What a wonder to see Jesus from the heights of heaven and to know that one day we will sit at the table with the Prince of Peace in the new Jerusalem. We desire to have you in this communion that will bring you to this level. Matthew 11:12 From the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing, and the violent seize it.

The character of the violent, according to the Larousse dictionary, refers to an imperious and brutal force or a lively outburst, great brutality towards someone. But what does the Bible really mean by “only the violent”? Does it encourage us to be brutal with others to go to Heaven? Does Holy Scripture recommend extremism?

Far from it! God does not want us to be violent in the literal sense. If that’s not what He wants, then what does He mean?

The violence the Bible speaks of is not related to physical force. Let’s rephrase the verse: From the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing, and only those who exercise self-discipline seize it. The world offers us many things—seduction is rampant, immorality is at its peak; likewise, jealousy, envy, corruption, and many other things, just to separate us from God. But if you choose Heaven, the Bible urges you to exercise self-discipline, to control yourself and not yield to the temptations of the world or the seductions of your flesh.

God wants your sanctification. In our bodies and in the world, there are desires that tempt us, but we must exercise self-discipline. We must be ruthless towards sin.

Let us be filled with lively outrage against things that do not honor God. Anything that can compromise our relationship with God must face our self-discipline if we want to go to Heaven.

This text is an excerpt from the book “The Dance of Herodias’ Daughter” written by Victoire Lufuluabu Kalala.