Revelation 3:20 Reclaimed
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.
Revelation 3:20
Who is this? And what is she doing?
Many decorate their houses, Bibles, and key rings with this picture of a woman with a beard. The verse is used in thousands of churches, jails, and hospitals as candy for sinners to let Jesus into their heart to be saved and not go to hell. It may be the most abused verse in the Bible, for the artists and the preachers do not have a clue about its meaning or purpose. This short document is to return this text to its rightful owners – believing saints of the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, Jesus does not look anything like the hermaphrodite or transvestite in the picture. It is a shame for a man to have long hair (I Cor 11:14)! Jesus had short hair, no matter what Catholic artists paint! But Satan wants to degrade and shame Jesus with such pictures. Remember! Satan has his own Jesus, spirit, and gospel (II Cor 11:3-4). But the word of God exalts a very different Jesus! One that Satan and his devils fear! John clearly described Jesus before and after this verse (Rev 1:12-18; 19:11-16). But men reject truth to adore a Catholic vision of a fairy godmother.
| Satan’s She-Man Jesus | The Lord Jesus Christ |
| Brown hair | White hair (Rev 1:14) |
| Blue eyes | Eyes of fire (Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12) |
| Brown face and head | White face and head (Rev 1:14) |
| Mouth: closed | Mouth: two-edged sword (Rev 1:16; 2:12; 19:15) |
| Appearance: dull and boring | Appearance: as the strongest sun (Rev 1:16) |
| On his head: nothing | On his head: many crowns (Rev 19:12) |
| Facial appearance: a sad loser | Facial appearance: terrible Judge (Rev 19:12; 20:11) |
| Voice: effeminate whimper | Voice: trumpet and ocean (Rev 1:10, 4:1; 14:2) |
| Color of garment: off white | Color of garment: red with blood (Rev 19:13) |
| Girdle: none | Girdle: golden girdle around chest (Rev 1:13) |
| Feet: hidden | Feet: like burning brass (Rev 1:15; 2:18) |
| Effect on those present: pity | Effect on those present: fear (Rev 1:17) |
| Intimidation factor: 0% | Intimidation factor: 100% |
| Transportation: walks | Transportation: white horse (Rev 19:11) |
| Main activity: sleeping | Main activity: judging and making war (Rev 19:11) |
| Name: person upstairs | Name: Faithful, True, Word of God (Rev 19:11-13) |
| Title: beggar | Title: King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16) |
| Keys: none | Keys: of hell and of death (Rev 1:18) |
| At doors: knocks and begs | At doors: opens without resistance (Rev 3:7) |
Second, Jesus does not knock at the heart’s door of sinners. He never has, and he never will. When He wants to save a man, He calls him to eternal life by His life-giving voice (John 5:25). Sinners can no more resist than did Lazarus (John 11:43-44) or will all dead bodies in the last day (John 5:28-29). If He asked sinners to open, no man would be saved (Ps 14:1-3; Rom 3:9- 18). He forcibly and sovereignly regenerates sinners by His own power (John 1:13; 3:8; 5:21). The great God does not ask or beg sinners to cooperate with Him: He raises them from spiritual death with the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead (Eph 1:19-20; 2:1).
Third, the words in this verse are for the church at Laodicea, not sinners in L.A. (Rev 3:14-22). The words were for those with ears to hear, not those needing ears (John 8:43,47). This section of Revelation has the words of Jesus Christ to the pastors of seven churches of Asia. The church of the Laodiceans was self-confident and self-righteous. Jesus rebuked them for their lukewarm condition and haughty spirit, and He described them as being spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked! They needed a personal relationship with Him for true spiritual riches.
Fourth, the benefit offered by Jesus in the verse is fellowship, not salvation from hell. The Lord Jesus Christ offered the members of this church His personal presence for spiritual communion and fellowship, not regeneration or justification. These saints were already saved from hell as much as they could be; but they were living a miserable existence without a personal relationship with Christ. This offer was the fellowship and joy that John described elsewhere (I John 1:1-10).
Men corrupted God’s word in Paul’s day (II Cor 2:17). And they corrupt Revelation 3:20 today to present Satan’s Jesus and defraud saints of spiritual vitality. If you are one of God’s elect, which is easily known by faith and good works (I Thess 1:2-4; II Pet 1:5-11), then this verse is a precious offer of personal communion with Jesus Christ (John 14:21,23). Humble yourself before Him; beg for His presence in your life; He will bless you by His Spirit (Eph 3:14-19).
For more information, here is a detailed exposition of Revelation 3:20.