Revelation 3:20 (In Context)

(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 eat with him, and he with me."  (ESV)

This verse is often interpreted as Jesus knocking at the door of a person's heart trying to come in.  But this is actually an example of bad theology being read into the text.  

Revelation 3:20 is part of the letter written to the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).  Revelation Chapters 2-3 contain letters written to seven churches.  Laodicea is the only one that is not commended by Jesus for anything.  Jesus rebukes the church telling them they are neither hot or cold but lukewarm.  He then tells them he will spit them out of his mouth.  

The Laodiceans were not hot or cold, they would not reject Jesus outright or embrace him with zeal.  They were complacent and maybe just nominal Christians.  Jesus says he will spit them out of his mouth, in other words this kind of "Christianity" makes Jesus sick.  The church at Laodicea is told to be zealous and repent.  




In Revelation 3:20 Jesus is pictured as standing outside of the church knocking at the door.  If anyone there has true, saving faith he will hear his voice and open the door for his Lord and Master.  Then Jesus will come in and have fellowship with him.

The common interpretation of Jesus knocking at the door of someones heart wanting to come in simply does not fit the context.  This actually comes from bad theology being read into the text.  It has Jesus trying to save people but often failing to do so.  It presents Jesus as being unable to bring about the salvation of some people because they will not let him.  Think about that, you have humans not letting the Sovereign Lord accomplish something.  This is absurd and not Biblical.  God's sovereign will cannot be thwarted by humans.  He is sovereign even in salvation.  Jesus is the Sovereign Lord who accomplishes salvation for his people and never fails.  He saves all that the Father gives him (see John 6:37).