What did Jesus mean when he said:

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. Matthew 11:12-14

Some have perceived this as a statement of the intensity with which God’s people have entered the kingdom of God. But in the light of God’s character, we discern that God’s children do not use force or violence.

John the Baptist was the greatest of the prophets and yet still did not truly understand the character of God as Jesus expressed in this verse:

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11

Jesus tells us that John was not in the kingdom at this point and this is the reason for John’s doubts as to Christ being the Messiah. As a result, the kingdom of heaven was taught by John, and all the prophets mixed with violence, meaning God would destroy His enemies. Therefore the Kingdom of God was subject to the teaching and practice of violence. But in the revelation of Christ, this violence does not need to continue.