The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence
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February 05, 2012 |
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 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." (Matthew 11:12)
How happy an athlete would be who wins gold medal in the Olympic Games! All the hard training that had been endured would change into joy and the athlete would be filled with rapture. Likewise, when we win the spiritual battle against the enemy devil and Satan and become a final winner, we can enter New Jerusalem and nothing on this Earth compares with that glory. Even on this earth, we do not spare sacrifice or toil to receive some prize or reward. So then, how do we have to live to look forward to such heavenly rewards?
1. Heaven Taken by Force with Faith
Matthew 11:12 recounts "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." Since Heaven is the world of God who is Light itself, the enemy devil and Satan can't approach it at all. But who would dare to inflict suffering on Heaven by trying to take it by force?
This means that God's children come to possess the heavenly kingdom by achieving a victory against the enemy devil and Satan. Furthermore, we can enter better dwelling place in Heaven to the extent that our faith increases. Men have no other choice but Hell due to their sins. But, by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving salvation, they gained the ability to enter Heaven.
Still, the enemy devil and Satan try their best to stop people from listening to the gospel and believing in the Lord. They are on the alert to even tempt Christians to commit sins. We can completely possess the heavenly kingdom after we win the battle against the enemy devil and Satan who want to lead us into temptation. Therefore, the Bible tells us that 'violent men take it by force.'
Why did Jesus say the kingdom of heaven suffers violence 'from the days of John the Baptist until now'? John the Baptist had the duty to make ready the way of Jesus and he testified to Jesus so that He could accomplish all works as the Savior. Thus, 'from the days of John the Baptist until now' refers to the time of Christ and the New Testament time when people receive salvation by faith.
In the Old Testament time, people could receive salvation through deeds of the Law. They weren't considered having committed sins if they didn't commit sins outwardly although they had evil in their hearts. If they violated the Law, they were forgiven through a sin offering. But the standard of salvation is different between the New Testament time and the Old Testament times. In the New Testament times, we can obtain salvation when we believe in the Lord Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit even though we don't give the sin offering. This is why people call the New Testament time the time of the Holy Spirit and the time of grace.
2. Heavenly Dwelling Place Decided According to One's Own Measure of Faith
Romans 12:3 reads, "… but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." As said, each person has a different measure of faith. What, then, is the first level of faith?
The first level of faith is the faith like that of little children. 1 John 2:12 says, "I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake." Here, 'little children' refers to the ones who just start Christian life. They have just accepted the Lord and become God's children. Their faith is the faith sufficient to receive salvation. With this level of faith they are qualified to enter into Paradise, the lowest dwelling place in Heaven.
Next is the faith of children. 1 John 2:13 reads, "I have written to you, children, because you know the Father." A Christian in this level comes to spiritually understand God little by little and grows to call God, "Father" just as a new-born baby grows up to recognize his father. People with the faith are like a child who 'drinks milk.' They can enter into a better dwelling place, the First Kingdom of Heaven.
The third is the faith of young men. 1 John 2:13 states, "I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one." A person with the faith of young men doesn't look at the worldly things but lives in the truth and overcome the evil one since he has increased faith. He is like a person who can eat solid food. People with this faith can enter the Second Heavenly Kingdom which is better than the First Heavenly Kingdom.
Lastly, there is the faith of fathers. 1 John 2:14 says, "I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning." People with the faith of fathers have gotten rid of every form of evil. They love God to the utmost degree and they can even please Him since they know the origin of God who has existed from the beginning. They also perform their duties well and work faithfully in all God's household. They become good examples to all people and obey by discerning the will and heart of God. They can enter the Third Heavenly Kingdom or the most beautiful dwelling place, New Jerusalem.
3. How to 'Take' a Better Dwelling Place in Heaven
First, we have to press on toward the goal
1 Corinthians 9:25-26 says, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air." As said in the scripture, it is very important to keep our own position to finish the spiritual race.
You can't become arrogant or lazy just because you grow up to some degree. You have to keep awake and pray all the time. You must not turn aside to the right or to the left but firmly stand on faith. Then, we won't be tempted by the enemy devil and Satan. In the end, we will reach better and better dwelling place in Heaven.
Secondly, we have to become spiritual children
Matthew 18:3 reads, "…unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Since young children have not yet developed an ego but still have a pure heart, they obey their parents. In the same manner, only when we become spiritual children can we obey the truth. We can obey God's words telling us to do, to keep, to throw away, and not to do something. Then, we can give out goodness and love since our hearts are filled with truth. We can love God more than anything else and love neighbors as we love ourselves.
Thirdly, we have to fulfill the Law with love
Everything that Jesus had done on earth was to fulfill the Law with love. He perfectly fulfilled love by being crucified on the cross for sinners. By His sacrifice, people who had been servants of Satan came to possess the heavenly kingdom by believing in Jesus as our Savior. It is all about Jesus' love and devotion.
Romans 13:8-10 reads, "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. … Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Just as Jesus loved us, we have to love each other. Such love is a strong weapon that enables us to take Heaven by force.
God is love itself and New Jerusalem that houses His throne is the core of love. Therefore, if we hate brothers and pass judgment and condemnation on them, we cannot go to a better heavenly dwelling place. It is real loss for us. The God of love has prepared New Jerusalem, the most beautiful dwelling place for us. I pray in the name of the Lord you will destroy the camp of enemy devil and Satan, increase your measure of faith, and take New Jerusalem.
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