Still Knocking After All These Years
In the early 1970s Debby Kerner wrote a song “Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock” based on this verse in Revelations:
I thought of that song a few days ago as I was reading through Revelation, and the thing that struck me was that this verse is part of the message to the church of Laodicea. Alone of all the churches, there is no commendation for Laodicea – only condemnation. And that condemnation is brief – when there’s nothing good to say, the bad needs no qualification.
But then … comes this marvelous verse, and it is to the un-commended Laodiceans that the verse is addressed. Following blanket dismissal comes this chance of redemption – even now there is still time to change, time to listen, time to open the door, time to conquer.
(As an aside: I bought the record (Come Walk With Me – it’s available at Amazon.com and looks to be a collector’s item at this point) in the mid-1970s – it’s copyrighted 1972, but I know that song was on the first record produced by Maranatha in 1971 (some interesting notes on the discography here for all those of you who were into the ‘Jesus Scene’ in the 1970s!) )
Dave Travis
Rose
Thanks for this great synopsis. (BTW, “No Name” near bottom of your list was Mel Lawrenz, Elmbrook...
Jon Reid
I’ve always thought it quite ironic that this verse is so often used in evangelism, directed at people who don’t yet know the Lord, and yet the original recipients of the words were already Christians…a sobering reminder and warning that I can at times have my door closed to intimate fellowship with the Lord even thought I am already His.
PS Thanks for the link to the Maranatha Records Discography… boy, does that bring back memories!!! ~ 1972 Jesus Freak