Revelation 3:20

20 Lo! I stand at the door, and knock; if any man heareth my voice, and openeth the gate to me [if any man shall hear my voice, and open the gate], I shall enter to him, and sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock
The phrase of standing at the door may be expressive of the near approach, or sudden coming of Christ to judgment, see ( James 5:9 ) ; and his knocking may signify the notice that will be given of it, by some of the immediate forerunners and signs of his coming; which yet will be observed but by a few, such a general sleepiness will have seized all professors of religion; and particularly may intend the midnight cry, which will, in its issue, rouse them all:

if any man hear my voice;
in the appearances of things and providences in the world:

and open the door;
or show a readiness for the coming of Christ, look and wait for it, and be like such that will receive him with a welcome:

I will come unto him, and sup with him, and he with me;
to and among these will Christ appear when he comes in person; and these being like wise virgins, ready, having his grace in their hearts, and his righteousness upon them, he will take them at once into the marriage chamber, and shut the door upon the rest; when they shall enjoy a thousand years communion with him in person here on earth; when the Lamb on the throne will feed them with the fruit of the tree of life, and lead them to fountains of living water, and his tabernacle shall be among them.

Revelation 3:20 In-Context

18 I counsel thee to buy of me burnt gold, and proved, that thou be made rich, and be clothed with white clothes, that the confusion of thy nakedness be not seen; and anoint thine eyes with a collyrium, that thou see. [+I counsel thee, to buy of me gold fired, and proved, that thou be made rich, and be clothed with white clothes, that the confusion, or shame, of thy nakedness appear not; and anoint thine eyes with a collyrium, that is, a medicine for eyes, made of diverse herbs, that thou see.]

19 I reprove, and chastise whom I love; therefore follow thou good men, and do penance. [I whom I love, reprove and chastise; love thou therefore, and do penance.]

20 Lo! I stand at the door, and knock; if any man heareth my voice, and openeth the gate to me [if any man shall hear my voice, and open the gate], I shall enter to him, and sup with him, and he with me.

21 And I shall give to him that shall overcome, to sit with me in my throne, as also I overcame, and sat with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath ears, hear he, what the Spirit saith to the churches.