“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” ~Matthew 11:12 KJV
According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary the word violent is defined in four different ways: 1) marked by the use of usually harmful or destructive forces 2) caused by physical force or violence: not natural 3) emotionally agitated to the point of using harmful physical force 4) notably forceful, furious or vehement.
I find it very interesting how this verse has been interpreted and taught throughout the body of Christ. The teaching somehow suggests that we need to bombard the gates of heaven to get our way or ascertain the promises. For me, this seems to fly in the face of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:16 when he states, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves”.
Let me propose a very different explanation. Could it be that the violent Jesus is referring to are the wolves and not “ we the sheep”? After all, the bible does teach us that all the promises of God and Yes and Amen in Jesus. (2 Cor. 1:20) In Isaiah 30:15 The Sovereign Lord, The Holy One of Israel says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it”.
These verses seem to contradict the idea that we need to violently apprehend what has been freely given to us. Again Jesus says in John 10:1, “Truly truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door in the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.” This suggests that it is possible to access the promises of God in an illegal manner. This is what I think of when the “violent take it by force”.
I believe this is an important distinction to be made in the New Era/Age we are living in. Over the last few years and surely even more heading towards the future will we see many seeming to access the powers of “GOD” without coming through Jesus, the door.
But what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet forfeits his soul? (Mark 8:36) We are also warned to “see to it, then the light within you is not darkness”. So why does this matter to us, the body of Christ? We have come through the door. Two things.
First, when we “bombard” heaven are we not like the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel? They who did not know their god, who was in fact no god at all. When we perform to receive what He has feeling given us, it shows a lack of understanding His true nature. We too are worshipping a created image of the Most High. We must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Second, what makes it possible for the wolves, thieves and robbers to enter in? I believe in understanding this phenomenon, we will walk in a higher celebration of what the finished work of Jesus actually accomplished in our humanity and how we can better rest in Him and resist the devil. It will literally transform our minds. Also, we will have a love, compassion and answers for those who are searching for truth and have instead found a dark spirit posing as light.
I am interested in sharing the revelations the Lord has given me regarding our bodies as His temple. I believe that God has poured out his Spirit on all flesh and that we must listen to and be taught by some of the knowledge that is increasing in these last days. However, I further believe that the church has largely closed herself off from being taught, out of thinking we understand everything there is to know. This is of course foolishness and pride. As a biblicist, the word of God has final authority in my life, I just fear that we have misinterpreted much and have failed to be led of His Spirit.
On a final note. I am thankful that the Bible makes it clear “that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9), But it we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (vs. 10). In fact, “if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is NOT in us” (vs. 8)
Is it possible that by convincing themselves they are free from sin that the violent are able to enter in? Their consciences are falsely clear and the light in them is no light at all. As for us, we must gird ourselves in the full assurance that our consciences can absolutely be free from condemnation, shame and accusation. Because “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you. God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from ALL sin” (I John 1:5-7) .
As Image Bearers we all reflect a piece of God’s light. Perhaps if we listen and learn, while continuing to be led of the Spirit we can “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”. (Eph. 4:13). May what has been scattered be gathered again in this New Era.
Nina Lilley
Inclusions of Grandeur,LLC
January 16, 2020
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