Jesus invites everyone in the church to experience an intimate fellowship with Him. He desires that the whole church respond and open the door to Him, but ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide.

Jesus knows that not everyone will answer His invitation and open the door to a relationship with Him. Many, like those living in Laodicea, will choose to reject His call. They will remain blind to the fact that they have accepted false righteousness and will continue to be lukewarm with hardened hearts. Sadly, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus demonstrated that righteousness comes to us as a gift through faith alone. Having Christ’s righteousness by grace through faith is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven.

When Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock,” He was inviting the members of the Laodicean church to recognize their miserable spiritual condition and receive His authentic gift of salvation. Like the apostle Paul, the Laodiceans must realize their absolute dependence on Christ.

To those who would open the door, Jesus promised a close fellowship, pictured as enjoying a meal together. And He offered this great reward: “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Today, Jesus continues to say, “I stand at the door and knock!” To churches filled with nominal Christians, He sends out His earnest invitation for full fellowship. The One who holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven calls us all to hear His voice and open the door so that He can come in and share an intimate union with us. To those who respond, Jesus Christ guarantees the open door of eternal life and the reward of ruling with Him in heaven.