the rapture

The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence | Matthew 11:12 | Luke 16:16

For decades I’ve struggled to understand what Jesus meant in Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16, where He said ‘the kingdom of heaven suffers violence,’ and I finally learned what it means. If you’ve also wondered what Jesus really meant in these verses, this article is for you.

So, what did Jesus mean when He said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force?” After detailed study, I believe a more accurate translation could say, ‘From the days of John the Baptist until now men are forcefully pressing-into the kingdom of heaven, and eager men pursue it, grab hold of it, and forcefully claim it.’

For years I thought the verse “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and violent men take it by force” meant something negative. Like me, have you pondered how the Devil could possibly use violent men to abuse the kingdom of God? Now I know that’s the exact opposite of what Jesus really meant, as I’ll prove below.

The kingdom of God suffers violence: John the Baptist

Matthew places our subject verse “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence” between some fantastic verses about John the Baptist.

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 11:11-15

John was the greatest man who ever lived – Until God’s kingdom came to earth

Jesus praised John the Baptist, saying John was the greatest man that ever lived in the 4000 years since Adam. Think about it…John the Baptist was greater than Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and all the prophets!

And yet, beginning with the proclamation of God’s kingdom coming onto the earth, Jesus said every person in the Kingdom of heaven–even the weakest and most humble of them–are greater than John and all the ancient patriarchs. How can this be?

The kingdom of God is a new humanity

Members of God’s kingdom are greater because they’re no longer ‘mere men;’ they are reborn–they’re a new creation. Members of God’s kingdom are begotten-again of God’s Spirit. They are ‘born again’ as a new kind of human. They literally become a child of Almighty God. Here are 3 verses attesting to this fact:

for you have been begotten again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be begotten from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
1 Corinthians 3:3

Luke’s version of our main subject verse agrees.

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
Luke 16:16

John’s ministry marked a turning point in the evolution of God’s plan for mankind. Until John and Jesus began proclaiming that God’s kingdom had arrived on the earth, the law and the prophets were the highest form of God’s revelation to man. But then, John and Jesus proclaimed that God’s kingdom had come, eclipsing the law and the prophets as the highest manifestation of God’s revelation to mankind.

With reference to the kingdom of God, what is John the Baptist’s significance? John’s role was to announce the coming King, Israel’s Messiah, the royal Son of David, and to smooth the way for this King’s arrival. His primary message was,

Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.
Matthew 3:2

The kingdom of God suffers violence: Elijah

Jesus said John the Baptist fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy that Elijah the prophet would come before the Day of the Lord.

Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6

Jesus came in history, but He is also coming again in our future. In the same way, many believe there will be a double fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy. That is, John fulfilled the prophecy 2000 years ago, but Elijah will also come again in the end time as one of the Two Witnesses in Revelation chapter 11.

And so now, in the 21st century, when Jewish and Messianic Christian families celebrate the annual Passover dinner, they always set a place at the table for Elijah in anticipation of his promised return.

The proclamation of God’s kingdom signaled the turning point in God’s plan for mankind

Why is the proclamation of the kingdom of God the turning point in mankind’s history? How is the world different before and after this event?

For about 4000 years, from Adam until Jesus, not even one person lived a sinless life. All had sinned and therefore all were under the power of the lord of this world system, the Devil.

the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
1 John 5:19

But then, Jesus lived a sinless life as defined by God through the Hebrew Bible, also know as ‘the law and the prophets.’ Even before His death on the cross, as a sinless man He claimed the right to exercise dominion over creation, according to God’s blessing to our first ancestors in Genesis chapter one:

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
Genesis 1:28

Jesus displaced the Devil as Lord of mankind

Therefore, when John and Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, they proclaimed (to both men and angels) that Jesus displaced the Devil as the lord of this world. Jesus restored mankind’s original authority over creation. God finally had a man who could begin the restoration of God’s intent for creation–that all creatures would live in obedience and fellowship with their Creator.

The good news of the kingdom of God

The good news of the kingdom of God is that, through Jesus, the Devil’s authority has been overpowered. Jesus authenticated His kingdom message by binding the Devil and plundering the Devil’s kingdom during His earthly ministry. He healed people, walked on water, raised the dead, cast-out demons…

Jesus said,

If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
Matthew 12:28-29

What is the kingdom of God?

So, through faith in Jesus we can now enter the kingdom of God, but what is this kingdom?

Answering the question “What is the kingdom of God” would become a whole book in itself. So for now, here’s a brief summary definition.

Definition of the kingdom of God

Today, the kingdom of God includes all people reconciled to God through faith in Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice; people who honor His authority in their daily lives. It also includes spirits (angels, etc.) who are not in rebellion against God.

At the end of this age, God will institute the Millennial Reign of Jesus over all nations.

For sinners, the initial door into God’s kingdom is repentance. The path from there is discipleship, in cooperation with God’s Holy Spirit. This cooperation continues until we’re complete and mature, with the character and righteousness of Jesus.

The kingdom of heaven suffers violence? This doesn’t make sense.

Forcefully pressing into the kingdom

How can the kingdom of heaven suffer violence? It just doesn’t make sense. One big problem is that it contradicts Jesus’ victory and current position at the right hand of God. For example, this verse says that after His victory on the cross Jesus openly humiliated all of His spiritual enemies.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:15

The ‘Gates of Hades’ shall not withstand the Ekklesia’s advance

God’s kingdom is not under violent attack. No! We’re not on the defensive.

On the contrary, the disciples of Messiah Jesus are advancing the kingdom of God against the enemy. Jesus said their gates shall not withstand our advance.

The historical ‘Gates of Hades’

What are these enemy’s gates that shall not withstand our advance?

Caesarea Philippi was the ‘home’ of the pagan god Pan on Mount Hermon. It’s in the far Northern part of Israel, bordering Syria. This is ‘the gates of Hades,’ where pagans offered human sacrifices by throwing them into a huge, deep cave.

Caesarea Philippi exhibit – the ‘Gates of Hades’

Jesus intentionally chose this pagan spiritual stronghold at Caesarea Philippi to ‘poke the Devil in the eye.’ This is where He proclaimed:

I will build my ekklesia (called-out ones) and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her.
Matthew 16:18

What Jesus really meant in Matthew 11:12 | the kingdom of heaven suffers violence

In the beginning of this article I said we should understand Matthew 11:12 as saying:

“men are forcefully pressing-into the kingdom of heaven, and eager men pursue it, grab hold of it, and forcefully claim it.”

Let’s dissect this sentence to learn why this is the correct meaning, and how the common translations are not only misleading, but harmful.

The original Greek word biazatai is translated ‘suffers violence’ in many translations. However, in Luke 16:16 biazatai is ‘forcing his way into’ or ‘pressing into.’ This is the correct meaning instead of ‘suffers violence.’

‘Violent men take it by force’

The root for biazatai “suffer violence” is biazo. In the example below you can see this term is positive in the only two places where the Bible uses this word: Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16.

Eager men pursue the kingdom of God

‘Violent men’ is the Greek word biastes, which (as you can see below) means ‘one who is eager in pursuit’ or ‘positive assertiveness… of the believer living in faith.’

So, according to the ‘word studies’ at the bottom of the snapshot below, it’s reasonable to replace “the violent man taking the kingdom of God by force” with “an eager Christian believer who is positively ‘fired up’ to pursue the kingdom of God.”

This is a much-different (and much better) understanding than I had when I looked at it from a negative perspective–i.e., violent men abusing the kingdom.

‘The kingdom of God suffers violence’ means we must seize it!

‘Harpazousin’ the kingdom of God

The final Greek word to shine light on the meaning of Matthew 11:12 is harpazousin, a variant of the root word harpazo.

Bible students will instantly recognize harpazo as the same Greek word the Bible uses for the ‘rapture‘ or catching-away of the saints.

As you can see below, harpazo means to seize or snatch-up using an open, public display of force. In combination with the words we’ve already discussed above, the context of harpazo in Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16 means to decisively grab onto, hold, and eagerly claim the kingdom of God.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

The kingdom of God suffers violence — Conclusions

1. Based on the information presented above, here’s how we should read Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16:

From the days of John the Baptist until now men are forcefully pressing-into (biazetai) the kingdom of heaven, and eager men (biastai) pursue it, grab hold of it, and forcefully claim it (harpazousin).

2. “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence” is a bad translation. It presents a negative, defensive perspective, as if the Devil’s forces assail God’s kingdom. The opposite is true.

3. The correct interpretation teaches us that we cannot enter God’s kingdom passively. We must actively eagerly press into it, pursue it, grab onto it, and claim it with both hands.

What Do You Think?

Did this article answer all your questions on this topic? Please leave a comment below and tell me:

Did the information in this article satisfy you?
Or, did it leave you wanting more?

Q: Almost all Bible translations present Matthew 11:12 from a negative perspective, as if the kingdom of heaven is being attacked by violent men. How can they all be wrong?

A: You’re correct in saying that almost all translations use the negative perspective of Mt 11:12. Some exceptions are God’s Word Translation and the Jubilee Bible 2000. I explained my rationale for the positive perspective of Mt 11:12 in the article above. Snapshots show the Greek word meanings. A positive interpretation fits much better into the overall context of the Bible as a whole.

Q: How can I press-into the kingdom of heaven, pursue it, grab hold of it, and forcefully claim it?

A: Here’s a short answer:

Repent of your sins and receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice for your sins. Receive new life from God as a result. (Romans chapters 1-6)
Walk in discipleship, which means daily obedience to and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8)
Be proactive to study and meditate on the kingdom of God. Today’s ministers (almost universally) neglect God’s kingdom in their teaching.
Serve and fellowship with fellow disciples of Jesus.

The First and Second Rapture of the Church

Rapture of the Church: Victory or Escape?

Rapture = Harpazo

The word translated ‘rapture’ is the Greek word harpazo, which means snatched-up. The apostle Paul experienced ‘harpazo’ when he was ‘caught up’ to Paradise.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4

As you know, Paul returned to his normal, bodily existence after this harpazo experience.

Therefore, harpazo means to be snatched up into the spiritual realm, whether your body is snatched up or not. It doesn’t necessarily mean bodily resurrection or transformation.

Two Harpazo Events Coming

The first rapture of the church will not result in our bodily resurrection. It will result in the glory of God radiating from our mortal body. It’s what Romans 8:21 calls ‘the manifestation of the sons of God.’

The second rapture of the church will be our bodily resurrection and transformation. This is our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” in Romans 8:23.

Victory – the Manifestation of the Sons of God

The most important spiritual event since 33AD is the first harpazo–the manifestation of God’s glory in 144000 mature sons of God. This world-changing event will signal three things:

The successful fruition of God’s plan for this age (which extends from Noah’s flood to Christ’s second coming)
The culmination of Christ’s work on the cross;
The approaching end of mankind’s suffering.

So, what’s About to Happen? There are two main things:

First, the glory of God will be unveiled in mature sons of God (yes, this includes female disciples). The glory of God will visibly radiate from them. When the nations see this, millions of rich and poor from all nations, including kings, will seek to learn the way of the Lord.
- This is like the transfiguration of Jesus, and Moses’ face that radiated the glory of God. But, both Jesus and Moses remained mortal and their bodies later died and were buried.
- This is not the second ‘rapture’ that people are expecting, during which we’ll receive our spiritual, immortal, and incorruptible bodies.
Secondly, the unveiling of God’s glory in His mature sons will catalyze end-time events in the spiritual realm, including:
- The greatest revival in history, producing a harvest of new believers that’s so large the Bible calls it an ‘innumerable multitude,’ and
- Satan will be cast down from heaven to earth, which will kick-off the Great Tribulation for 3.5 years.

Escape?

The sons of God will not escape this world like a thief in the night. No, they’re literally going to radiate the glory of God into every nation of Satan’s realm on earth. They’re going to plunder the strong man‘s house. They’re going to take an ‘innumerable multitude’ from the Devil, in victory.

The second harpazo, the catching-away of the saints (or rapture of the Church) will be on a future Day of Trumpets, at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Therefore, Christian disciples will be on earth during the great tribulation, all the way up to this Day of Trumpets.

The apostle Paul wrote,

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Rapture of the Church = Escape from Wrath?

People who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church often quote this verse:

God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:9

It’s true–God’s disciples will not suffer God’s wrath.

The Devil’s Wrath

But, while God’s disciples will not suffer God’s wrath, they may suffer the Devil’s wrath and man’s wrath. Here’s one verse (of many) that clearly says Christians will be persecuted during this time:

the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 12:17

God’s Wrath

In contrast, God’s wrath is explained in Revelation chapter 16. In this chapter, 7 angels pour out 7 bowls of wrath onto the earth. This happens after the 7th Trumpet–‘the last trump’ in Revelation 11:15.

So, at the end of the great tribulation, the ‘rapture’ will happen on the Day of Trumpets when the angel sounds the 7th Trumpet of Revelation 11:15.

Afterward, God’s angels will pour out God’s wrath on Satan’s kingdom on earth during the 10 days between the the Day of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement.

Then, the Battle of Armageddon will be fought on the Day of Atonement, when the Messiah King returns with the armies of heaven.

Arise, Shine!

Regarding the first rapture, the manifestation of the sons of God, the prophet Isaiah wrote these promises more than 2500 years ago:

The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Isaiah 40:5

Arise! Shine! for your light has come, and the glory of Yahweh has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance.
Isaiah 60:1

Nations shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.
Isaiah 62:2

The Glory of God Unveiled

The Apostle Paul taught us the glory of God is now hidden within our earthen bodies. But, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies, God is going to unveil this hidden glory that now resides in each of His sons and daughters, so that His glory will visibly shine out from them.

Unbelievers, who dwell in deep moral darkness, will be amazed. Millions of people—from every tribe, people, language, and nation—will come to their light, to learn how to know God. We know this because just after the 144,000 sons of God are sealed in Revelation chapter 7, the ‘innumerable multitude’ will wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb. I discuss these two groups in more detail in another post.

What will God’s glory look like?

When God’s glory is unveiled in the sons of God, I believe it will be a supernatural light emanating from the spirit of each member of the 144,000. It won’t be reflected light, like the moon; but the light will originate from within their bodies, like the sun. Its intensity will depend on how much a person has allowed the Spirit to transform them by the renewing of their mind into the likeness of Christ. One will have the faint light of a candle, while another’s light will be very bright.

Daniel wrote,

Those who understand shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and those that teach righteousness to the multitude as the stars in perpetual eternity.
Daniel 12:3

Paul wrote,

Star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:41

Finally, since it’s a spiritual light, I believe it’ll communicate more than simple brightness… in its presence I expect we’ll also sense the indescribably beautiful peace, music, and aroma of heaven, ‘where the flowers bloom forever and the sun is always bright.’

Conclusion: the First Rapture of the Church

As we see the end of the age approaching it’s easy to fall under dread and negativity, thinking about the darkness, trials, and destruction coming to every nation that’s in rebellion against God.

But I see a very positive future for disciples of Jesus who follow Him with their whole heart. Their future will be glorious; full of light and life! They’ll be blessed and fruitful, like a tree planted by a river of living water.

Before the resurrection (second rapture) the glorious manifestation of the sons of God will be the first harpazo event that plunders Satan’s kingdom, resulting in the harvest of an innumerable multitude of souls for God’s kingdom.

The second rapture of the Church (the resurrection) will happen at the last trump, at the end of Daniel’s 70th week.