Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

IM4given · Sat Jan 24, 2009 , 05:35 PM

I need some help from you Bible Scholars and Preachers about this verse:

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Can anyone help me to understand what this verse of scripture means? I underlined the part that is in question.

candlelight · (This post was last modified: Sat Jan 24, 2009 09:41 PM by candlelight.)

Well...I am no Bible scholar or preacher--- lol. So, correct me if I am wrong--- brothers in Christ. My pastor always says that we are to keep our wedding dresses spotless... for Our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. What he means is that we are to abstain from sin, and if we do (aacidently) sin--- repentence is necessary so that we may be a lovely "Bride adorned for her husband." Brides are always ever so careful on their wedding day as not to get their white wedding gowns spotted. In fact, they are constantly pruning themselves so that they continue to look beautiful. So? Rub off the sin, as a bride would rub it off on her wedding dress. Wipe it clean--- right away. We never know when Jesus will "Come as a thief." Also, we never know when we will be called home. If your sin is not repented of? We become naked, without a gown. We will be in shame.

That is what believers are supposed to do regarding sin. We are to keep away from sin, and if we should fall? Repentence of that sin, immediately, will keep us clean and spottless. In other words...stay far away from temptation and sin. There are traps out there in the world that are set up to catch a born-again Christian in sin. If something seems questionable to me? I just don't do it--- lest I fall into a trap. I just tell people that I sin enough on my own without going and looking for it. My conscience gets me all the time. I repent of anything that I believe is sin to Our Savior. Like Brother Jim gave scriptures of the "eye." That is so very true. The "eye" will capture sin if ones lets it. We also need to be on guard of what we hear, too. If I suspect it might harm me? I get far away from it.

I Thessalonians 3:7...For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. "Plea for Purity"

candlelight · Sat Jan 24, 2009 , 09:49 PM

Correction. That sould be I Thessalonians 4:7.

Off Topic: Also, for the brothers in Christ that feel I need to slow down? I take an anti-convulsant medication (daily) for epileptic seizures. The doctor says that my brain works overtime on this medication. While the medication is keeping me alive--- it has side effects. I was saved as a result of this medical condition.

IM4given · Sat Jan 24, 2009 , 10:46 PM

I thought maybe that verse had something to do with being modestly dressed - as if you are ready to stand in God's presence at any moment (i.e. you would not want to tell God , hey wait and let me go change into something a bit more decent)...but I could be wrong - I have been wrong before....

Off Topic: Praise the Lord for modern medicine!

candlelight · (This post was last modified: Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:19 PM by candlelight.)

You know? Now, I am not sure what it means...lol. I checked a study Bible that I have, and it is found in the "Tribulation" period. So...it must not be speaking to us. I dunno. At the top page of this Bible it has "The Seven Bowls of Wrath" listed. We know that we, as believers, will not go through that period.

Help?!

P.S. ~ Yes, "Praise the Lord for modern medicine!" I would have perished without it. God bless.

Ebenezer · Mon Jul 20, 2009 , 02:04 PM

My understanding is that if a soldier fell asleep on his watch, his colleagues would strip him to shame him.

**George** · Mon Jul 20, 2009 , 02:20 PM

I apologize for not seeing this thread previously. I did some reading on this subject and found it very interesting. What I find as the best explanation (for me anyway) is from Albert Barnes in Barnes' Notes. Let me post it for you:

Rev 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief - That is, suddenly and unexpectedly. 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 - 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 - 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.

In Christ,
George