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THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERS VIOLENCE

Text: Matthew 11
24 April 2022

A POOR UNDERSTANDING OF THE KINGDOM

The Lord Jesus Christ had a major theme for preaching and teaching. It was simply, “The Kingdom of God!” Sadly, very few comprehended what He sought to teach. The following is a poignant comment made by the Lord Jesus.

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 

13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 

14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 

15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!     Matthew 11:11-15

  1. John the Baptiser

a) He heralded the coming of the Messiah

b) He proclaimed the Kingdom of God

c) He was the prophesied Elijah who would precede the coming of the Messiah

d) But few understood this!

  1. The Kingdom of God suffers violence

a) Violence is suffered

i)   Sadly, violence seems to be associated with religion

ii)  Persecution is chosen by those who propose and also those who oppose

b) Literal violence

i)   Some use physical violence, to push their ideas of the Kingdom of God

ii)  They think of the Kingdom of God as a political one

iii) Some use physical violence against the Kingdom of God

      They are so opposed that they would resort to violence against the Gospel of the Kingdom

HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR

The Lord’s teaching about the Kingdom was based on the prophecy of Daniel. (Daniel 7:13-14, 27)

  1. It would be an eternal kingdom
  1. No earthly kingdom ever lasts for too long
  1. It is a spiritual kingdom, but nonetheless, very real
  1. Entrance into God’s kingdom:

a) Repentance

b) Faith

c) Regeneration

Let us be challenged to learn more about the Kingdom of God!