Revelation 3:20

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20 NASB). In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation we find seven letters specifically written to seven churches. Our verse of focus is found in the seventh letter, the one to the church at Laodicea. This is a lukewarm church, like many churches today, in which Jesus is very displeased. This is a church filled with wealthy members who feel they have need of nothing and thus do not realize that they have great needs. As we read through the letter we will stop at the verse before ours.

Jesus says to them: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent.”  (Revelation 3:19 NASB). Who are those whom Jesus loves? Are they unsaved or believers? In Hebrews 12:6: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (ESV). This language would suggest these are believers, who like many in our churches today, are lukewarm in their relationship with the Lord. Before it is too late and they stand before the judgment seat of Christ, they are to repent of their sin and zealously live for the Lord.

If we look ahead to verse 21: “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21 NASB). What did Jesus overcome? He overcame the temptation to not continue down the road of suffering that would lead to his death on the cross. We are to overcome the temptation to not deny Jesus under persecution. Today, believers who are living under persecution are willing to suffer, go to prison and even die before they would deny Jesus. They demonstrate what it is to overcome.

Our verse seems to set in the context of belief and is thus referring to believers, not to those who are yet to be born again. Scripture supports the Father choosing those who will believe, who he gives to Jesus as a gift to receive eternal life. Jesus does not knock on the door of our heart to enter for salvation, but to encourage us to abide deeply in him in fellowship, thus removing the condition of lukewarmness. The condition of being lukewarm applies to believers not to unbelievers. Lukewarmness is seen in believers today who embrace comfort, safety and security over being obedient to Christ. Therefore, our verse is an example of one that is used out of context for the purpose of salvation when it should be used to challenge believers to suffer, if need be, to live godly lives.

Prayer

Father, as I prepare these lessons I have a growing concern over how pastors and teachers are improperly guiding those under their leadership. As they pick and choose verses and lift verses out of context to support their sermon topic or belief, they are developing a body of believers who don't know the Bible and are not willing to suffer for their faith. As a result, church growth in not taking place in America, but in countries where there is persecution. Here lukewarmness is settling in. Father, have mercy on us and if need be, bring persecution here to encourage us learn and obey the Scriptures.