‘Day 285

^“13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; ¹⁴ for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the entire ^“world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. ¹⁵ (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame.”) ¹⁶ And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.” Rev 16:13 – 16  (NASB)

In the midst of this battle of Armageddon account is a blessing on the one who keeps watch and hangs on to his clothes (spiritually) – (V:15). We have already noted that this reference is a clear reference to Rev.3:18, the warning of Christ to Laodicea. There is therefore a clear connection between the Laodicean church and God’s final call to the world in the context of Armageddon. The church that will pass through the final crisis of earth’s history is seriously flawed – but still the object of God’s supreme regard on earth and therefore the object of Jesus’ solicitude to overcome at last (Rev.3:21). This paradox should be a source of both warning and encouragement to God’s people today. It is the Laodicean church, the last church of Rev 3 that passes through the end-time crisis as overcomers! How fitting that the word Laodicea means Judgment of the people because this is the time when the world is in its judgment phase. 

In one single verse, John brings together a variety of NT appeals in light of the end. Both “I am coming like a thief” and “Blessed is the one who stays awake” echo statements of Jesus that are further echoed by Paul (Matt.24:42-44, Luke.12:37-39, 1Thess.5:1-6). All three of these texts are about readiness for the coming of Jesus. By echoing these concepts in the battle of Armageddon, the book of Revelation makes it clear that now is the time to heed the warning so as not to be on the wrong side then. It is our spiritual task to keep watch over our hearts, thoughts, and behaviour – and to remain faithful no matter the deception or the coercion we face. There is a need for both faithful endurance and discernment, fortified with the words of Jesus, of Paul, and of Jesus to Laodicea. When we choose to be faithful today in the midst of various temptations, we are being prepared for even greater battles at the end of time. When Jesus was having His Armageddon in the garden of Gethsemane, he counselled His disciples to pray and watch.