Revelation 16:12-16 And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up… These are words specially for the last days. With eighteen hundred years behind us now, we may take them home most solemnly to ourselves. 1. They warn. 2. They quicken. 3. They rouse. 4. They comfort. I. THE COMING. It is the long-promised advent. Christ comes! He comes — 1. As Avenger. 2. As Judge. 3. As King. 4. As Bridegroom.Like lightning; like a thief; like a snare. Like lightning to the world, but the Sun of morning to His Church; like a thief to the world, but like a Bridegroom to the Church; like a snare to the world, but like the cloud of glory to His own. II. THE WATCHING. Not believing, nor hoping, nor waiting merely; but watching — as men do against some event, whether terrible or joyful, of which they know not the time. Watch, for ye know neither the day nor the hour of His arrival. Watch, for that day is great and glorious. Watch, for ye are naturally disposed to sit down and take your ease. Watch, for Satan tries to lull you asleep. Watch, for the world, with its riches and vanities and pleasures, is trying to throw you off your guard. III. THE KEEPING OF THE GARMENTS. Be like Nehemiah, who, when watching against the Ammonites, did not put off his clothes night nor day. Keep your garments all about you, that when the Lord comes He may find you not naked, but robed and ready. IV. THE BLESSEDNESS. Blessed is the watcher; blessed is the keeper of his garments. Many are the blessed ones; here is one class specially for the last days. 1. It is blessed, for it cherishes our love. 2. It is blessed, for it is one of the ways of maintaining our intercourse. 3. It is blessed, for it is the posture through which He has appointed blessing to come, in His absence, to His waiting Church. V. THE WARNING. Lest ye walk naked, and men see your shame. "Shame" has three meanings 1. The shameful thing or object. 2. The feeling of shame produced by the consciousness of the shameful thing. 3. The exposure to shame and scorn from others. The first of these is specially referred to here. But all the three are connected. (H. Bonar, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. |
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