November 25: DIVINE COVERING
“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
These words of Jesus portray a key warning for the unprepared: the element of surprise! There is no such thing as a thief who announces his arrival. It is in this sense that Jesus likens Himself to a thief. Only those clinging to worldliness and believing false ideas about God’s character will be surprised — shockingly so — when Jesus comes. Best to prepare NOW! Get ready. Be ready. Stay ready. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night… (2 Peter 3:10)
This placement of Jesus’s reminder in the midst of the sixth plague, highlights the closeness of His Second Coming. As the day approaches, He lovingly encourages us to remain watchful, saying that such are blessed. It is in keeping [our wedding] garments that we live in a state of readiness for His return, as he who watches is sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8) with a keen sensitivity to the adversary’s tactics to lead astray any who do not believe the Truth in its entirety. If anyone thinks he is robed in the righteousness of Christ, yet rejects any part of what He has for us in His word, his or her “robe” is nonexistent. The word of God is like a collection of priceless jewels. Each one is freely given for us to value by our heeding; an ornament of excellent character.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD. My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
Do you desire for the righteousness of Christ to be credited to you as a wedding garment? You must believe Him! Abraham’s belief continued to be highlighted in the New Testament (see Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6, & James 2:23, Hebrews 11:8-19). Jesus told a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son. In finding someone at the wedding who was not wearing a wedding garment, the king had him removed (see Matthew 22: 2-14). This does not have to be you! Decide today to believe all that the Lord has said. His Holy Spirit will lead you to follow through in your words and deeds.
The old fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen entitled The Emperor’s New Clothes illustrates the fallacy of trusting deceivers. In the story, they presented to the king a fabric so very fine that only the wisest and smartest could even see it. The king could not see it, but did not want to reveal that he was not “wise and smart”. He ordered a set of clothes made of this “fine fabric” and proudly paraded himself through town — totally naked! Yikes.
Paul spoke of earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked (2 Corinthians 5:2-3). A great Day is soon to come when those who are clothed by unreserved belief in God’s character, as revealed in His word, will be gathered for a magnificent, joyful parade into the gates of heaven.
“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17
For further study: Nehemiah 4:9; Matthew 24:42,44-46; 25:13; 26:41; Luke 21:36; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:4; 1 Peter 4:7-8; Revelation 3:3; 19:8