Spiritual Meaning of REVELATION 3:20
Be ye like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately (Luke 12:36).
That "door" signifies admission and entrance, may be seen in (n. 176).
. If any one hear my voice, and open the door, signifies he who believes in the Word and lives according to it. "To hear His voice," is to believe in the Word, for the Divine truth of the Word is "the voice of Jehovah" (n. 37, 50); and "to open the door" is to live according to it, because the door is not opened, and the Lord received, by merely hearing the voice, but by living according to it, for the Lord says:--He that hath My commandments, and doeth them, I will manifest Myself to him, and I will come unto him and make an abode with him (John 14:21-24).
That man ought to open the door as from himself, by shunning evils as sins, and doing goods, is shown in The Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem; and that this is the case, is also evident from the Lord’s words here, "If anyone open;" as also from His words in (Luke 12:36).
. I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me, signifies that the Lord joins Himself with them and them with Himself. "To come in and sup with him," signifies to join Himself to him, and, since there must be a reciprocal that there may be conjunction, it is also said, "and he with Me." That to be conjoined is signified by "coming in and supping," appears from the Holy Supper instituted by the Lord, by means of which the Lord‘s presence is effected with those who hear His voice, that is, who believe in the Word, but there is conjunction with those who live according to the Word; to live according to the Word is to do the work of repentance, and to believe in the Lord. "To sup," and "the Lord’s Supper," are mentioned, because supper takes place in the evening, and by "the evening" is signified the last time of the church; therefore when the Lord departed out of the world, the last time of the church being then arrived, He supped with His disciples, and instituted the Sacrament of the Supper. That "evening" signifies the last time of the old church and "morning" the first of the New Church may be seen in (n. 151). REVELATION 3:20 previous - next - text - summary - Revelation - Full Page
| Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). | Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. | www.BibleMeanings.info |