MATTHEW 11:12 KJV
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
I remember the first time I heard a Pastor preach on this verse, it didn’t make sense to me then but I didn’t want to ask about it. I know now that his interpretation was not on point.
I think I got it! It seems the word “violence” and “violent” are different forms of the same word. Yes, I had to go to my “Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary”!
What is violence? Strongs #971
Greek Word: βιάζωWhat is violent?
Transliteration: biazō; Phonetic Pronunciation: bee-ad'-zo
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Press, Violence, Violent, Violently
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: suffer violence 1, press 1, [Total Count: 2]
from(bia); to force, i.e. (reflex.) to crowd oneself (into), or (passive) to be seized :- press, suffer violence.
Greek Strong's Number: 973As I am reading this, I interpret it as: Violent people take things violently and my mind quickly thinks of Chicago. In context Jesus is talking about the kingdom of heaven.
Greek Word: βιαστής;
Transliteration: biastēs; Phonetic Pronunciation: bee-as-tace'
Part of Speech: n m
Vine's Words: Violence, Violent, Violently
Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: violent 1 [Total Count: 1] from(biazo); a forcer, i.e. (figurative) energetic :- violent.
Where is the kingdom of heaven? It is here on earth as it is in heaven.
MATTHEW 10:7We are spiritual beings and we are to live spiritually, the kingdom of heaven is here. The violence Jesus talks about is a spiritual battle as well as a physical battle.
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
John the Baptist served as a trigger to Satan. John came to prepare the way for Jesus, sentenced to die, Jesus announced that John’s ministry was complete and the work of the Spirit of God was now activated. Jesus came to deliver God’s children from the bondage of sin and to re-establish our relationship with Father God. It is as if Matthew 11:12 marks the time in which Satan was forced to go all in and fight with every tool he had access to so that he could build his kingdom.
DANIEL 2:44
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
All over the world Satan has created kingdoms. He struggles to capture America, this is where the fight is. Many followers of Jesus have rejected the traditions of man found in many “churches” and are boldly going forth. We know that God’s children cannot co-exist with the children of the devil.
Matthew 11:12 tells us that Satan has infiltrated the kingdom of God and wants to take it over. Traditions have made God’s word ineffective (Mark 7:13) but those who know the word and live by the word know that there is a time in which we must fight back.
LUKE 22:36
Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
I find that the word of God has a lot to say about self-defense both physically and spiritually. The bottom line is this passive Christians are dying because they were not ready to defend themselves.
The Word of God warns us that the anti-Christ hates us and that those who do not follow Jesus cannot be trusted. You cannot co-exist! Satan’s days are numbered not because of how bad Satan is but because God said Jesus would return. Each Believer must decide: Fight for your blessings or die defeated.
NOTE: God will fight your battles so you don’t have to if you follow His directions. To many of us want to hold on to our stuff, our relationships and our lifestyles to go when He says go!
- written by Marsha L F Randolph
MY JOURNEY reflects the faith filled opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
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