Each day I am inundated with news of violence, crime and use of force issues. This brings to mind an unusual verse in the bible that seems to be very difficult to interpret. Now some verses are straight forward and some are not. It is not to say that reading the Bible is without profit unless you are saved. As a matter of fact, just reading the Bible and what it "simply" says about man's sinful condition and God's redeeming plan of Salvation, can be easily understood by all! The Bible is both a book of Information and Transformation. If you are already saved (Thank God), then reading the Bible and not quite fully understanding it is still ok because theWord of God speaks to your Spirit to bring Transformation. It is done by not conforming or submitting to your sinful nature. God's righteousness, holiness, and ULTIMATE sacrifice can bring someone to salvation! Romans 12:2 NKJV And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Bible says what it says and means what it means:
Several people say, "The Bible says what it means and means what it says." Although that sounds good - it's no good! It simply is not true. The Bible says what it says and means what it means! Although there are many things God says to us that are just as He speaks or writes them, such as sin, redemption, holiness, grace, and mercy, there are deeper things. There are "hidden" things (knowledge) Deut 29:29 of the Bible. God says His word and ways are foolishness to the "natural" (sinful) man 1 Cor 2:14, 1 Cor 1:27. God reveals these things and gives understanding through His Spirit.
1Corinthins 2:10-13 NKJV
(10) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
(13) These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
I wrote all that to write this. The verse I am talking about is Mat 11:12 which talks about God's kingdom, violence, and force?
Matthew 11:12 NKJV
(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.
Many well known and respected men of God will say that they are not sure what this passage means. There are three common interpretations. By The Way, just because there are different interpretations of this verse doesn't negate God's Word in any way. There are many, many things about scripture we will never know this side of heaven, and just because we don't know doesn't diminish God in any way - it only proves to exalt Him more. With that said, here is my perspective.
Violence is a word that you can't get away from in society. Its use is almost always in the negative and so are most of its definitions. In Law Enforcement, we say: Violence is neither bad nor good, it just is! Police use greater violence to control violence. Force is a word that can be used in place of violence. We might agree that all violence involves force but not all force is violent. Granted the force used by police is controlled, lawful, and extremely scrutinized but it is violent and violence none the same.
Now you might say violence in any form is bad. Football is a very violent sport and yet we don't call it bad. The more you understand about the game the more violence plays into the game. We can agree or disagree on the use of the word, however, it is this perspective I want to use to address this scripture.
"From the days of John the Baptist" (not a denomination here), his days are about one proclaiming for all to repent.
Mat 3:1-2 NKJV
(1) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
(2) and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
People didn't like that message then and they don't like it today. They didn't like John proclaiming about it and Jesus fulfilling it! Why? Great question, because it means that "I" just can't do whatever I want, that there are consequences to my actions and choices, that some things are JUST PLAIN WRONG, and that I will have to give an account for what I do? OUUUUCH! I know that hurt but it is true.
"Kingdom of heaven suffers violence". We must always be careful about translating English words into our current times. This can mean to rush into or press ahead foolishly without counting the cost. Rush into what? Salvation. Counting what cost? Christian life or more accurately, repentance, and faith. When someone rushes into salvation they usually end up with a false conversion and a false view of Christ. This not only hurts them but Christianity also. Think of how many marriages in our country that were, rushed into, without or against Godly counsel, and how did they turn out?
"And the violent take it by force", I believe has a two-fold application.
1. Forceful persistence and tenacious behavior can yield results. The question is what type of results are you looking for? God's or your own?
2. One of the words translated in Greek here is "harpazo" which means to snatch away. This is the word used in "rapture", a catching away. Another word here is translated "autos" which means "self". Used here I see the meaning to be, God will forcefully take me home, He will grab me outta here! I know it is bad English but ya know what I mean?
There is a war going on in the spirit world and it is violent. We may not see it or even realize the effects it is having on or around us - but it is forcefully going on none the less. Ask God to use whatever force is necessary to accomplish His plans and purposes for your life. For those loved ones who are not saved, ask God to forcefully call them to Himself.
Be tenacious in your prayers because the violent take them by force...
ernie
