Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the act of knocking at the door to gain admission to a house was a common practice, symbolizing a request for entry, hospitality, and fellowship. This practice is reflected in several passages throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both literal and metaphorical meanings.Old Testament Context While the Old Testament does not explicitly describe the act of knocking as a means of gaining entry, the concept of seeking permission to enter a dwelling is implicit in the cultural norms of hospitality. The ancient Near Eastern culture placed a high value on hospitality, and the act of knocking would have been understood as a respectful request for entry. New Testament Teachings The New Testament provides more explicit references to the act of knocking as a means of gaining entry. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the metaphor of knocking to illustrate the importance of persistence in prayer and seeking God's will: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). This passage emphasizes the assurance that those who earnestly seek God will be received and welcomed. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus further elaborates on this teaching with a parable about a friend who comes at midnight to ask for bread: "And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs" (Luke 11:7-8). This parable underscores the value of persistence and the expectation of eventual admission and provision. Revelation and the Call to Fellowship In the book of Revelation, the act of knocking is used as a powerful metaphor for Christ's invitation to fellowship and communion with believers. Jesus declares, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). This imagery conveys the intimate relationship that Christ desires with His followers, highlighting the importance of responding to His call. Cultural and Spiritual Implications The act of knocking at the door in biblical times was not merely a physical action but carried significant cultural and spiritual implications. It represented a request for hospitality, a desire for relationship, and an acknowledgment of the authority of the homeowner. Spiritually, it symbolizes the believer's approach to God, characterized by humility, persistence, and faith. In summary, the biblical concept of gaining admission to a house by knocking at the door serves as a rich metaphor for spiritual truths, illustrating the principles of persistence in prayer, the assurance of God's response, and the invitation to fellowship with Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 12:13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to listen, named Rhoda. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 3:20 Resources Is it wrong to live in nice houses (Haggai 1:4)? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian go to a haunted house? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens (Zephaniah 1:5)? | GotQuestions.org Houses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Houses in Cities, Built in Streets Houses of Brick or Clay: Easily Broken Through Houses of Brick or Clay: Often Swept Away by Torrents Houses of Brick or Clay: Plastered Houses of Criminals, Desolated Houses: (Building of) of Great Prosperity Houses: (Built and not Inhabited) of Calamity Houses: (Insecurity of) of Earthly Trust Houses: (On a Rock) the Hope of Saints Houses: (On Sand) the Delusive Hope of Hypocrites Houses: (To Inhabit Those, Built by Others) Abundant Feelings Houses: Accessible from the Outside Houses: Admission To, Gained by Knocking at the Door Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Ceiled and Painted Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Hung With Rich Tapestries Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Inlaid With Ivory Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Large and Airy Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Warmed With Fires Houses: Built of Hewn or Cut Stone Houses: Built of Stone and Wood Houses: Custom of Fastening Nails, in Walls of, Alluded To Houses: Deep and Solid Foundations Required For Houses: Desolation of, Threatened As a Punishment Houses: Divided Into Apartments Houses: Doors of, How Fastened Houses: Doors of, Low and Small for Safety Houses: Entered by a Gate or Door Houses: had often Detached Apartments for Secrecy and for Strangers Houses: had often Several Stories Houses: Law Respecting the Sale of Houses: Often Broken Down to Repair City Walls Before Sieges Houses: Often Built on City Walls Houses: Serpents often Lodged in Walls of Houses: Sometimes Built Without Foundation Houses: Street Windows of, High and Dangerous Houses: The Courts of, Large and Used As Apartments Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Booths on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Idolatrous Altars on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of Often Covered With Week Grass Houses: The Flat Roofs of Resorted to in Grief Houses: The Flat Roofs of Surrounded With Battlements Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Devotion Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Drying Flax Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Exercise Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Making Proclamations Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Secret Conference Houses: Upper Apartments of, the Best, and Used for Entertainments Houses: when Finished Were Usually Dedicated Related Terms |
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