MEN OF VIOLENCE

MEN OF VIOLENCE

Jesus said something one day that is difficult to understand, but I THINK the Holy Ghost has given me a satisfactory interpretation. Listen.

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.

In my Bible, a center reference says "AND THEY WHO THRUST MEN SEIZE IT BY FORCE".

Jesus was, probably, referring to those who held high seats in the Jewish government (scribes and Pharisees and lawyers) Luke 7:26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is [he], of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. BUT THE PHARISEES AND LAWYERS REJECTED THE COUNSEL OF GOD AGAINST THEMSELVES, BEING NOT BAPTIZED OF HIM.

The Ministry of John was beginning to threaten the position of the leaders in Judah, and MUST BE HALTED if they were to survive. They MUST NOT LOSE CONTROL in the household of God. The positions they held had been obtained for themselves with a great price, and must be preserved at all cost. They could stop at nothing, to gain their end. John was now in prison, but his influence was still present. It seemed that Jesus had taken over where John had left off.

So, there was ONLY ONE ANSWER. They must take care of Jesus also-- by whatever means-- preferably death. THEY MUST RETAIN THEIR CONTROL over the LORD'S HERITAGE.

Sad as that situation, and those actions, seem to us now, we have ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME CONDITIONS facing us today. We constantly see MEN sitting in authority over the HERITAGE OF THE LORD, as though it were THEIR OWN property.

According to Jesus and the first Apostles, this was to be strictly forbidden.

Luke 22:26 But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
I Peter 5:2,3 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

II Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

In a book entitled "My First Fifty Years In Pentecost" A. D. Van Hoose tells of a former official in one of the large Church organizations (name withheld) confiding to him, at a later date, that the top officials had ONLY WANTED MEMBERS IN THE ORGANIZATION WHOM THEY COULD CONTROL. Especially those in places of leadership and authority.

There were ways of removing the "uncontrollable" ones.

MODERN MEN OF VIOLENCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

THOSE WHO THRUST MEN SEIZING THE KINGDOM OF GOD.