Rev. 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, etc.,” has been supposed to teach that Jesus knocks by His Spirit at the door of sinners’ hearts, but can obtain no entrance unless they are willing to admit Him.
“Behold! A stranger’s at the door!
He gently knocks, has knock’d before;
Has waited long; is waiting still;
You treat no other friend so ill.
“Admit Him, ere His anger burn,
His feet depart, and ne’er return:
Admit Him, or the hour’s at hand
When at His door denied you’ll stand.”
That the text will not bear this interpretation is, however, evident; for (1) It is not addressed to the unconverted, nor does it refer to them at all. It is part of an epistle sent through its pastor to the church at Laodicea. (2) The end proposed is not salvation from the punishment of sin, but supping with Christ, which refers to communion with Him, and partaking of His flesh and blood by faith. (3). The persons referred to are therefore regenerated, and the text is an appeal to life and intelligence previously imparted. The church was in a low and lukewarm state, and showed but little regard to the glory of the Redeemer. But He had not forgotten them, and assures them, that though the Assembly as a whole had proved faithless, any individuals among them who might be stirred up to seek nearer fellowship with Him, would find Him graciously inclined to draw nigh to them in near and endeared fellowship (compare Song 5:2-5).
“Behold! A stranger’s at the door!
He gently knocks, has knock’d before;
Has waited long; is waiting still;
You treat no other friend so ill.
“Admit Him, ere His anger burn,
His feet depart, and ne’er return:
Admit Him, or the hour’s at hand
When at His door denied you’ll stand.”
That the text will not bear this interpretation is, however, evident; for (1) It is not addressed to the unconverted, nor does it refer to them at all. It is part of an epistle sent through its pastor to the church at Laodicea. (2) The end proposed is not salvation from the punishment of sin, but supping with Christ, which refers to communion with Him, and partaking of His flesh and blood by faith. (3). The persons referred to are therefore regenerated, and the text is an appeal to life and intelligence previously imparted. The church was in a low and lukewarm state, and showed but little regard to the glory of the Redeemer. But He had not forgotten them, and assures them, that though the Assembly as a whole had proved faithless, any individuals among them who might be stirred up to seek nearer fellowship with Him, would find Him graciously inclined to draw nigh to them in near and endeared fellowship (compare Song 5:2-5).
