Now we have been able to harmonize all the verses of Revelation 16:12-16
except that strange verse 15, which appears to be compeletely out of context
will all others. Why did the Holy Spirit inspire the placing of such a
verse in the setting of Armageddon? "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed
is he that watcheth, and keepth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they
see his shame." Then follow the words, "And he gathered them together into
a place called ... Armageddon."
What do proper clothes have to do with preparation for the approaching
contest between Christ and Satan? And why is the wardrobe important for
the ones waiting for Jesus to come? Revelation gives the surprising answer:
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted
that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen
is the righteousness of saints." [ REV 19:7,8 ] Like a searchlight these words
illuminate the meaning of Revelatiion 16:15. Those garments symbolize the
righteousness of Christ with which every soul must be arrayed who would be
ready to meet the Lord. The battle of Armageddon will be fought over the issue
of Christ's righteousness. Only those who have trusted completely in the
merits of Christ's sinless life and atoning death can triumph with Him over the
forces of evil. "And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the
word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
[ REV 12:11 ].
Here is the winning combination which finally will cast down the accuser of
the brethren. The saints gained the victory by their simple faith in the
sufficiency of the cross. No confidence in the flesh. No faith in the works
of the law to justify. His merits alone to cleanse and to empower. So the
combination is threefold: 1) faith in the righteousness of Jesus, 2) fearless
sharing of the "word of their testimony," and 3) "they loved not their lives
unto the death." In other words, they would rather die than sin.
When the cross has done this to a person, he can survive all the concentrated
attacks of a thousand Armageddons. Demons, fallen angels and Satan himself
must flee in terror before the authority of a Christ-filled life. True faith
produces full obedience, and therefore, true righteousness by faith includes
sanctification as well as justification. Those who would lay down their lives
in death rather than disobey God will be the only ones who will refuse the mark
of the beast.
Multitudes, with something less than true righteousness by faith, will not
feel that obedience to all the commandments is worth dying for. Many will
reason that Christ's obedience has been imputed to them, and therefore they
need not be concerned about the works of the law. Such do not understand the
full gospel. It is the "power of God unto salvation" -- not just forgiving
power, but keeping power. We are not just saved from the guilt of sin, but
from the sin itself.
So Armageddon and preparation to meet Christ focus on a personal relationship
with the Savior. Clothed in the armor of His righteousness, the saints will
prevail even in the face of a death decree. If one does not have the sweet
assurance of that spiritual protection now, he sould put on His robe this
very moment. Woven in the loom of heaven, it contains no thread of human
devising. Shattering the authority of sin in the life, it claims the merits
and the power of Christ's life and atoning death.