SEVEN CHURCHES
4. THE PROMISE (3:20-22)
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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 dine with him, and he with Me. 3:20 Christ follows His call to repentance with a gracious invitation to anyone inside the church who is listening for His voice and opens the door, Christ is willing to come into him and dine with him forever. In the meantime, Christ is now outside the church, asking for anyone who will open the door to him. It is either Christ asking people to come outside the apostate church to Him, or He is waiting for some inside the church to be willing to invite Him in. From all appearances, this is a totally unsaved “church” that is pictured here. The verb tense nuances are interesting: Christ is continually “knocking” (present tense), for anyone who at one time hears (aorist tense) and at one time opens (aorist tense) the door, Christ will certainly come in (future tense). The verb “sup” or “dine” (deipneo) refers to the last meal of the day before night falls, symbolical of the coming judgments to be announced. Reflection: Is this a good verse for explaining how to be saved? Explain
3:21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 3:21 The overcomer is promised a share in the glory of Christ’s throne and a joint-reign with Christ in the millennium reign (Rev 20). This privilege is beyond comprehension or description. Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18 NKJ). Those who follow Christ in His humility, rejection and suffering will likewise share with Him in His glory. What privileges for the true believer! They make any suffering now as inconsequential and any embarrassment we might feel as absurd. Reflection: Can you see how this promise would motivate a true believer to be bold, faithful and courageous in extending the kingdom? How does it affect you?
5. CONCLUSION 3:22
3:22