1. Revelation 16:15 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is wrong about going about naked and being seen exposed?

Revelation 16:15 (ESV)

15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Genesis 2:25 records how in their pre-fall condition “the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed”; they had nothing to hide from God’s holy eyes. Upon their fall into sin, they became aware of their nakedness and sought to hide themselves under loincloths and behind trees (Genesis 3:7–8). Being exposed represented exposing one's soul—now damnable before God. The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21), with the death of the animal whose skin became their garment foreshadowing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that atones for (= covers) sin. That deed of God in dressing Adam and Eve in turn foreshadowed what every Christian is instructed to do: put on the righteousness Christ obtained on the cross. Going about naked so as to display yourself (obviously outside of holy marriage) is to communicate that you have not taken your fall and depravity seriously so as to need Jesus Christ. On the great day of God the Almighty such a person will not experience being “blessed” (happy). It is to be noted that in the next chapter the Lord shows John the great prostitute (Revelation 17:1), who obviously celebrates her nakedness.