“Behold, I Stand at the Door”

JESUS, IN HIS seven messages to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, refers to his Second Advent. In his first six messages he refers to his Second Advent as, “coming,” or, as a future event. However, it is only in his last letter to the Laodiceans that he refers to it as his ‘presence’, by using the expression: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.”—Rev. 3:20

The message of Jesus to the Laodiceans emphasizes the fact that he is finishing the activity of selecting his Bride. When this activity is completed, then the blessing of all the families of the earth will begin; first, by a resurrection of the dead, and then an educational activity concerning God’s purpose in giving his only begotten Son, so that whosoever would exercise belief in him “should not perish, but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16

Revelation 3:14-21 expresses his message to the Laodiceans. It reads: “Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and the true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” These words were addressed to the church of this period as a group.

Continuing, he is addressing individuals in the church, and it becomes an individual responsibility. “I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent of your sin.” The sin consisted of not believing and trusting in Christ Jesus.

“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.” This response results in an understanding of the Bible, God’s Word of truth. He continues, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.” (vss. 18-21) Some did not have the proper relationship and belief—or faith—in Jesus, when he knocked on the door of their hearts. The word ‘believe’, used in John 3:15,16, means ‘to entrust one’s spiritual well-being to Christ’; ‘to believe, commit, put in trust with’ Christ Jesus.

During the Gospel Age, Christ has been selecting and preparing members to become his Bride, and the door to this calling has not yet closed. The response to our Lord’s ‘knock’ is an individual matter, and only those who understand the complete reason why Jesus came into the world are able to respond.

The Apostle John wrote, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man [Jesus Christ] be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”—John 3:14-17

The ransom merit of Jesus is the basis for the church’s salvation now, and for the world of mankind in the future. (I Tim. 2:6; I John 2:2) As the Apostle Paul confirms, “Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”—I Cor. 15:21,22

All will have an opportunity to live forever, based upon developing a belief and faith in Christ.

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