Revelation about opening the door to our faith

There is a well-known picture that portrays Jesus standing at a door knocking.

In most renditions there is no door knob on the door. This seems to imply that the door can only be opened from the inside. What some may not realize is that the inspiration for this image comes from the Book of Revelation: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking: if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Although the Book of Revelation describes what would appear to be the end times, it was never intended to be seen as a book to predict the end of the world. It was written by John the Apostle at the height of Christian persecution (around AD 95.) offering words of hope and encouragement in the midst of despair. Never give up because if you remain faithful until death you will experience eternal life.

At that time in history, the worship of Caesar as a god had gained in popularity and spread throughout the Roman Empire. Each citizen was required to profess that Caesar was their Lord. Christians could not do that because they believed that only Christ was Lord. They followed their conscience and refused to conform.

As a result, they were persecut- ed and killed in great numbers; however, their faithful example gave life and growth to the Church. It has been said that “the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” (Tertullian, AD 197)

The Book of Revelation is filled with apocalyptic images that represent the persecuting power. Those hearing the words of John would take delight in the fact that in the end God would triumph over all persecutors and that those who were faithful would be vindicated.

It is addressed to seven churches around Asia Minor. In John’s vision, Jesus speaks directly to each church. The strongest words are directed to the Church of Laodicea, a banking centre that could boast of its great riches. The city was so wealthy that many of its inhabitants believed that they did not need God.

Tragically, Laodicea was so focused on wealth that it was blind to its poverty. It was poor because it refused to be enriched by Christ. When Jesus says that he is knocking on the door, he is speaking to the Church of Laodicea.

He wants the people to welcome him so that he can have a relationship with them. Jesus wants to share friendship, conversation, and nourish their souls. He hungers for their companionship and wants to offer what they need for this life and the next.

A few verses earlier, Jesus gives the reason why the door remains closed. “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:15-16) They are lukewarm Christians. They are ambivalent to the faith and make little effort to open their hearts to Christ.

Although almost two thousand years have passed, the words of Jesus are just as significant for us today as they were for the Church of Laodicea; for we can become complacent and have little enthusiasm for Christ and the faith we profess. We can close the door of our hearts.

We see in the Book of Revelation Christians who professed the faith at great risk to their lives and who were even prepared to die.

There is no question that they were committed to Christ. How committed are we?