Revelation 16:12-16 - "Blessed Is He Who Watches"

Shortly after the rapture of the church, the Seven-year Tribulation will take place. And basically, that is what the Book of Revelation describes and details. What we read about here in Revelation 16 when the sixth angel pours out his bowl is the last great event of the Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon. The Old Testament is full of prophesies about this event along with many passages in the New Testament. We learn more about this battle and what happens in Revelation 17 and 19:“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Rev. 17:14). Simply said, “The Lamb, Jesus Christ will win”! Revelation 19:15-21 gives even more detail: “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Actually, this will not be a battle but a slaughter, a blood bath, that will take place in a moment of time when Jesus destroys the armies of the nations that have gathered to fight this battle. He kills them all with the “sword which proceeded from His mouth.” And Revelation 14:20 tells us: “And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” Now for the insert verse 15, when Jesus speaks,"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." This is a word of encouragement for the believers who are still alive at the end of the Tribulation. Jesus is saying as a thief He will come quickly and as soldiers of the cross they need to be ready in the midst of the terrible spiritual darkness that has engulfed the world. A Roman soldier in the time of battle was told to keep his armor on even as he slept to be ready lest the enemy shows up unexpectedly. If he was sleeping with no clothes on, he would be ashamed as he ran out of his tent to fight naked. I believe this is still God’s word for us today! Make sure we are clothed with His garment of Righteousness, and we are fully equipped with whole armor of God for our daily battles with spiritual wickedness! (Ephesians 6:10-18) God bless!