Note about this post: There is a great debate about this verse. The original intention of this study was to identify and describe the main viewpoints about this verse. It was to be kept to a short summary of no more than two double-spaced pages. So there was not a lot of room to go into great detail as many commentators do.
In the end, both viewpoints have their merits. From my own learnings and readings about this verse, most will see this invitation to believers who have grown cold. For what it is worth, which is really nothing, I appear to be in the minority based on what I see and learned from the professors at DTS. Most in my own class seemed to follow the believer’s interpretation as well. But, I want to share with you what I learned.
Revelation 3:20 is a verse that has long been used to lead someone to the Lord. This verse helps the lost see that Jesus is knocking on the door of their hearts wanting to come in, but they must answer the door. If they open the door and invite Jesus in, they will be saved. However, there are many that do not believe this verse is a gospel invitation, but an invitation to a believer to abide in Christ. This paper will examine the two views, their arguments, and provide support for the nonbeliever interpretation as ultimately this view better fits the surrounding context and remains consistent with John’s writings.
The believer interpretation sees this verse as a basic application to the believer. Christ is appealing to the Laodicean church for fellowship and communion. Christ was outside the church because their love for Him had grown cold. Verse 19a describes God’s plan to chasten the church as proof of His love (cf. Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6). Next, verse 19b shows the church had to repent of their pride and humble themselves before the Lord.[1] Christ spoke and appealed to the individual, “if any man,” reminding the church that God can do great things through one dedicated believer.[2] The Laodiceans were independent and prideful, not abiding in Christ and drawing their power from Him (John 15:1-8). Thus, this verse pictures Christ seeking entrance into his own church (Rev 3:14) for the purpose of renewed fellowship.[3] With Christ on the outside, there can be no fellowship; but, with Christ inside, there is fellowship and a sharing of the grace of God. For those who respond to the invitation, Christ promises them that they will sit with Him on His throne and share His victory.[4]
The believer’s interpretation sees the context making it improbable that this refers to (phileo) in verse 19a is never used of God/Jesus loving unbelievers in the NT.[5] The “therefore” connects the two parts of verse 19 indicating that the Laodiceans are to repent because God loves them.6
The nonbeliever interpretation sees this verse referring to nonbelievers for three main reasons. First, the context in verses 16-18 seems to indicate that the people are lost. In John’s writings, blindness portrays “lostness” (John 9:39-41; 12:40).[6] Similarly, nakedness illustrates a lack of righteousness (Rev 7:13-14; 22:14). The phrase, “I will vomit you out of my mouth,” supports the argument that they were not believers. Second, verse 20 is more of an invitation than a reproof.[7] While phileo (v. 19) is only used of God loving believers, this could merely be an indication that there are some saved people in the congregation. These saved people He will reprove indicating His love. The term “knock” is a display of Christ desire for the sinner’s salvation (cf. Song 5:2). If He did not knock first, nonbelievers would never come to knock on His door.[8] Third, this verse parallels the invitation in John 14:23. Also, the meal in verse 20 is the present fellowship culminating in the messianic banquet (Isa 25:6).[9] Most likely the “dine” meal has the Kingdom in view.11
Both interpretations have their strengths and weaknesses and there does not appear to be a clear answer to this debate. While many commentators take this verse to refer to believers plus the arguments concerning phileo; the context of the verse, the invitation of “knock,” and the parallels in John’s gospel, make a stronger argument for the nonbeliever interpretation.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: Nelson, 1999.
Toussaint, Stanley. “Module 6 – Video 9: 1 John 4:7-5:21.” Lecture, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX, accessed September 24, 2016.
Wallace, Daniel. “Revelation 3:20 and the Offer of Salvation.” Bible.Org. 2004. Accessed
November 28, 2016. https://bible.org/article/revelation-320-and-offer-salvation
Walvoord, John F. “Revelation.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2, 925-991. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985.
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol 2. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1996), 296.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Nelson, 1999), 1741.
[4] John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 942.
[5] Daniel Wallace, “Revelation 3:20 and the Offer of Salvation,” Bible.Org, 2004, accessed November 28, 2016, https://bible.org/article/revelation-320-and-offer-salvation 6 Ibid.
[6] Stanley Toussaint, “Module 8 – Video 13: Revelation 3:14-21,” (lecture, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX, accessed September 24, 2016).
[7] Ibid
[8] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 563.
[9] Toussaint, “Module 8 – Video 13: Revelation 3:14-21”. 11 Ibid.