I was picking my daughter up from after school club the other day, and my eye was caught by a van parked up by the entrance. It was your typical white company van, plastered with various bits of writing and imagery describing the companies business. Nothing unusual so far. Then I noticed a largish Icthus fish at the bottom of the rear doors, and it was accompanies by “Rev 3:20”. OK, I have no problem with people (and even a business in this case) displaying such symbols – after all I have a Darwin fish on the back of one car, and a T-Rex eating an Icthus on the back of the other. Even the reference to a Bible verse wasn’t really a problem, except I didn’t know what the verse was.
So, once I got home I looked it up. According to BibleGateway.com the KJV version reads:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
So… lets see. It appears to mean that they will wonder the streets randomly knocking on doors. If someone answers they’ll just walk in and start consuming the occupants food. They will at least be gracious enough to allow the resident of the recently invaded house to eat some of their own food whilst they do this. That seems like a very odd and not particularly neighbourly or moral act. Gives me yet another reason not to want to answer the door when these freeloading degenerates come knocking.
Isn’t it handy when people like this warn you up front of their poor judgement. Albeit by hiding behind an weird verse written by bronze age desert dwelling goat herders, translated and re-translated over and over again over the centuries. Don’t let that last bit worry you though, the Bible is after all the unchanging and inerrant perfect word of God!
Tags: Bible, Icthus, Revelations
** Taken out of context Rev 3:20 seems rather mild, but
No. With xians there’s always waving the stick, then demanding obedience (to church leaders), followed by the promise of a far-off reward.
And, the divine one gets really riled up.
Verses 14-22 are admonitions specifically addressed to the Church at Laodicea whose members show neither zeal nor rebellion: 16” . . . because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold— I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne. . . . Rev 3:16, 19-21 NIVUK
Verse 19 is just a minor riff on: those he loves he chastises. This is by no means a minor issue to xian apologists — see also Heb 12:6 It’s part of the (insurmountable) problem of (unmerited) punishment.
The Greeks dealt with the problem with the notion of inherited guilt — if the gods didn’t get around to dear ol’ Dad soon enough, the son will get lashed instead. The xians settled on the common idea that Dad’s behavior will be punished in the next life.
Moreover, the xian god does whatever he likes to whomever he wishes, including the good man — which was the message of long-suffering Job. The xians, jews, ancient greeks, were by no means humanitarians. And verse 20 shows Christ softening his tone only after his threats and your obedience, or if he really loves you he’ll apply a little discipline — yes, xianity is BDSM.
the anti_supernaturalist
hey, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work
To begin with, you have to desire to go to a Bible School, and you have to need to know and grow with your knowledge of, and relationship to, Christ. Schools also need a minimum era of 17 on admission day, and doing senior high school.