Of Violence

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Mat 11:12

As followers of Yeshuah Jesus we are at war. Not with unbelievers but with the forces of Satan's army. As for the unbelievers, they are constantly tormented spiritually by the forces of Satan's army. Their spirits are at odds with the Holy Spirit of God.

There is a spiritual war going on. The forces of evil at war with the Army of God. There is much violence in the spirit world that we can't see. Paul said, “Put on the whole Armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:11) With armor comes war. With war comes violence.

Think of the violent war going on in the spirit world as the prostitute comes to know Yeshuah Jesus. The battle is fierce as the demons struggle to keep hold of her as she prays her sinners prayer. The war doesn't stop there. The temptations to go back to her former life will come in like a violent storm, so she will earnestly pray for strength too overcome. The persecutions from her former “friends”, and even the judgements from some of the Christians she encounters will come at her but, she will violently fight in her spirit and take Heaven by force.

That's what we all must do, FIGHT temptation, OVERCOME persecutions and trials, EARNESTLY PRAY for unbelievers, STAND UP for our Faith and God, and FIGHT the good FIGHT.

Consider the two parables Yeshuah told in Mat 13:31-33.

First, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. How does this seed grow? It violently pushes it's way through the ground, this world reaching up towards the heavens.

Second, the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven or yeast. When leaven is put into the flour it causes the entire mixture of dough to rise. The yeast overtakes or overcomes the dough, as we overcome the world.

Luke 13:24 Yeshuah Jesus said, “Strive to enter into at the straight gate” Strive means to endeavour or undertake.

We are at war, and this is a violent war. Let us be valiant warriors and fight the good fight with fierceness and righteous tactics.

Selah, I.H.G.

Pastor D W Riffe