VIOLENCE AND VICTORY
Matthew 11:12-14
" 'And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.' "
Followers of Jesus throughout the centuries have suffered violence, beginning with Elijah to John the Baptist (who was the fulfillment of Elijah) to the martyrs of today. They were "tortured ... had trials of mockings and scourgings ... chains of imprisonment ... stoned ... sawn asunder ... slain with the sword .... wandered about in sheepskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented" (Hebrews 11:34b-37). The enemy of the righteous saints, who steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10), uses the tactic of force in his war against Christ's kingdom. But he will never win. Jesus said He would build His church and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). There may be casualties in the battle, but Satan will not prevail no matter how hard he tries. Christ and His kingdom be victorious but they will not win by violence, but because "they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation 12:11). Jesus will reign!!!!!
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The kingdom of heaven may suffer violence, but it will be victorious in the end.
[end]
Have a victorious day. Love you.
Matthew 11:12-14
" 'And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.' "
Followers of Jesus throughout the centuries have suffered violence, beginning with Elijah to John the Baptist (who was the fulfillment of Elijah) to the martyrs of today. They were "tortured ... had trials of mockings and scourgings ... chains of imprisonment ... stoned ... sawn asunder ... slain with the sword .... wandered about in sheepskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented" (Hebrews 11:34b-37). The enemy of the righteous saints, who steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10), uses the tactic of force in his war against Christ's kingdom. But he will never win. Jesus said He would build His church and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). There may be casualties in the battle, but Satan will not prevail no matter how hard he tries. Christ and His kingdom be victorious but they will not win by violence, but because "they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation 12:11). Jesus will reign!!!!!
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The kingdom of heaven may suffer violence, but it will be victorious in the end.
[end]
Have a victorious day. Love you.
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