Revelation 3:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

God also allows us to be kings of the earth, so that we may reign over the earth and command our own flesh.

As the Apostle says: "Let not sin reign in your mortal body" (Rom 6:12).

And elsewhere it is written: "The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord" (Prov 21:1).

Was the heart of Julian the persecutor in the hand of God? Was Saul's heart in the hand of God?

Was Ahab's heart in the hand of God? Were the hearts of all the ungodly kings of Judah in the hand of God?

You see that a literal understanding cannot be in question here.

Thus, the kings here are the saints. Their heart is in the hand of the Lord.

Let us pray to God that we may be kings and rule our flesh, so that it may obey us.

My presence is not coercive, for I knock at the door of the heart and rejoice with those who open it over their salvation. This salvation is food and supper. I am nourished by the same thing that nourishes them, satisfying the hunger for hearing the word of God (Amos 8:11) and driving away the darkness of error.

Certainly, if an earthly king or some head of a household invited you to his birthday, with what garments would you try to adorn yourself? Would they not be new, refined, and shining, so that neither their age, cheapness, nor ugliness would offend the eyes of the one who invited you? Therefore direct all your efforts, as far as you can with Christ's help, so that your soul may come to the feast of the Eternal King. That is, to the birthday of the Lord and Savior. Let it be formed from the varied adornments of the virtues, adorned with the precious stones of simplicity and the flowers of moderation. Let it come with a peaceful conscience, shining with purity, radiant with love and sincere self-offering.

The Lord shows Himself gentle and peaceful. For the devil, according to the word of the prophet, breaks down with axe and hatchet (Ps. 73:6) the doors of those who do not receive him. But the Lord, both here and in the Song of Songs, says to the bride: "Open to Me, My sister, My beloved" (Song 5:2). If anyone opens to Him, He will enter. The meal with the Lord signifies the reception of the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood.

As grievous and bitter as it is to feel God's wrath, so consoling and favorable it is to perceive His goodness and mercy in one's heart.

This surpasses beyond comparison every joy and sweetness of this world.

As a naturally fair and fragrant rose is more excellent and pleasing than one made from some other material, or painted by a painter's skill, so the least taste of God's goodness is far better and more gladdening than every delight and consolation of this world.

This is the sweet "supper" that Christ promises to set before the one who hears His voice and opens the doors of his heart.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."

St. Macarius of Egypt writes: "If anyone says, 'I am rich; I have already acquired enough; I need nothing more,' such a man is not a Christian, but a vessel of delusion and of the devil.

For the enjoyment of God is insatiable. The more one tastes and eats of Him, the more hungry one becomes.

Such people possess an irresistible burning and love for God. The more they strive to make progress and advance, the more they regard themselves as poor, as needy and possessing nothing.

This is what they say: 'I am unworthy that this sun should shine upon me.' This is the mark of Christianity: humility."

It lies before us to ask forgiveness of God, to be reconciled with Him, and by faithfulness to Him to blot out unfaithfulness.

We must replace friendship with sin by hatred of sin.

Holy love belongs to those who have been reconciled.

We do not seek it so much as God seeks that we become capable of receiving it and actually receive it.

After reproving the man who, through self-opinion and blindness, was satisfied with himself, and after calling him to zealous repentance, the Lord pronounced this consolation and promise.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

To the Church of Laodicea in Phrygia, whose members did not regard their Christian duties with sufficient seriousness, the Lord addresses Himself as the embodied affirmation of the truth of His words: the Amen, the faithful and true Witness.

He also speaks as One Who is Himself able to fulfill every threat He has uttered against those who forget His commandments.

Describing the condition of the Laodicean Church, the Lord compares it to lukewarm water. Whoever takes it into his mouth involuntarily spits it out, because it produces a very unpleasant sensation.

It would have been better if the Laodiceans were cold, that is, if they had remained pagans. Then they might have been left in peace while their conversion was awaited.