Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. Revelation 16:15
Alarm systems are placed in houses to allow the owner to be ready for a thief trying to break in. It is something that is continually on alert to send warning if someone comes in that is not supposed to be there. Unlike humans, the system will not sleep. If it does not work and someone breaks in, one would be ashamed of their system and want something different.
As John is describing God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth during the end times, he records Jesus saying that He is coming like a thief and that the one who watches and remains ready will be blessed, so that he will not be seen without clothing and put to shame.
Not remaining ready and alert can allow something to occur unexpectedly. Bad things often occur when one is not paying attention. When one is alert, one can change direction suddenly to avoid disaster.
The world is focused upon the here and now with no regard to the future. While focused on the moment, things can pop up and change everything.
Jesus is coming back for a people who believe in Him and are faithful to Him. Remaining alert and watching for him will cause one to watch the way one lives, not in sin and self pleasure, but living to please and serve God.
When one is living for self and sin at the moment Jesus returns will be found naked and exposed before God. Shame and punishment will be all that awaits them.
Believers will be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus, rather than the sinful pleasures of this world. They will be watching and ready for His return at any moment.
When you are expecting company, you are watching and ready for that person to come. In the same way you need to be watching and ready for the return of Jesus. You do not know when He will return, but know that He will. Put on His holiness and righteousness, not the sinful pleasures of this world. Believe in Jesus and keep watching for His return so that you will not be found naked and ashamed without the righteousness that He provides for free.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus; that you will be watching and alert for the return of Jesus; and that you will not be put to shame when Jesus returns.
Photo by Jon Asato on Unsplash
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