“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has forcefully advanced, and the strong take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)
This verse was spoken by Jesus in reference to both John’s role and the Kingdom of God coming forth. John was a groundbreaker. His role was to go before Christ and prepare for the Kingdom of God to come. Since the time of his ministry, the Kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing. These advances, like with John, progress because of the labors of His people.
Until the time of John The Baptist, the Kingdom of God has been advancing through passionate, determined, faith-filled men and women who seize hold of it for themselves and others to receive and experience. The word sometimes used of seize, lay claim to it, or take it has to do with grabbing hold of it like plunder and carrying it off.
Sometimes we can look at the darkness or the opposition and become like the 10 disciples who cowered in fear. We shrink back and go into hiding. We are afraid and want to turn around. But we have so much to lose by living in fear. When we shrink back, we miss the opportunity to not only enter the Promised Land for ourselves but bring forth the Kingdom of God in greater measure around us and for others.
It takes faith, bravery and courage to enter into advancing the Kingdom of God. This only comes as we look to Jesus and not to the obstacles in front of us. He is the One who makes us strong and empowers us with His Spirit to bring forth His Kingdom.
Commentary notes about the strong who take it by force (referring to John and those who follow), “Following and serving Jesus takes spiritual courage, faithfulness, power and determination. In requires constantly seeking for or making ways for the gospel to go forth, knowing that it will face opposition. It involves maintaining the driving strength in the mission to reach others for Christ.” [1]
When the Lord called Abram, He told him to leave all behind and follow him. He tied a promise to it that” I will make you into a great nation. I will exceedingly bless and prosper you, and I will make you famous, so that you will be a tremendous source of blessing for others.” (Genesis 12:2)
The Lord again makes a promise to Abraham’s son, Jacob, later in Genesis 28:14, “They will become as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth, and they will extend their territory in all directions. Through you and your descendants, I will bless the whole world.”
The fame here is not self-fame but God’s fame. The Lord’s kingdom is a blessing to the whole world. When the Kingdom comes, everyone is blessed through it. It brings healing for the curse of sin that scars and wounds. It brings hope and joy for those who are despairing. And it brings strength and courage to those who are fearing. And awakens hearts that are in darkness to a Great Light.
It is the people of God that are used by the Lord to advance the Kingdom as they receive it for themselves and share it with those around them. Notice the Lord promises that the blessing comes through the descendants or remnant in Genesis 28:14. God uses His people in establishing the Kingdom.
Sometimes we move in the opposite direction of bringing forth the Kingdom of Light and don’t even realize it. We build the Tower of Babble. Instead of brick by brick establishing the Kingdom, brick by brick we build on the self-life, significance and prominence that are based upon pride and self-righteousness. Life becomes the kingdom of me-ism. Where this ultimately leads is to our confusion, the destruction of what we built and heart ache when God topples it for our own good.
As we walk through life, we are called to take dominion. When we advance, we are either building up the kingdom of Light and bringing it forth or building the dominion of darkness in the land. Or, we are lukewarm and make no difference at all. We walk the line between dark and light and refuse to take a side as we do not take any action.
For me, not taking action on my faith and advancing the Kingdom through sharing it with others has been my biggest struggle. I know God is faithful because I have seen it in my life so many times again and again. Yet, I do not continually look for opportunities to share the Good News and step forward in faith. Even worse, I sometimes shrink back in fear from opportunities to seize His kingdom, sharing fully the good news that has so changed my life.
As those who are called to seize hold of the Kingdom of God for ourselves and others, we need to take advantage of every opportunity. Hebrews 13:16 says that we are not to neglect over overlook any opportunity to do kindness or show mercy to others – especially the poor.
Advancing the Kingdom of Light will push out and displace the darkness around us. Commentary notes that “God’s kingdom marks the beginning of the destruction of Satan’s rule.” I come back to something I read some time ago in commentary of Revelation: “Ultimately, as the Lord of Glory, Jesus is the bright Morning Star who signals the end of the night and the beginning of God’s perfect day, the end of the old order dominated by our self-life and the beginning of God’s brand new order of righteousness, peace and pure love.” [2]
As you read Revelation, there is an ongoing battle of good and evil. Armageddon is depicted as the battle of kingdoms (Rev. 16:14). My favorite author notes that there is a clash of two Kingdoms -Babylon and God’s Kingdom. There is a force of Light and Darkness that is warring on earth and in the heavens.
As we are looking for God’s Kingdom rule to come, in Luke 17:24, Jesus says that we should not run here or there to see the Kingdom come. He said, “For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day.…” (Luke 17:24)
The Lord fills the heaven and earth. He will first come in power through His people and bring His glory on earth, establishing His Kingdom order, until the knowledge of the Lord fills the earth as the waters cover the sea. It will push out the darkness. Just as in the time of Joshua, The Lord will deploy His heavenly army and the troops of His people in a unified flow of the Spirit to take the land and bring the victory in His power, goodness and blessing.
Lord, in a world that is so filled with darkness, help us to seize every opportunity to bring forth your Kingdom, sharing with others the “unfading inexhaustible riches of Christ, which are beyond comprehension. “ Let Your Kingdom order come and Your will be done in me and on this earth as they are in heaven.
“Behold-God is my salvation. I am confident, unafraid, and I will trust in you. Yes! The Lord Yah is my might and my melody; He has become my salvation!
Isaiah 12:3-5
With triumphant joy you will drink deeply from the wells of salvation. In that glorious day, you will say to one another, ‘Give thanks to the Lord and ask Him for more! Tell me world about all that he does! Let them know how magnificent He is!”
Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done marvelous wonders, and let His fame be known throughout the earth!”
1-2. The New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC. 2018.
