Q: Matthew 11:12 talks about the kingdom of heaven suffering violence and I’ve heard it explained as meaning we’re to fight spiritual warfare to receive/maintain our blessings. Can you explain the verse theologically?
Q: Matthew 11:12 talks about the kingdom of heaven suffering violence and I’ve heard it explained as meaning we’re to fight spiritual warfare to receive/maintain our blessings. Can you explain the verse theologically?
A: Theologians and Biblical Scholars [alike] have concluded that this is one of the most controversial verses in sacred scripture, because Christendom does not think of Heaven as a place of violence.
The verse says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.”(Matthew 11:12)
Between Malachi (Hebrew Bible) and Matthew (Christian New Testament) – there is a time known as the “Intertestamental Period,” where basically,there was no word from the Lord, until the time of John the Baptist, and the start of Jesus’ earthy ministry – the fulfillment of Old Testament history, and prophecy.
When the scripture talks about “From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence;” it’s making reference to how John stirred things up among the religious leaders, and they verbally abused him, and even the King who physically abused him, when John told Herod, in Matthew 14:4, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” This scene, along with others caused him to be arrested, imprisoned, and eventually executed.
John was honored not only for being the forerunner of the Messiah (The Christ), but because of his tenacity to fight for spiritual truth. He proved that coming into the Kingdom is a violent act. Jesus later explained why in Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”
Jesus is telling us that “Self-Denial” is the violent act—the redirecting of EVERYTHING in our lives because of sin nature. We are so consumed in this country with SELF: Jesus said it best, when He said, “Denying self means to hate your father and mother and wife and children and brother and sister, even your own life (self-will), your own ambitions to become My disciple.
In conclusion, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and violent take it by force, simply means the fight to deny self. Victory over Satan and flesh; to enter the straight and narrow gate (Matthew 7) for the few that will be saved because of their violent fight to maintain true discipleship to Christ’s charge.
Comments (5)
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Himie Pickett
It is important to read the entire Matthew chapter 11 to understand the context of the verse under study. The first verses of this chapter talks about the historical setting surrounding John’s birth. What was happening at John’s birth? Answer: there was an edict to kill all of the males born. Herod who issued the edict was afraid a male child would be born that would supplant him as king. Furthermore, Satan knew the prophecy of Genesis 3:15. Satan wanted to kill the male children in order to stop the prophecy of Genesis 3:15. The killing off the males in John’s day was the violence in mention. However, John and Jesus escaped the violence because there was a mandate over their lives.
God bless!!!
Stevie Dickens
That was Awesome Dr. Mike. Great illustration!!
Lawrence. Brown
becauseif you remember in the Bible days Christians was sort out and captured and killed because of their belief there religion and the God that they serve now we look at modern day time Christians are being sort out once again by evil men if you remember in South Carolina that 9 people including the pastor of the church was sold out and killed we are living in the days which evil is rising but our weapon is always pray
Bernard Howard
Excellent
Jmjmclay
Excellent teaching. We need more of this, thank you.