Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”, and in chapter eleven and verse twelve of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told the multitudes, “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence” where we read:
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent take it by force.
The verse reads, “ And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and from the days” which means “and from the time and origin” “of John the Baptist” or “pertaining to John the Baptist” “until now” which means “till the present moment and time” “the kingdom” which refers to “the royal power, kingship and dignity” “of heaven” or “pertaining to the region above the sidereal heavens, where the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “suffers violence” which means “uses and inflicts force”. Matthew shared how the “Kingdom of Heaven” applies force upon the world.
The verse goes on to say, “... and the violent take it by force.” Matthew continued with the words, “and the violent” which means “and the strong, forceful and energetic” “take it” or “seize, carry off by force and claim for one's self eagerly” “by force” which means “through and by means of seizing, carrying off, claiming and snatching out or away”. Matthew shared how Jesus told the crowd there are “strong and energetic” forces that come against the “kingdom of heaven”.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how there are opposing forces at work in the world concerning the “kingdom of heaven”. God's “kingdom” came into the world through Jesus Christ with the announcement of John the Baptist, and it forcefully engaged the “kingdom of darkness” that held people in their sin. This “violent” force resists the “kingdom of God” and thereby causes “war” in the spiritual world. God shall prevail, and mankind will be “saved” through His Son Jesus if they will only “believe and trust in” Him. Let all who are engaged in this battle yield themselves to Jesus Christ who has prevailed against any and all “forces” that come against Him.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus shares how, “all the prophets and the law prophesied until John”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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