2006-10-28 21:25:29 · 7 answers · asked by ministerprae 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
King James Version
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."
The verse is from a series of verses where Christ speaks about John the Baptist, and how John the Baptist was the return of Elijah (as foretold). The essence of this particular verse refers to ongoing persecution of the people of God (i.e., the population of the kingdom of heaven). The violent and forceful have always (and continue still) to persecute God's people, and many times that persecution takes the form of physical violence.
2006-10-28 21:45:01 · answer #1 · answered by KO 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
(Matthew 11:12) But from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press, and those pressing forward are seizing it.
It is when Jesus started his ministry of preaching the "Kingdom of God", God's new incoming system that will restore the earth back to being a paradise, for righteous people to live on. God's original plan before Adam and Eve disobeyed.
2006-10-29 04:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise, and honour, and glory.
2006-10-29 04:35:40 · answer #3 · answered by I give you the Glory Father ! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force.
The opponents of Jesus are trying to prevent people from accepting the kingdom and to snatch it away from those who have received it.
2006-10-29 04:43:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Verse 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.
Admitted to be one of the difficult passages of the New Testament, this verse in all probability was accurately understood and expounded by McGarvey who wrote:
Jesus here pictures the kingdom of heaven as a besieged city. The city is shut up, but the enemies which surround it storm its walls and try to force an entrance ... The gates of Christ's kingdom were not opened until the day of Pentecost (Acts 2); but men, hearing it was about to be opened, sought to enter it prematurely, not by the gates which God would open, ... but by such breaches as they themselves sought to make in its walls. F3
Instances of such violence are: (1) Some tried to make him king by force (John 6:15). (2) the mother of James and John sought to obtain secular appointments for her sons in the kingdom (Matthew 20:21). (3) Some supposed the kingdom would appear immediately (Luke 19:11). (4) The apostles quarreled over who should be the greatest (Luke 22:24-30). (5) The apostles themselves seemed anxious for it to be done "at this time" (Acts 1:6). Furthermore, they envisioned a restoration of rule to Israel! McGarvey further wrote:
The people were full of preconceived ideas with regard to the kingdom, and each one sought to hasten and enjoy its pleasures as one who impatiently seizes upon a bud and seeks with his fingers to force it to bloom. The context shows that even John the Baptist was then seeking to force the kingdom. F4
This view does not rule out the possibility discussed above that there was an element of genuine doubt in John's mind. It is also of interest to note that some of the Ante-Nicenes referred this "violence" to the zeal men should have in striving after the kingdom, thus construing the words in a favorable sense; but without doubt, McGarvey's exegesis of this passage appears more safe and perceptive of the Saviour's true meaning.
2006-10-29 04:38:27 · answer #5 · answered by deacon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it means dont muck arround angels
2006-10-29 04:28:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
is that a question or a direct order?--No I will not--you didn't say please
2006-10-29 04:29:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋