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The Kingdom of Heaven Suffereth Violence and the Violent Take it by Force

 Submitted: 6/9/2015
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Question: This the way I have always interpreted the verse above, when I was first saved at 12 years old. It appeared to me that the verse means that the violent people outside the kingdom of God, violently treat the kingdom's children by force and the true believers are oppressed and violently treated. Additionally, those who are godly are violently treated along with everything relating to God's kingdom (God's Kingdom is the opposite of violent force) which is the antithesis to everything violent or dealt with by violent force. Why would the word violent be used as a synonym to speak of God's righteous kingdom. Christ was violently treated with force. Those who are Christ's are violently treated. Violence never gains its goal, only by love are people admitted into God's kingdom and most of them are forcefully and violently treated.
Answer: While it is that God's people are sometimes treated violently, it is not always the case. For example, Acts 2:46-47 says, 'So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.' They weren't treated violently by all the people but found favor with all the people.

Your interpretation is well-intended, but I think you have missed the mark. We stand by the interpretation we posted in our original response to this question.


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