(2) A parenthesis of beatitudes--16:15. Among the portents of persecution and catastrophe of the apocalypse, there are to be found declarations of consummate bliss and blessedness in a series of beatitudes. This cluster of precious and promising assurances to besieged, encompassed and beleaguered Christians shine through the text of Revelation with the brightest luster, like diamonds that flash and send forth a thousand rays as the sun falls upon them. These apocalyptic beatitudes, seven in number, are collated with comments in chapter 22:14. One of these scintillating assurances mingled with ominous overtones is in this verse: “ Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” The warning words of verse fifteen are the interposition of another parenthetical beatitude comparable to chapter 1:3 and 14:13. A blessing is pronounced on all that watch, for God would come in these events as a thief. The phrase as a thief does not indicate the element of surprise, but rather of preparedness. Jesus gave the signs of these events in Matthew 24:25 : “ Behold, I have told you before” ; and in Verse 33, “ so likewise ye, when he shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” This same event must have been the object of Paul’ s exhortation to the Thessalonians, first epistle, chapter 5:1-4, in reference to “ the day of the Lord,” saying that they were “ not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief"-- that is, having knowledge of it, they would abide in preparation for the ominous events.