watch against those ministers of Satan who lie in wait to deceive and would by their false doctrine turn us away from the hope of the gospel. We must not be overly concerned with the things of this world (Luk 12:29-34; 2Co 4:18). Blessed is he that watcheth. To be watchful is to be engaged in our Masters business (Luk 12:35), waiting for his return with our lights burning (Luk 12:35). To be watchful is to live and act in the immediate expectation of Christs return, with the sense that his eye is upon us. God give us grace to live in constant expectation of our Lords appearing. It is our responsibility to keep the watch appointed to us until our Lord sends other watchmen, or the Lord himself comes (Luk 12:38). We are to watch for our Lords return with the anxious thought of opening the door to greet him (Luk 12:36). Blessed is he that watcheth. Let us ever watch over our souls and watch for our Lord, with expectant hearts. But there is more. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments.
What is this keeping of our garments
As we watch for Christs glorious advent, we must keep our garments. This involves two things: First, we must keep our garments of life unspotted from the world (James 127). We must seek grace from the God of grace, that we may keep ourselves clear of the corruption of this world: greed, ambition, selfishness, meanness, and lasciviousness. We must keep our hearts, tongues, hands, and feet from that which is evil. It is our responsibility to keep our garments. We must deny ungodliness and worldly lust (Tit 2:10-14); and when we have defiled ourselves, we must wash again in the blood of the Lamb (Zec 13:1). Second, the text is admonishing us to perseverance in the faith. Our Lord is telling us to keep, cling to, and hold fast the garments of our salvation, which are the doctrine of effectual, blood atonement and the robe of his imputed righteousness. We must never allow anything, any doctrine, any experience, any trial, or any temptation, no, not even any fall to move us away from the hope of the gospel (Col 1:24; Heb 3:14). Ever keep the doctrine of blood atonement. Ever cling to the robe of imputed righteousness. What is the blessedness promised to those who watch and keep their garments? Those who watch and keep their garments are blessed in the watching and keeping itself (1Jn 3:2). This detaches them from the world! And they shall be blessed with eternal salvation.
A warning posted
Lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Those who cling to Christ, persevering in the faith, shall be saved. When the Bridegroom comes, they will have on the wedding garments he has provided. But this is the warning – If you do not hold fast Christ alone as your only hope, your only righteousness, your only acceptance with God, you will be found naked when he comes and put to an open shame (Mat 22:11-14). Christ is coming again. Soon, he will appear and summons us to stand before the bar of his great white throne. How will you appear before him? Are you washed in his blood? Do you have on the wedding garments of his imputed righteousness?
Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible
I come: Rev 3:3, Mat 24:43, 1Th 5:2, 1Th 5:3, 2Pe 3:10
Blessed: Mat 24:42, Mat 25:13, Mat 26:41, Mar 13:33-37, Mar 14:38, Luk 12:37-43, Luk 21:36, Act 20:31, 1Th 5:6, 1Pe 4:7
lest: Rev 3:4, Rev 3:18, Exo 32:25, Isa 47:3, Eze 16:37, Hos 2:3, Hab 2:15, 2Co 5:3
Reciprocal: Gen 3:10 – because Gen 38:23 – lest we Jdg 7:19 – in the beginning 2Ch 28:19 – made Judah Ecc 9:8 – thy garments Lam 4:21 – and shalt Mat 22:11 – which Mat 24:36 – General Mat 24:46 – General Mat 25:6 – at Luk 12:39 – General Luk 12:46 – lord Luk 21:35 – as 1Co 16:13 – Watch Rev 3:2 – watchful Rev 3:17 – naked
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE MANNER OF CHRISTS COMING
Behold, I come as a thief.
Rev 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 Lords 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.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Rev 16:15. This verse is in the nature of a parenthesis because it speaks of the coming of Christ, at which time all things on the earth will end. But the preceding verse mentions a battle that is to continue until that event, and the verse following our present one will go back to the beginning of that battle as to its coverage of time.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 15.
(2) A parenthesis of beatitudes–Rev 16:15.
Among the portents of persecution and catastrophe of the apocalypse, there are to be found declarations of consummate bliss and blessedness in a series of beatitudes. This cluster of precious and promising assurances to besieged, encompassed and beleaguered Christians shine through the text of Revelation with the brightest luster, like diamonds that flash and send forth a thousand rays as the sun falls upon them. These apocalyptic beatitudes, seven in number, are collated with comments in Rev 22:14. One of these scintillating assurances mingled with ominous overtones is in this verse: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
The warning words of verse fifteen are the interposition of another parenthetical beatitude comparable to Rev 1:3 and Rev 14:13. A blessing is pronounced on all that watch, for God would come in these events as a thief. The phrase as a thief does not indicate the element of surprise, but rather of preparedness. Jesus gave the signs of these events in Mat 24:25 : “Behold, I have told you before”; and in Verse 33, “so likewise ye, when he shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” This same event must have been the object of Paul’s exhortation to the 1Th 5:1-4, in reference to “the day of the Lord,” saying that they were “not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief”– that is, having knowledge of it, they would abide in preparation for the ominous events.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 16:15. The wonderful character of the great day of God, and of the issues that belong to it, leads to the interposition of this verse.
Behold, I come as a thief. The Lord Himself speaks, not the Seer in His name. The words are those of Mat 24:1; Mat 25:1, Mar 13:34, Luk 12:37, and they embrace the thought both of the suddenness of Christs coming, and of the destruction which it brings with it to the wicked (comp. on chap. Rev 3:3). In the remaining words of the verse the Seer seems to take up the strain, as he pronounces blessedness upon him who is ready for the events of the day so rapidly approaching. Similar parentheses occur at chaps. Rev 13:9 and Rev 14:12.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
These consolatory words of Christ seem to be inserted here for the support of the faithful servants of God, against those great preparations of the enemy in the day of battle.
Behold, says Christ, I then come as a thief, secretly, suddenly, and unexpectedly, to destroy these enemies when they least expect me; and then I am at hand to take vengeance on them, and to deliver my church when they least think of me: Blessed is he that watcheth, namely, against those temptations which he will be then exposed to: and keepeth his garments, that is, his profession unspotted from sin, and the defilements of antichrist; lest he walk naked, that is, appear as a man destitute of uprightness and sincerity; and they see his shame, which ever follows upon a sinful course.
Note here, 1. That when Christ comes, he comes suddenly, even as a thief cometh.
2. That although Christ comes suddenly, and as a thief; yet he is pleased to give us warning of his coming: Behold, I come.
3. That when Christ’s coming is near at hand, there is danger that many for want of watchfulness will lose their garments.
4. That is, to such as through negligence shall lose their garments, this misery will befall them; they shall walk naked, and men shall see their shame.
5. That those few who watch and keep their garments, are certainly in a happy and blessed condition: Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
While the forces of evil are assembling, Jesus warns he will come in a sudden, unannounced manner. (Compare 3:3; 2Pe 3:10 ; Mat 24:42-44 ) “Watcheth” and “keepeth” are words which denote continuous action. Coffman quotes F. F. Bruce who says the captains of the Jerusalem temple would burn the clothes of any guard found sleeping at his post. He would flee naked and ashamed.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Rev 16:15-16. Behold, I come as a thief Suddenly and unexpectedly. Observe the beautiful abruptness; I, Jesus Christ. Hear him! Thus, when it is foretold that these evil agents will use great art and address in support of their bad cause, the Spirit of wisdom adds a useful caution, warning the faithful servants of Christ to be on their guard against the emissaries of hell, lest they should be deceived to their own destruction. Blessed is he that watcheth That looks continually for him that comes quickly; and keepeth his garments on him Which men usually put off when they sleep; that is, that keepeth himself clothed with the robe of righteousness, the garment of salvation; lest he walk naked, and they see his shame Lest he lose the graces which he takes no care to keep, and others see his sin and punishment. And he gathered them together The true construction is, And they gathered them together; that is, the evil spirits and agents, before mentioned, gather all the forces of the Popish princes together; into a place called, in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon That is, the mountain of destruction. Mageddon, or Megiddo, is a place frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, well known in ancient times for many memorable occurrences; in particular, the slaughter of the kings of Canaan, related Jdg 5:19. Here the narrative appears to break off, but is resumed again chap. Rev 19:19.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Verse 15
The words of this verse seem to be intended as those of Christ; but their connection with the context is not obvious.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
16:15 {18} Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
(18) A parenthesis for admonition, in which God warns his holy servants, who rest in the expectation of Christ, always to think of his coming, and to look to themselves, that they be not shamefully made naked and circumvented of these unclean spirits, and so they be miserable unprepared at the coming of the Lord; Mat 24:29; Mat 25:13 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jesus Christ Himself evidently gave this parenthetic invitation and warning (cf. Rev 3:3; Rev 3:18). His second coming will be as a thief in that it will be sudden, and His enemies will not expect it (cf. Mat 24:43; Luk 12:39; 1Th 5:2). Believers who understand the revelation of this book, on the other hand, will be expecting His return. Christ’s coming for the church will not be as a thief because the church is looking for His return (1Th 5:4; Tit 2:13). Jesus Christ urged these faithful believers to be watchful and pure (cf. Mat 25:1-30). [Note: Walvoord, The Revelation . . ., p. 238; Smith, A Revelation . . ., p. 235; Newell, p. 258.] The alternative is embarrassment (cf. Exo 20:26; Lev 18:6-19; Deu 23:14; Isa 47:3; Eze 16:37; Eze 23:24-29; Hos 2:10; Nah 3:5). This is the third of the seven beatitudes in Revelation (cf. Rev 1:3; Rev 14:13; Rev 19:9; Rev 20:6; Rev 22:7; Rev 22:14).
Another interpretation sees this encouragement as directed to the Christian readers of this prophecy during the church age, before the Tribulation begins. Advocates of this view point out that by the sixth bowl believers who have not taken refuge (Rev 12:13-17) will have suffered martyrdom (Rev 13:15; Rev 14:1-5; Rev 14:13; Rev 15:2). Therefore, according to this view, there will be no believers on the earth by the time the sixth bowl judgment occurs.
"The close similarity to Rev 3:3; Rev 3:18 and the parenthetical nature of the announcement favor the latter alternative [i.e., this view]." [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 267.]
I think this verse is a general word of encouragement addressed to believers in the Great Tribulation, in view of the context, but applicable to believers in the church age. If believers do not understand that Jesus Christ will return very soon, they may behave in ways that will be embarrassing when He does return, at the Rapture and the Second Coming.