This scripture has really been on my mind the past two days:
Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.(KJV)
What do you think or know about this scripture? It has risen up in my spirit many times.
Ahhh, this version explains it better:
Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (NIV)
I love it! This absolutely confirms what I have been feeling in my spirit. There are times that we absolutely have to take a stand and FORCE in the spirit. We can’t just sit back.
I don’t know that “intercession” is actually mentioned as a gift in the bible (though I know it says that Jesus intercedes for us — and that God searches for those who will stand in the gap), but IF you intercede you totally know what I mean by being FORCEFUL.
Hallelujah! The kingdom of Heaven has been FORCEFULLY advancing! Onward Christian soldiers!
Amen! We must strive and violently lead our lives for the cause of God's kingdom. Violence and force are seen as negative images in our society but in reality they aren't necessarily a bad thing…when the goal is heaven. We must contend for righteousness in our lives…we must be forceful…and sometimes violent (meaning us passionately pursuing God)
With all that said… do I do any of that myself…
WELL
no…
but atleast I know what scripture now to go to once I start doing it.
Have a great weekend!
Amen… along with some other verses, I have been meditating on this as well. You see… in this Spiritual warfare we are engaged in daily… VIOLENCE IS ALLOWED… not that we need to be violent in nature, but violently enforce and maintain that Which Jesus Christ came, died and rose and is interceeding at the right hand of the father for… The violent take it by force….like u said.. praying a situation through…
Have a great weekend.. Much Love
amen amen amen sis..yes,,Just this week I remember standing outside my porch, and I envisioned myself like those ladies in the picture I posted in one of my devotionals with guns and knives in their hands. I stood on my front porch and bound the spirits in Jesus Christ's Name. I stood there like a warrior (oh what my neighbors must have thought of me) and said they WOULD not enter into this household for me and my household serve the Lord. That we submitted to God, we resist Satan and all his demons and they have to flee, GOD SAID SO!!
Yes! Amen! I have a friend who was so sick of my family getting sick especially on Thursdays when I am supposed to be at her house for bible study, that she took her God given authority and told the evil ones to GET OUT of our bodies and our home. Well PTL we were well the next day. She is my mentor and I need to do more of what she does. In Jesus' Name!
AMEN. Yes, we must intercede.
andrea
My heart has been stirred to stand against the forces of satan.
Like so many children and teens the enemy would like nothing more then to destroy them.
But we serve a Mighty God and through our prayers no weapon will be formed against our children!
Pray ON! He is ever interceding for us…we need to follow His example. Awesome!
Matthew 11:12 (Contemporary English Version)
12From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.
Matthew 11:12 (New Century Version)
12 Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength, and people have been trying to take it by force.
Matthew 11:12 (21st Century King James Version)
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 11:12 (American Standard Version)
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
Matthew 11:12 (Young's Literal Translation)
12`And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force,
Matthew 11:12 (Darby Translation)
12But from the days of John the baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and [the] violent seize on it.
Matthew 11:12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, [a] and the violent have been seizing it by force.
Matthew 11:12 (Wycliffe New Testament)
12 And from the days of John Baptist till now the kingdom of heavens suffereth violence, and violent men snatch it.
Deep prayer will reveal what is meant by this passage. Clearly, there are varying interpretations of what it means. I will address it's meaning a few postings down the road, in my blogsite, which is merely my interpretation. Each of us must pray deeply and ask God about the use or non-use of violence. Personally, I do not think that violence is the path to heaven.
Very good Beth! I needed that. I'm reminded of Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." NIV The Church is to be on the offense, not the defense. Another reason why we need each other in the Body of Christ. Sometimes we're too weak from the battle to be forceful, but with help from one another, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened for the battle! Have a blessed day & I'll see you Sunday
We had a sermon on these scriptures about 10 years ago…until then, I had never head any teacher discuss them…too bad, because you are right, we cannot sit passivly by…we are to storm the heavens in prayer for our needs…love this post today, Beth…we need to do this today, for our loved ones, for the lost, and for our country. I can do much better in this area, but I'm working on it!
God bless,
Mary
Godamongus, Thank you for your comment. I see where the different versions seem to go in a different direction.
I also hear what you are saying about violence not being the WAY to heaven. I agree.
However, God says the battle is His, but He also gives us weapons that are not carnal. Your blog doesn't allow "non-team members" to leave comments, so I had to leave this here.
Bless you,
b
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Thanks Beth!
♥Hope
I'm stealing a few moments on Bill's computer, and had to come over to see what you're up to…GIRRRRRL! 😉
I like your interpretation of this particular scripture. I also appreciate godamongus leaving the other translations of the verse. It just goes to show…we have to study the Bible ourselves, dig deeper into the meaning of what we read, and ask God to reveal His message to us through that word.
Love you,
Beth
Amen, lets march on.