The Violent
“Arid from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matt. 11:12.
This expression is found in that chapter in Matthew which specifically declares the rejection of the blessed Lord in His mission to Israel: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John 1:11. The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-71 followed. the display of the powers of the kingdom as seen in Him. and detailed in a few striking verses at the close of chapter 4. verses 23-25. The fame of Jesus had spread throughout all the land. This "sermon," as it had been called, enunciated the character of the kingdom, so different from what the carnal multitude expected and sought for; it supposes His rejection, and presents His followers as a spectacle to the world, governed by heavenly principles, and looking for a heavenly reward.
Chapter 10 then details the mission of the "twelve" to Israel and its rejection; they would go forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. Then follows chapter 11 in which is found the passage in question. The kingdom of heaven had suffered "violence" from the days of John the Baptist; he had preached the kingdom (Matt. 3:2, etc.) and had been cast into prison (chap. 4:12). Nationally, then, from that moment the kingdom had been refused; thenceforth as it was only received individually. The individual had to struggle against everything in order to enter it. He thus became, in point of fact, "the violent." He had to undergo the disruption of national, religious, and family ties. If he loved father or mother more than Jesus, he was not worthy of Him. Instead then of an entry into the kingdom, established under divine auspices, which brought the person blessed into the blessing with gentle steps, and apart from difficulties or hindrances to be overcome, it "suffered violence," to use the Lord's words, and "the violent" (as He terms those who entered it) "take it by force;" that is, they were obliged to force their way through every barrier, and count all things but loss that the goal might be thus, at any cost, won.
Editorial
The persistent, ever-present Philistines or Palestinians are still a frustration to Israel. Their history goes back as far as Gen. 10:14 where the name is Philistim. It is the same word that elsewhere is translated Philistine. These people are still active and troublesome to Israel today.
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not pass through the land of the Philistines, although that was nearby. God said, "Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt." Ex. 13:17.
Typically, the Philistines represent the pretension and intrusion of man in the flesh into that which belongs to God. For this reason Israel should have completely dispossessed them because the flesh has no place in the things of God. Israel failed in this and it remains as a lesson for us. We want to clearly learn that the flesh has no place with God. It crucified Christ. The flesh will not have God, and He will not have it.
Today, it is somewhat difficult to say exactly who or what is a Palestinian. We have to remember that there never has been an independent Arab Palestine. But there certainly are numerous people who call themselves Palestinians. Existing as they now do, they are a great problem to Egypt. Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon as well as to Israel.
It appears that the alignment of these different nations around Israel is in the purposes of God to have the powers on the earth as they were when the true Messiah came to the Jews the first time. When Jesus came, the Roman Empire was in control, but these other peoples were there too.
Jordan's Foreign Minister, Taher al-Misri is himself a Palestinian and counsels the Palestinians to penetrate the thinking of the Americans so as to get sympathy and help for the Palestinians. This is a recognition of the great power of the West in seeking their help. Israel has been largely dependent for her present existence and support from the same region.
Among the enemies of Israel listed in the eighty-third Psalm, we find the Philistines. At that future time that begins after the rapture of the true Church to heaven, these enemies take crafty counsel and say, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against Thee: the tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tire; Assur also is joined with them." Most of these enemies can now be identified and are desirous of carrying out their stated purpose to cut Israel off from being a nation.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance Movement in the territories has the Israeli Defense Force bogged down trying to control the rebellion in the occupied territories. Men still have no solution for the Palestinians.
For a solution to all the unrighteousness and misery, this world will have to wait until the day is come when iniquity will have an end. Then the word is. "Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown [from the anti-christ] this shall not be the same: exalt Him that is tow [the true Christ], and abase him that is high [anti-christ]. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and 1 will give it Him." Ezek. 21:26, 27. Malachi writes of a day when the Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. But this is after the day that shall burn as an oven— judgment. Ed.