From the Days of John

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

And from the days of John the baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violence take it by force. (Mt 11:12)

The days of John the baptist marked a time like never before. From his day "until now" men would seek to seize the kingdom of God with a most "ardent zeal" (AMP), even a violent approach. This is the norm in the day of salvation. Those who can see God for who He truly is and those who can perceive the greatness and value of His kingdom are forcing their way into it. They are in violent pursuit of God and will stop at nothing until them obtain an audience with Him.

Before John. Jesus pointed out that "the prophets and the Law prophesied until John" yet the kingdom of heaven did not suffer violence. None of the prophets experienced what John experienced. The prophets were sent by God to the people, but the people were generally indifferent and usually neglected the message. Consider the experiences of former men of God.

Moses - Many hated Moses for his work. They preferred that he speak with God alone so that they didn't have to. Moses was burdened by their desire to stay in bondage rather than be free and live by faith. Their constant murmuring and complaining caused him even to despair of life; "I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favor in Thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness" (Num 11:14-15). Moses experienced a day when the people withdrew from the presence of God; but from the days of John the baptist until now, they pursue God.

Isaiah - The prophets found out who among the people really wanted to serve God and hear His word. Isaiah perceived and chastised the people for their rejection of his word saying, "I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass" (Isa 48:4). He said, "this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord; which say to the seers, 'See not;' and to the prophets, 'Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits'" (Isa 30:9-10). What a burden to minister to such a people. Yet he continued to minister knowing that a people would come who would be prepared for the Lord. It was revealed to him that his ministry wasn't even to his own generation primarily but unto those who would be partakers of the grace of Christ (1 Pet 1:10-12). 

Asaph - This psalmist pleaded with the people of God to "not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God" (Ps 78:8). How he would have blessed God for a day when the kingdom of heaven was sought after with such fervor as it is today among believers.

Jeremiah - Those who desired to hear the word of the Lord were rare in Israel. The majority would shut their ears at what the prophets spoke. "I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, 'I will not hear.' This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not My voice" (Jer 22:21). Blessed are they that hear the words of the Lord and do them!

Ezekiel - In order to confront a hard-headed people, the prophets had need also of being hard-headed. The Lord prepared Ezekiel for his ministry with words that were never said to John.

"Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with My words unto them. For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language but to the house of Israel; not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. As an adament harder than flint have I made thy forehead; fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house." (Ezekiel 3:4-9)

Others sought to hear the prophets as those who could entertain but they would not take heed to the message. The people of God are not like this but those who hold to a form of godliness, denying the power of God, are like this still. Sadly many preachers in spiritual Babylon today experience what Ezekiel experienced: "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not" (Ezek 33:31-32).

The Problem was the People, Not the Message. During the days of John the Baptist, John went out into the wilderness and "all of Judea" went out to him. Even the Pharisees went out to hear him (whom he rejected). But when many of the prophets preached to the very people of God, they were rejected. This is what happens when the nature of the people is contrary to the nature of God. This is what the flesh does. This is also the reason for the law. Where a people have no understanding and live contrary to the ways of God, they need law. Law, after all, is for the lawless. "The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Tim 1:9-10).

The Prophets Spoke of These Days. Thankfully, the prophets were not only shut up to rebuking the people all of their days. (Such a thing is wearying to the soul.) They were also given to see marvelous things concerning Christ and the work that God would do through Him. They were even shown that there would come a time and a people who would readily heed the word of God and earnestly seek after the Lord to do His will. In other words, the prophets prophesied of a time when the norm for the people of God would not be waywardness and indifference but zeal, faithfulness, pursuit.

Moses - Speaking to the people, Moses declared, "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him YE SHALL HEARKEN" (Deut 18:15). There would come a prophet who would have the attention of the people. In view of this word, the people of John's day asked him, "Art thou that prophet?" And he answered, "No" (Jn 1:21). But John did prepare the way for this prophet and Jesus testified of Himself, "My sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them and THEY FOLLOW ME" (Jn 10:27). Not "they should" but "they do" hear His voice and they do follow Him. From the those days until now, the Lord's people DO hear His voice and they DO follow Him.

Hosea - All day long the Lord stretched out His hand to a disobedient and gainsaying people (Rom 10:21) but there would come a time when those people would reach out to Him. Hosea was blessed with speaking of such a time, "Afterward shall the children of Israel RETURN, and SEEK the Lord their God, and David their King; and shall FEAR the Lord and His goodness in the LATTER DAYS" (Hos 3:5). Though it would be a long time off, even from the days of John the baptist onward, the prophets could rejoice that disobedience would not forever prevail; Israel would return.

Zechariah - The turning to the Lord would not only be for Israel but for all. From the days of John onward, we would see a time when those who were even "not a people" and those who were "afar off" would seek to lay hold of the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. The people of God would not be limited to one fleshly nation but to a "chosen nation" that consistent of men from "every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation" (Rev 5:9). The prophet Zechariah spoke of such a time in these words: "In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even SHALL TAKE HOLD of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, 'We will GO WITH YOU; for we have heard that God is with you'" (Zech 8:23). With violent pursuit men from all over the world would seek the Lord.

Conclusion. We are living in a time when the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. We are living in a time when those whom the Lord has drawn to Himself will stop at nothing to get to Him. They will hear His voice and follow Him. Like sheep that have gone astray, they will return to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls (1 Pet 2:25).

This is all a display of the wisdom and power and glory of God. For He has exalted His Christ having made an end of sin by Him. When believing men see that Jesus gave His life for them, they readily and eagerly live not for themselves but for Him who died and rose again. For He saith,

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will DRAW ALL MEN unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He should die." (John 12:32-33)