What does Revelation 3: 20 mean?
Introduction. The verse reads as follows: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
Jesus is presented as knocking. Jesus desires man's salvation (Matt. 11: 28-30). God does not want any to perish but all come to repentance (2 Pet. 3: 9). Jesus actively seeks men to come - he knocks on the door. Jesus knocks through his word, the gospel (Rom. 1: 16). The word draws men (John 6: 44,45). Appreciate the fact that Jesus asks permission to enter (knocks), he does not force his way in!
Man must allow Jesus entrance. Much of modern theology presents man as passive in his salvation and God (Holy Spirit) as overwhelming. Such a concept is foreign to the scriptures. Notice our verse, "...if any man hear my voice, and open the door...." Beloved, "if" suggests a condition, a requisite condition in our verse. Man must hear (Rom. 10: 17, Heb. 11: 6) and open the door. Man himself is even presented as knocking (Matt. 7: 7, 8).
Man's opportunity to be saved can depart. Jesus presented the Parable of the Ten virgins (Matt. 25: 1-13). Five were foolish and did not make provision to meet the bridegroom. Those who were ready, "went in with him" (the bridegroom is Christ). One of the saddest expressions in God's word occurs next regarding the five foolish virgins: "...and the door was shut" (Matt. 25: 10). The foolish were not allowed entrance (vss. 11-13).
Conclusion. Jesus is knocking on your door. However, you must allow him entrance into your heart (obey the gospel, Rom. 10: 16). Believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of your sins (John 8: 24, Acts 17: 30, 31, Rom. 10: 9, 10, Acts 2: 38). Be a member of Jesus' church (Acts 2: 47, KJV).
Jesus is presented as knocking. Jesus desires man's salvation (Matt. 11: 28-30). God does not want any to perish but all come to repentance (2 Pet. 3: 9). Jesus actively seeks men to come - he knocks on the door. Jesus knocks through his word, the gospel (Rom. 1: 16). The word draws men (John 6: 44,45). Appreciate the fact that Jesus asks permission to enter (knocks), he does not force his way in!
Man must allow Jesus entrance. Much of modern theology presents man as passive in his salvation and God (Holy Spirit) as overwhelming. Such a concept is foreign to the scriptures. Notice our verse, "...if any man hear my voice, and open the door...." Beloved, "if" suggests a condition, a requisite condition in our verse. Man must hear (Rom. 10: 17, Heb. 11: 6) and open the door. Man himself is even presented as knocking (Matt. 7: 7, 8).
Man's opportunity to be saved can depart. Jesus presented the Parable of the Ten virgins (Matt. 25: 1-13). Five were foolish and did not make provision to meet the bridegroom. Those who were ready, "went in with him" (the bridegroom is Christ). One of the saddest expressions in God's word occurs next regarding the five foolish virgins: "...and the door was shut" (Matt. 25: 10). The foolish were not allowed entrance (vss. 11-13).
Conclusion. Jesus is knocking on your door. However, you must allow him entrance into your heart (obey the gospel, Rom. 10: 16). Believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of your sins (John 8: 24, Acts 17: 30, 31, Rom. 10: 9, 10, Acts 2: 38). Be a member of Jesus' church (Acts 2: 47, KJV).