By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Sir could you give an answer on Revelation. 3:20 is it for salvation or not?
(Revelation 3:20) 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.
Answer:
Revelation 3:20, is another one of those HIGHLY ABUSED verses that you see USED in Gospel Tracts, and Religious printed material. Although not as common as Romans 10:9, & 13 or Luke 13:5 but never the less MISSAPPLIED.
This is the verse that those who use the FALSE terminology “Ask Jesus into your Heart or Life” TRY to claim that supports that phraseology.
The WHOLE CONTEXT of Revelation 3:20 is based on FELLOWSHIP with the Lord Jesus NOT SALVATION.
In Verse 19 Christ is speaking to the Believers (saved) of the Church of Laodiceans – V14
(Revelation 3:19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
(Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
In V15 through V18 The Lord Jesus is REBUKING this Church for their LACK of zeal for the Gospel, Bible Doctrine, and Preaching “Thus Saith The Lord” and the Lord Jesus is also giving them STRONG CONDEMNATION for their COMPROMISE on the Gospel, Bible Doctrine, and LACK of taking a stand on “Thus Saith The Lord” for popularity rather than to be known in town as the church that WILL NOT get along with the other churches.
(Revelation 3:15-18) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) 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.
SADLY we live in the day of age where SOUND bible teaching is pretty much non exsistant, in other words the blind leading the blind.
(Matthew 15:14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
In V20 The Lord Jesus is WANTING fellowship, he is standing at the DOOR of the believers conscience and is KNOCKING (through the STUDY of the Word of God (Any man hear my Voice) – 2 Timothy 2:15) to get their attention in hopes that they will open the door of oppertunity to be used for his glory (SERVICE) and as the verse continues if the believer does, then the Lord Jesus will come in and sup with them (Will Use and fellowship with Them).
(2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The ONLY WAY that a Christian can be in FELLOWSHIP or of USE to the Lord is if the believer is in the WILL OF GOD.
In Conclusion:
Revelation 3:20 is ALL ABOUT having Fellowship and NONE ABOUT salvation, because the Audience that Jesus is addressing are ALREADY saved, no need for salvation, but rebuke and condemnation for their compromises and lack of usefulness for his purpose (to reach the Lost) and his glory (to stengthen in faith and mature in knowledge (in his Word) of all his children).
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH