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Answer
Through the apostle John in Revelation 2—3, Jesus addressed seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. These were personalized letters of guidance, correction, and support to the local congregations. To the final church, the lukewarm church in Laodicea, Jesus made this urgent appeal: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” «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. », (Revelation 3:20).
The concept of Jesus standing at a door and knocking is often used as an illustration of Jesus’ offer of salvation to individuals: if you would only “open your heart’s door” and let Jesus into your life, all will be well. However, in Revelation 3:20, Jesus is not imploring an individual to be saved; He is seeking entry into a church! It is concerning to imagine Jesus standing outside the church and knocking, but that was His position. The Laodicean church had closed the door on the Head of the church; they were complacent in their prosperity, while Jesus was left outside in the cold. He was an outsider to the hearts of the entire congregation.
Most of the seven letters included a commendation, a complaint or rebuke, a command, and a promise from Jesus. Yet, the church of Laodicea, like their spiritually lifeless counterpart in Sardis, did not receive any words of approval from Jesus. The Laodiceans were guilty of self-reliance, self-righteousness, and spiritual apathy. What’s more, the church was oblivious to their deplorable state.
To the assembly in Laodicea, Jesus delivered this harsh rebuke: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So
, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked’” (Revelation 3:15-17).
In their proud, self-satisfied, and spiritually blind state, the church of Laodicea was useless in God’s kingdom. Using figurative language, Jesus issued His command, beckoning the members of the church to exchange their counterfeit righteousness for genuine righteousness «I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. », (Revelation 3:18). He called the church to be zealous and repent (verse 19).
Christ’s appeal was heartfelt and urgent: “Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me” «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. », (Revelation 3:20, NET). The Lord’s plea was also personal. He spoke to individuals using singular words like anyone, his, him, and he. He was inviting everyone in the church to experience intimate fellowship with Him. And even though His desire was for the whole church to respond and open the door to Him, ultimately it was up to the individual to decide.
Jesus knows that not everyone will answer His invitation and open the door to a relationship with Him. Many, like those living in Laodicea, will choose to reject His call. Lukewarm, andWith hardened hearts, they will remain blind to the fact that they have accepted a false righteousness (Hebrews 3:7-8). Jesus will say to these individuals, “I never knew you, depart from me” (Matthew 7:21-23). Sadly, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
During His ministry on earth, Jesus went to great lengths to demonstrate that righteousness comes to us as a gift through faith alone. Having Christ’s righteousness, by grace through faith, is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven (Romans 3:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:4-8).
When Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock,” He was inviting the members of the Laodicean church to recognize their miserable spiritual condition and receive His authentic gift of salvation. Like the apostle Paul, the Laodiceans needed to realize their absolute dependence on Christ: “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ— the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:8-9).
To those who would open the door, Jesus promised a close fellowship, pictured as enjoying a meal together. And He offered this great reward: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” «To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. »,(Revelation 3:21). These words were Christ’s commitment to the Laodicean church.
Today, Jesus continues to say, “I stand at the door and knock!” To churches that are filled with nominal Christians, He extends His earnest invitation for full fellowship. The One who holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 3:7) calls us all to listen to His voice and open the door so that He can come in and share an intimate union with us. For those who respond, Jesus Christ guarantees the open door of eternal life and the reward of reigning with Him in heaven.
