“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 ESV
Berean Literal Bible ~ And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence and the violent seize it.
NASB ~ And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.
I want you to notice first, that this dynamic has been occurring since the days of John the Baptist. If Jesus is saying that we must enter into His Kingdom through a lot of hard fought battles, then yes: true. If as the NASB says, men treat it badly, then ‘yes’ as well. Both thoughts can be seen in this current generation displaying His Kingdom on earth.
“We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but principalities and powers….”.
His Kingdom, His dominion and His ways are continually being violently resisted. As His people, it rests upon us to make sure our battle isn’t any harder by trying to live with one foot in the world.
“Satan is coming and has nothing in me”.
Jesus revealed the Kingdom, the King and his dominion, and said My Kingdom is not of this world. One of the first things we learn from Jesus, from Matthew chapter five, is the sphere of His Kingdom. Jesus said the Kingdom of God was within.
During this past season, the Holy Spirit has said to me, I’m going to show you how to administrate the Kingdom of God. A few weeks later, during a time of prayer, he said, I’m going to teach you how to wield the sword. Of course these things always speak volumes and you understand in a moment all that is being communicated, so I knew with this there were things to adjust, realign and pursue.
Paul wrote to the Romans,
“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul went on to admonish these believers in Romans 14: 18.19~
“Whoever thus serves Christ (in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit) is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
We all want to display the power of the Kingdom with great signs and wonders, as Jesus did but Jesus came to emphasis character from a heart change and a life that was unified with Him, transformed by the Holy Spirit. This in itself is the first sign and wonder we experience as new believers. Not simply behaviour modification but transformation, for those who yield to His workings.
We want the power of the Holy Spirit but HE first works in us to conform us to Christ. As He, the Holy Spirit, works in us, He brings forth His fruit from yielded vessels.
“If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21
We are called and chosen. We are equipped. Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter and to us all. He builds His church upon the revelation that He is the Christ, the son of the Living God. Because authority has been given unto us, we must learn to righteously administrate His Kingdom, His waym which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Ellicott calls authority ‘not the right of might, but the might of right’. The disciples wanted to call fire down. They were jealous of each other at various times. They postured for position and power, but when empowered by the Holy Spirit, they had a supernatural ability to come out of old things into new. Not simply tongue talkers, but men and women whose entire lives were radically altered, walking in the fear of the Lord.
Jesus said “Come to me, learn of me, I am meek and lowly of heart.” Jesus showed us how to serve not to be served. Jesus showed us how to die to ourselves. Jesus showed us how to love even as he loved. Jesus set an example for each and every disciple to embrace and conform to. These are those called and chosen and prepared. Jesus said, many are called, but few are chosen.
I want to be one of those faithful followers, called, chosen and prepared for these last great days, righteously administrating His Kingdom on this earth, wielding a sword well.