Taking the Kingdom by Force

“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

The kingdom of God suffers violence from those who want to be there.

This violence is first a spiritual aggression against self. If there is anyone that can hinder you from entering, it is yourself.

Those who take heaven by force are individuals who, after examining themselves, see their spiritual unfitness to be there. Yet, they did not sit down and cry. Instead, they rise to give heaven no rest until they were heard. They continued knocking at heaven’s gates until the door of mercy was opened to them.

Ever since the message of the kingdom was preached by John, only those with strong desires, like an army ready to take down a city, have received access.

Heaven does not open its door easily. The Angels in heaven are needed to be assured that you are safe, and this is proven by your willingness to die banging for entrance at heaven’s gate. Be like Esther who went to the king without his permission, but famously said, “And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16) From her courage we learn, there is no more honourable death in the eyes of God than you dying seeking Him.

Be assured that you die a safe death if you die at the throne of mercy. Do you have a failing heart that disbelieves in the promises of God, such as Hebrews 7:25, which reads, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

It may be so with you, that you see every verse is meant for everyone but you: Still run to Him because Jesus has promised that He can save the worst of the worst of all who come to Him. All that you have to say for yourself is weak, but if you come, Jesus presents His righteous record on your behalf, as if it were yours, and for that reason you are acceptable by the beloved God.

He will not leave you in the hands of the enemy. Just as a mother cannot ignore the cry of her child, so too God cannot resist but respond to yours.