Hermeneutic Report

Revelation 3:20 “I stand at the door and knock”

Jason Chislom
Disciple Makers Academy •Sugar Creek Church of Christ • March 18, 2011

Jason Chislom • Jchislom@hotmail.com: • Disciple Makers Academy 1

 Jason Chislom

(Rev. 3:20) What is meant by “I stand at the door and Knock”?

The Hermeneutical topic at hand comes from the book of Revelation chapter three

and verse twenty. The question is, What is meant by the phrase, “I stand at the

door and knock”? My task is to briefly explain what this passage is trying to

convey as Jesus Christ speaks.

As I began this hermeneutical journey, I first took a moment to pray to God for his

guidance in my study, as the book of Revelation can be a somewhat challenging

book to study. Secondly, I needed to understand a few key things so that I could

set the stage for my study and get a clear picture of what it is that is taking place

in and around this passage.

Who, When, Where?

The who or who(s) in the case of this particular book would be The apostle John,

who was the Author of the book of Revelation and Jesus Christ who was speaking

in this particular passage. John writes this to the seven churches in asia and

believers everywhere in about 95 A.D. in order to fully reveal the identity of

Christ and give a message of warning and hope to believers everywhere. It is said

that John was writing the book of Revelation during a time of persecution for the

seven churches of asia by the Emperor Domitian. In the first three chapters Jesus
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addresses the different churches of asia with a specific message for each. In the

passages preceding verse twenty, Christ begins to speak to the church of Laodicea.

He speaks of The Church being neither hot nor cold but lukewarm. Historical

studies show that Laodicea was known for it’s wealth and jesus tells them of their

haughty attitude and dangerously independent mindset due to their financial

position. Jesus implores the church at Laodicea to buy their gold from him and

anoint their eyes with salve so that they can see the light and truly be rich. This

references heavenly riches over earthly riches. Finally, the story moves into verse

twenty, where Jesus said “behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears

my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with

me.” In this verse as the Laodiceans are enjoying all of their earthly pleasures and

living without God, Jesus is knocking on the door of their hearts waiting for an

invitation to come in. The Laodiceans felt self -satisfied, but they did not have the

presence of Christ among them. This Scripture can certainly draw an even parallel

to our lives as Christians today. As we strive towards the achievement of success

by societal standards, we are allowed to obtain things. We get caught up in the

trappings of this world and begin to get complacent when it comes to Gods word.

Just like the Laodaceans, we become self-satisfied and self-serving Leaving God

as an afterthought. As in all of God’s word, this scripture articulates a simple yet

powerful message to Christians then and now. That message is, that God is

displeased with “lukewarm” Christians we should either be hot or cold and

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secondly, all of the riches in the world have no comparison to the riches offered to

us in heaven if we just open the door and let Jesus in.

SOURCES

• Life Application study Bible (King James Version)

• Standard Holy Bible (king James Version)