Intro

Following is the contrast between a lion and a lamb:

 "I came, I saw, I conquered!"  Julius Caesar.

"I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."  The Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, Jesus a Nazareth may becoming back as the lion of the tribe of Judah, and King of kings, with a rod of iron in His hand to execute justice upon the earth.  However, with His first entry into this world, He came as a lowly servant and a meek and gentle lamb.  Moreover, He beckoned His followers to become as He was.

By open plunder or cunning devices, the forces of this world (religious, military, and civil) are working towards a new order of dominion and power.  Whether this is done "lawfully" (through legislation and draconian measures), or "unlawfully" ("the right" to obtain through conquest) the Lord's remnant seek a kingdom not of this present order, where dwells "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Dan. 11:38.  "But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces" ...  Rev. 6:2  ... "and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."

The above verses reveal the soon coming man of sin, energized by "the prince of the power of the air", who manipulates his way into the world scene using peace as a cover for destruction.  Just as Hitler forced his way in through stealth and brutal tactics during the 1930's, to attain the position of Germany's Chancellor, this antichrist will force his way in as the world's number one premier, and to the world's eventual downfall.  His ways and means will be in direct contrast to the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world.

According to James Chapter Three, there are only two wisdom's predominate in the world.  These are two contrary entities.  One is from below, which promotes and glorifies force in order to achieve it's means:

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

The other is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated.  Which says:

"the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

In regards to the devilish, earthly wisdom;  James queries brethren in Chapter Three to the origin of their state of discord ... "whence come wars and fightings among you?"  In comparison to the godly wisdom which is "full of mercy and good fruits", which is from above.  In other words ...  godly wisdom does not force its way in, but waits for the call before response.  This corresponds with Numbers 24:1 about the believer not going "beyond the commandment of the LORD", which is indeed wise counsel.  Especially in the New Testament era where the believer is not to live by the sword, but to love and pray for his enemies.

Servant or Conqueror?

This does not mean Christians are called to passivity or indifference.  Quite the contrary in fact ...  "working the works of Him", and "occupying till He come", that we "may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Yes as innocent lambs among wolves and salt in the earth, but servants nevertheless ...  being fervent in spirit and contending for the faith!

John 13:15.  "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

Jesus came "not to be ministered unto, but to minister" and as an example in order for His little flock to follow both willingly and faithfully.  He was the Great Shepherd who would not enforce His follower's allegiance, but would call and lead His flock to green pastures and wells of living water.  His one criterion was that they likewise, became as He was.  Paul reiterated this fact in Phil. 2: 5-8:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Again, this was in direct contrast to Lucifer, who thrust himself into the heights of heaven to replace God.  It is also in total and complete reverse to the spirit and ways of this present world.  In times past, if a king could be taken by force, then the kingdom would be yours by "right" of conquest.  In other words ...

The end justifies the means (or inheritance by force)

Mark 14:46.  "And they laid their hands on him, and took him."

In Gethsemane they were taking the kingdom by force.

Verse 48.  "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?"

Some were following Jesus willingly, as one following a caring shepherd.  Others were actually tracking Him and staking Him out, as well as spying on His words and actions.  There is a difference between coming to someone to inquire and learn, than from coming with aggression in mind, with the motive of taking Him out or arresting Him at the opportune time.  Later, on a smaller scale, others would be coming willingly to follow Him unconditionally: 

John 10:27.  "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me".

Open conquest, domination, intrusion, and even subtle manipulation, are all forms of forcing your way in and taking over.  Constantine became the hope of apostate Christendom as the Holy Roman Empire used "righteous" coercion to expand its influence abroad, after Imperial Rome reinvented itself to counteract its retrenchment.  This was followed by the Reformers, as the likes of Luther and Calvin tried also to galvanize their Christianized version by force.  Protestantism failed in bringing the kingdom to earth, as others defected choosing the simplicity of their Saviour in preference, beyond political interference and control.

Next came the delusion of the Reconstructionists, to seduce, if it were possible, even this elect.  Their ideal ...  to conquer the world and bring in the kingdom of God, unbiblically, pre-empting the return of Christ.

This final New Age assault on God's word is the ground work for the final conquest of mankind.

Inheritance by faith

This blows the "faith movement's" "speak it into being" and "blab it and grab it" teaching clean out of the water ...

In the book of Hebrews it says believers inherit the promises through 'faith and patience'.  In God's kingdom there is no other way to obtain it, as opposed to the violent majority taking it by force.  Who demand the blessing in an instant.  Who claim their inheritance ...  NOW!   Today, is the age of the INSTANT generation ...  where "road rage", "air rage", "domestic rage", "social rage", "religious rage," and "political rage" take its toll.  These are only pigeon holes invented to cover the real war being waged in the heart of man as man endeavours to get his own way by oppression and power, in order to cover their assertion to be as gods.  This is the reason people are losing sense of  virtue and common morals as attributes such as 'patience' and 'long suffering' are no longer valued but are bulldozed away, as the "Now Generation" demand their so-called rights to be actioned in an instant, in great contrast to what the scriptures declare:

Ecc. 7:8.  "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

In the O.T. there are cases where God's people could not wait and trust their Provider to meet their needs, but engineered circumstances, and forced their way into making the promises work.  A good example of this situation is the scenario with the aged Sarah (representing the promise), Hagar (the surrogate - the bondwoman), and Ishmael (representing works of the flesh).  The Lord had made a promise to Abraham.  But who was going to make sure the promise came to pass?  On whose terms and in whose time in other words?  In the end it turned to custard for both Abraham (the roles of leadership being reversed) and Sarah (manipulating circumstances for her own sake)  Remember, in the NT the Prodigal Son demanded his inheritance before time, and ended up in a pig sty?  As Proverbs 20:21 says, 

"An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed."

Also ...  Proverbs 19:2:

"he that hasteth with his feet sinneth."

A Christian taking his promised or "claimed rights" by force is nothing more than what the scriptures expose as haste and (im)patience and going beyond virtue, or going beyond the commandments of the Lord.  As opposed to virtues like waiting, longsuffering, faith, and being anxious free ...  on a daily basis.  Also, there is another word in scripture for taking something by force.  It is called theft!  "And the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy".  Does this following verse sound all too familiar?:

Matt. 21:38.  "But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance."

This is why it has always been the children of the bond woman (the surrogate, the counterfeit) persecuting the children of the free woman.  A picture of the apostate majority taking the blessing by force ahead of the tiny remnant.  A picture of the religious world pre-empting those who choose to take the Lord for what He says in His word, "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."  This is nothing to do with storming an objective with aggressive intentions by the way, like the Storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution, or taking out a machine-gun nest in modern times.  But through "patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure" (2 Thes. 1:4).  This is why Jesus urges His little flock in Luke 13:24, to strive "to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

The children of Israel possessed the promised land by brute, physical, military force, with the help of their God.  This was a physical picture (a type) of the church possessing its spiritual inheritance in the NT as the enemy has now been defeated at the cross and the reason we have to continually remind him of this through the word, because "it is written".  Today, the only force the children of God use is in the spiritual, where "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds".  It is the Good Fight the remnant is occupied with.  Not warring against flesh and blood, as His kingdom is not of this world.

When we walk in the Spirit we are led by the Spirit, and when we use the sword of the spirit (the word, the scriptures, the Bible) the enemy, Satan, the thief and chief hinderer, does not have an answer, as he has been rendered useless at the cross.  This is why the Lord has given the believer authority "over all the power of the enemy" through the victory of the spilt blood.  The promise is now for the believer to possess by faith.  Jesus has made the way possible.  This, of course, will not be achieved without spiritual opposition and hardship, and is where the believer learns to be an overcomer by applying God's word in faith.

Inheritance by force

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

"Until now (present tense, in relation to the age we are living in) the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence".  Since the New Testament period commenced, we have witnessed the violent use of force:  The Roman Caesars, the Catholic Crusades, the Inquisition, the Stalinist purges, Hitler's Final Solution, Mao's Cultural Revolution, the present day 'ethnic cleansing' incidents around the globe, the NWO bombing or starving out any nation who does not comply to the Community of Nations "Globalism" ideology, and so on.  Because everyone wants their own slice of heaven. They want the whole cake and eat it too!  At any cost!  At all costs!  Bypassing the cross.

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

The Dominionists and Reconstructionists interpretation:

"The violent are the Christians who follow Jesus' tactics by cleansing the world of evil, just as Jesus cleansed the temple."

What these Dominionists fail to disclose is that it was Jesus' temple in the first place, as He was in effect the Holy One of Israel, the King of the Jews.  Therefore, it was not the Jews temple, nor mans, nor the Christians!  Also, before Jesus entered backslidden Jerusalem to cleanse the Temple (and this is the big key missed today by many) ...  Jesus wept for this City.  Which meant Jesus loved these people dearly, even to the point of death on a cross and which made it very hard for Jesus to carry out His chastening act.  However, whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth!

How many, who think their "ministry" is one of correction or rebuking, first weep and intercede for their subject before launching into them as an authority above all?  It's so easy to go for the jugular first, then ask questions!  How many attack others by email because they don't like what the person is saying, not because they are genuinely concerned the person is going into error, but because they are out to control?

The Enemy Within - Jezebel

If the enemy can't take it by outside means (the believers inheritance), he will (by all means) use subterfuge in order to infiltrate.  Of course, this is his most effective ploy, as his true identity lies hidden in carrying out his agenda.  Hidden because he can name the name of Christ, religiously perform, pray, appease, and carry out christianized activity, ritualistic or organized worship, to a tee.  All the while making believers feel they are carrying out their "Christian " tasks admirably in the name of Jesus.  Even if they are being used as pawns in controlling and thinking for others, and manipulating them to achieve their 'own' aims.  This is why John wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Rev. 2:20:

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."

Did you know allowing the infiltration of the spirit of Jezebel into our midst is one of the most damning and damaging things that can happen to the Body of Christ?  Both my wife and I have had to put up with this witchcraft thing, on each side of one another's families, all our life.  We are both products of Jezebel witchcraft, where our lives and thinking were constantly overridden by someone else (no, it was not my deceased Mother!).  This, coupled with coping with denominational/charismatic witchcraft within the camp (after conversion), and learning to resist its effect over our lives after defecting to outside the camp.

The interesting thing about our situation is that what I have experienced firsthand from a non-Christian upbringing, my wife has experienced firsthand from a "Christian" upbringing.  Here it was lodged and hidden within the church, with the appearance of being "spiritual", "biblical", "zealous", and "becoming".  However, both versions were just as cunning, and working towards the same end.  Moreover, it was the "Christianized" version that was the most devious and deadly, as it was setting itself up in the sanctuary of God (Jer. 44:17).

Isaiah 47:7.  "And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever (the lady of the kingdoms - verse 5)".

By overcoming its hold, we have discovered the two most effective weapons by this spirit is oppression by fear and condemnation, based on lies and deception.  Fear, in suffering the consequences if you are not in compliance with your "Benefactor's" will.  Condemnation, because you are told you are not good enough, and need its approval, aid, and wisdom, to function. While the meaning of 'resistance' is turned around and confused with 'rebellion', you find yourself apprehensive and fearful to resist.  In actual fact, it is not your problem at all, but your "Benefactor" who is in rebellion and in big trouble with the Lord.  This is how the Lord views it ... 1 Samuel 15:23:

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."

Get this very strongly ...  resistance is not rebellion!  Resistance is scriptural!

1 Pet. 5: 8-9 (see all James 4:7).  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith"!

Why not tolerate Jezebel?

2 Kings 9:22.  "And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?"

We are not to tolerate her spirit in the church, or in our home, and give it one inch of ground; because it can do more damage than booze, drugs, or lust, in family situations and relationships in general.  A person with this spirit (spontaneously demanding control through scheming, domination and manipulation) needs to be confronted and stood up to by her husband (even other members of the family) and elders, constantly, until they come to repentance.  Persistence, must be met with persistence, as we rely on the Lord for His strength:

1 Cor. 16:13.  "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit (follow through to the end) you like men, be strong."

An unrepentant man with this spirit needs to be avoided.  He is very dangerous.  Beware of "personalities"  who believe they have a ministry of "correction", or "rebuke".  Who crusade their point of view.  Who promote themselves as 'SUPERIORS', and like 'THE PEDESTAL'.  Who believe they are an 'AUTHORITY'.  They could be a bloke who calls himself an 'end time prophet', or an 'end time watchman', or something.  Beware!

Beware of women, or a woman, who override men.  The fruit is ... failed relationships (even though they may remain superficially intact), a tolerance for sin, enjoyment of prominence, and acting on the behalf of others (doing their thinking for them).  The Holy Ghost is our spiritual benefactor, not flesh and blood.  Nor a woman overriding a man, or a woman having dominion over your faith, whether you are male or female.

Also, favouritism is another product of this spirit, to the other extreme of new convert abortion.  Want to shipwreck a babe in Christ?  Then hand them over to the care of a Jezebel!

Another sign they manifest (as evidence they are possessed by the Jezebel spirit) is they have a persecution complex when confronted with their problem.  Here they habitually throw self-pity tantrums, and even break down in tears as a last resort.  The object of the exercise is to make you feel bad, so they don't have to feel bad, and admit they are the one in error.

They also look for weaknesses in people (even their most "loved" ones) to exploit, as they have learnt the art of manipulation through "divide and conquer" (audaciously in the name of Jesus).  This causes all sorts of problems within families, and fellowships, as members can find themselves in conflict with each other, without the problem being pinpointed and leaving no remedy.

Her characteristics in general (although they can vary depending on personality and to the degree a person has given themselves over):

She is a self-promoter (calls herself a prophetess) - Rev. 2:20.
She creates a matronal image making others dependent on her so-called wisdom and spiritual insight ("thy mother Jezebel") - 2 Kings 9:22.
She will destroy (or neuter- spiritually castrate) potential men of God - 1 Kings 18:18, 21:11, Matt. 19:12.  Making men into wimps, in other words.
She will corrupt leaders by getting them to align with her (creating dependence on her "spirituality", "higher" revelation and "deeper insight"!) - 1 Kings 16:31, Rev. 2:20.
She will use any outward attractiveness she possesses (personality is a big plus - they don't have to be physically attractive in other words) to seduce or manipulate - 2 Kings 9:30.
She will ruthlessly intimidate (even the mighty Elijah fled from her) - 1 Kings 18:4, 19:2-3.
She will try and wear her opposition down through supernatural energy - Dan. 7:25, Acts 16: 17-18.
She will mollycoddle and pamper to get her way - 1 Kings 21:5.
She will buy your favour - 1 Kings 21:7, 21:25.
She will milk information from the weak and naive (ammo collecting!) to use against them, or you, or others - 1 Kings 19:1.
She will scheme for the taking - 1 Kings 21: 7-13.
She will tolerate and cultivate sin in the camp - Rev. 2:20.
She wants the throne at all costs - Is. 12: 1-2.
She is totally determined and ruthless -  1 king 21: 9-13.

Ruin is her end (not a majestic or "wow" ministry)!:

Ecc. 7:26.  "And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her."

Do not tolerate her!  Do not give her one inch of ground!  She is a steamroller, a bulldozer, (sometimes a runaway rollercoaster) dressed in her Sunday best, coming beautifully to church, controlling the pastor, the service, ministries and families.

Jezebel is very religious, and out to sway the flock away from the Lord to herself.  If a fellowship tolerates and nurtures her without listening to biblical correction ...  leave!

May the elect shake off every association with her with the ruthlessness of Jehu!  The violent take the kingdom by force whereas the meek (who are not weak) shall inherit the earth.

A letter:

Tom,

This title - The violent take it by force - brought back old memories.

In the mid 70's I was associated with a 'movement' (cult, I learned in the process) called THE WALK.  The apostle to The Walk was John Robert Stevens.  At first the 'messages' were appealing.  But as time wore on, the actions didn't line up with the talk.  We were a 'violent' people, going to bring in the kingdom by force.  With a lot of rah, rah, rah, stadium style enthusiasm, (and superiority and exclusivism) ... confusing liberty with license.  There were even established "kingdom businesses" where the young dedicated member could work (actually virtually slave labour) and help bring in the kingdom through a business that would put 'worldly businesses' out of business.  Oh, such 'pie in the sky' fantasy dreams that were put into the hearts and minds of the young, and some not so young.  We sang songs out of Joel where WE were Gods mighty army, where earthquake proceeded us and devastation was left in our path.  Etc. etc. etc.

It wasn't until years later I learned the 'leader' was one of those in the Latter Rain 'Movement' of the 40's and 50's.  Prior to our involvement in the Walk, we were in various 'expressions' of the Charismatic Movement ...  which has it's roots in the Latter Rain "movement".

Well, to make a very long story short, the one thing I did learn in my religious 'odyssey' is ...  (don't think me too crude) that there is only one legitimate 'movement' in the world and that is a BM.

Another thing I feel is, "there is nothing new under the sun."  Today we have the ilk of those like Joyner who are feeding a new generation with the food of violence and dominionism, as the Hagins, Copelands and Schullers are feeding the appetite of greed to the ignorant and unlearned.  And there are the multitudes clambering after those 'preachers' just like you described those who followed after John the Baptist.  History has to repeat itself ...  if we 'learned' from history, we wouldn't need the Lord, we would just keep getting better because we'd be learning from our mistakes.

The story of your father in-law going after a job, just because it is the thing to do to get work no matter what, reminded me of myself.  I did the same thing in the early 80's when the country was going through a economic crisis and the building trades suffered.  I was a cabinet maker at the time.  I took employment in Alaska doing work only men half my age should be doing.  Thus, I not only found myself away from my family, but ended up in the hospital and eventually having a burn-out (nervous breakdown) and unable to continue to work.  Two years later I was again working at a job that brought about a second 'burn-out' and almost two years of unemployment ...  economic poverty and eventually having to live in a 30 foot travel trailer on other peoples property, for nine years.  BUT, seven of those years were on a farm doing work I'd never done before and loving it !  The Lord even has ways of blessing us when we are bound and determined to mess things up.

But, even though I was enjoying the farm work (maybe too much?) the long hours started to slow me down and eventually I was diagnosed with leukaemia.  Devastated !!!  Now I couldn't even do the work I enjoyed the most ... I was really confused !  We had to leave the farm and rent a cottage in town.  My wife was nearing her retirement from driving school bus for 20 years.  I did qualify for disability because I was still five years away from retirement.  WE SEEMED TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ...  Thus began a new odyssey for our lives!  Trusting in God !  That's all we could do ...  and we began to learn that is exactly where He wants us to be!  And He will allow, (not necessarily cause) circumstances to develop ...  for those who truly love him and want to be in His will ...  that will bring that condition to our lives.

The 'world' and even the religious world promotes and encourages striving to get ahead.  We fall into the mindset of competition and will do 'anything' to become 'successful' ...  in the eyes of the world and the 'church'.  I've come to suspect many of the 'evangelical' methods that are being used to 'convert' the world is just subtle changes to the worlds advertising techniques.  If we have to use 'sales' pitches to convince people, you can be sure somewhere down the line someone else will come up with a 'better' pitch to sell their particular model ... and in a society conditioned to buy the one that is shouted about loud enough, they'll switch brands.

We have this confidence, that the Lord IS building HIS church, His way, with materials of His choosing ... and much of the 'secular' and religious
world is unaware of His control of the whole matter.

Gail Kellor

Beware of the militants

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

"They (the violent) are taking the kingdom by force", because they misconstrue the scriptures about Jesus saying, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."  Or, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men!"

What these "spiritual" militants fail to understand is "the violent taking it by force" is referring to people moving in the opposite direction to where Jesus was pointing His followers in regards to the lost.  One group (the masses) were pressing to get in, like Luke 16:16 f'instance: 

"The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

Whereas, Jesus was telling His remnant to go in the opposite direction and urge strongly (compel) with all emotion, the cast down and forsaken, to forsake the gutter and the filth, and come to the feast of heaven, as welcomed, honoured, privileged guests.  One group was using compassion and conviction, while the other group was using aggression and compulsion.  The scriptures separate the true from the false as Ps. 62:10:

"Trust not in oppression"!

The two usage's of force

The Bible makes it clear, if you genuinely love someone, you will correct them for their own good.  Therefore, parents who love their children would discipline their children, knowing momentary affliction is better than ongoing discord, and later, lasting affliction.  Many today would rather punish or dob in obedient, loving parents, than see the parents discipline and correct their own children, where the end result would be fruitfulness and godly order.  This again, is aggressive interference and grossly out of order, as man interferes with God's ordination to set up his own remedy, for a problem he has created in the first place.  Therefore, once again this gives a clear indication of the application of two types of force ...  one is to do with acting out of compassion and concern for others, while the other is taking what you can get for your selfish means.  The Dominionists also reverse the order merely to suit their cause, by using what they have termed "aggressive evangelism".  They come up with all sorts of excuses like taking Matthew 11:12 out of context ("the violent take it by force") to prove their point.  Here is what I think is a good example:

One evening, a few years ago, when I was holding the hand of my oldest son (then age 10) while we were strolling and enjoying the busy, crowded, streets of Athens, we were suddenly taken by surprise.  This happened just as we were attempting to make the other side of a pedestrian crossing, when suddenly a loud voice sounded out behind us in an American accent, "Lookout, a taxi is coming!!!"

I quickly turned and barely had time to notice the alarm coming from a man a 'head and shoulders' above the rest of the crowd.  To our left came a taxi "flying" at an excessive speed, out of nowhere, aggressively straight towards us. Without hesitation, realizing my son had frozen on the spot, I scooped him up in the air under his arm pits, while running to the safety of  the facing curb, while the frantic (phantom) black cab whizzed past us without slowing down.

Thinking back, the whole ordeal appeared a little strange, as it all happened within a few seconds, almost from out of thin air.  I sometimes wonder whether the tall man was an angel from the Lord, or just had a better view of the circumstances due to his massive height.  Now just imagine, when I heard the words, "Lookout, a taxi is coming!!" (while my son and I were halfway across the crossing) if I had stopped on the spot, composed myself, and after beckoning the attention of my son, spoke politely and sensitively to him: 

"Son, I do hope you understand the rather grave and dangerous situation we are in at present.  For a fellow pedestrian has just brought to our attention a fast motor vehicle heading in our direction, on a collision course, where a devastating impact is inevitable any second from now.  Therefore, after observing this situation Son, and after concluding it as a rather dim situation to be in, and being the loving caring father I am, I would sincerely ask if you had any objection if I picked you up, and physically removed you to the other side of the road, out of harms way?  Do I have your permission Son to do this kind act on your behalf?"

At this moment the following scripture comes to mind (if you don't mind me being a little bit spiritual again):

Jude 1:23. "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

This is the attitude Christians are to have towards those who are snared by the circumstances of sin. Compassion and a deep concern for them is the motive, although we still detest their sinful lifestyle.  Verse 22 says, 

"And of some have compassion, making a difference."

There is a difference when we push someone from out of the route of an incoming bus, or snatch someone off a roof if they are trying to take their life by jumping off it.  It doesn't matter if they are grazed or ruffed up in the process.  At least their lives have been saved.  This process is called saving lives, not taking something for yourself by force.  Even better ...  snatching them out of the clutches of the Devil.

Which spirit?

The Disciples wanted to call fire down on their adversaries as Elijah did, and as the two witnesses in Jerusalem will during the Great Trib.  However, Jesus said to His followers after rebuking them in Luke 9: 55-56:

"Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

Is this not the so-called Great Commission for the Christians ...  to win souls and save lives?  While others are hell bent on taking out lives through acts of terror and rampage, to soothe their personal vendetta, or prove their political point!  Or to conquer another country in the name of a righteous crusade, with the means of bringing down fire and destruction from "heaven"!  Or, at the other end of the spectrum ...  even abort young born babes in Christ, even if it means more recruits for their movement's cause.

What manner of spirit are the Dominionists of?  Who use the tactics of infiltration, usurpation and subversion, and who openly advocate Christians seizing key positions of power in society (sounds like a form of fascism to me), in order to influence and effect change to the system, in order to Christianize it.  Then once the world has been forced to capitulate to Christianity (sounds like everyone will be saved) then Jesus will come back to a beautiful restored world, thanks to the efforts of the Dominionist believer.

Bible believers do not use the tactics of infiltration, usurpation and subversion, as they belong to a different kingdom that is in no need of improvement or defending.  That is why Bible believers are also of a different manner of spirit because they have nothing to defend or attack.  Bearing in mind, this world will continue in wickedness and rebellion until the true New Millennium is ushered in shortly anyway.  This will be when Jesus Himself will come back to make it a better place, even by force this time, as the grace period will be over.  This is also why He is the Christian's hope (1 John 3:3), as well as the hope of Israel (Jer. 14:8; 17:13; Acts 28:20).  This is why it was lawful for Israel to use force in the O.T., according to the Lord's command, as 'the severity' of God was carried out on His adversaries during this dispensation.  It will also be legitimate for the Lord to use force after the Church Age, as 'the time of the Gentiles' dispensation revealing 'the goodness' of God, will be over and Jesus as Messiah will rule the world with an iron rod from the city of Jerusalem, enforcing His decree.  This will be a righteous kingdom, ruled by a righteous king, ruling through righteous decree.  This can never happen at this moment of time as Jesus is not king in this present world, and they that try and pre-empt it are wasting their time and missing the mark by millions of light years.

Till then (the kingdom come), the advice of John the Baptist would remain the same for believers as the same King is not ruling physically down here yet ... "Do violence to no man"!  Also, this would mean Jesus' advice to His disciples then would remain the same today ... " for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

Moreover, here's a couple of words of Paul's advice for qualifying to be an elder ...  "not to be a striker or a brawler (1 Tim. 3:3)"!  The violent might take things by force (even the kingdom) but this is not the manner of spirit for a man of God.  Being "wise as serpents and harmless as doves", and as "the salt of the earth", is the spirit the true Bible believers are to be in at present.  The only way we can be that city on a hill manifesting the light of Christ.  Because "he that winneth souls is wise."  Who is going to let their light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven?

Storming the wall or entering the gate

The people who where pressing in and taking the kingdom by force, until Jesus day, were violent the Bible says.  They were goats, not gentile lambs!  They definitely were not doves, salt, or light either!   This is why the kingdom of heaven suffered violence!  I'll repeat ...  suffered violence!!  This is nothing to do with being a meek inheritor or entering in a childlike manner.  The crowd pressing in during the days of John were the general masses!  Proof!?:

Mark 1:5.  "And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."  Also, "every man presseth into it."

They were all pressing in and being baptized.  It appeared everyone was getting in on the band wagon of 'baptism towards repentance' and coming to John (this is why John's baptism is no longer good enough, but the believer's baptism of Acts).  John's condition was that they brought "forth therefore fruits meet for repentance".  Were the majority prepared to do this?  John's aim was that they repented then converted to following Jesus, the Lamb.  Were the masses prepared to go all the way for God and follow His lamb, or later turn on the lamb and slaughter Him?

This new movement was a phenomenon sweeping the land where everyone wanted to join in and not miss out on "the blessing".  Even the religious leaders were joining in on the act.  After all, how could they appear to be 'party spoilers' when they wanted the approval of the masses?:

"Oh ...  no one had seen a prophet like this for 400 years!"  "What an uncouth, intriguing, spectacle!"  "Let's check it out!?"  "Maybe it's a sign (Matt. 12:39)?"  "Maybe this is at last the long awaited Messiah (Luke 3:15)?"  "Maybe the Lord is now restoring the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6)?" 

Oh, there were so many surmising the situation and trying to discern the time by flesh and blood, for flesh and blood to inherit, by getting around the issue of 'sin' and having to repent towards God.

Mark 1:7. "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"

John knew their motives.  Instead of entering through the gate (Jesus), the religious professionals were gatecrashing or climbing in over the wall.  Anything to avoid the cross, but still make it in, appeasing the crowd for appearance's sake.

As John's ministry was diminishing (by pointing the great throng to Jesus as the narrow gate to the kingdom) many were dropping off.  John was the hero of the day.  At least until his message became apparent!  "He knew how to draw the crowds in".  Until the message clicked.  When Jesus' true ministry became apparent, that He was not a 'political' deliverer after all, many more dropped off the jolly "band wagon" (John 6:66).  This process kept repeating itself, as more and more followers became disillusioned, realizing there was no "personal", or economical, or social benefits to reap from "the New Movement" (Luke 9: 57-62).  Others were so bent on making this new hero their leader they were again going to use force, simply because ...  "every man presseth into it".  Here's the proof from John 6:15: 

"When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone."

If they couldn't get the kingdom by gatecrashing, then they would achieve it by getting the King and forcing Him to be THEIR King.  It's simple logic ... no king, then no kingdom!

Remember back in the O.T. how the children of Israel insisted on having a king, especially a head and shoulders man?  Some leaders today are made king (spiritually) as congregations crown them with the unscriptural title of Pastor or Reverend, or even Bishop!  If someone will not rule by force, the people by force will make him their ruler, which is the nature of the beast.  Where there is a human headship (not plurality of mature elders under the true head) there is a spiritual dilemma ...  either the head will rule by force or the congregation will demand it.  Anything to avoid coming under the headship and lordship of Christ, who is king of another kingdom.

Called or anticipating?

Jer. 23:32  ...   "yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD."

I remember when I was a babe in Christ, full of youthful zeal, and being primed by the religious system, for "the Ministry".  Many of you will relate to this too, who have come out of the counterfeit Church.  However, it was impossible for me to compete with my closest (so-called) friends (I did not have the same charisma or aura about me), who were recognized as "great achievers" and keen as mustard (almost as keen as their wives!!) for a "pastoral roll".  At all costs!  Even if it meant selling the truth, or adjusting it.

I could not equate being a "hired" (or bought) 'slick professional' with what I read in the word.  I wanted out, and the Lord was merciful.  Looking back, the last twenty odd years are full of pastors biting the dust through being caught in immorality on a global scale.  That's what can happen when novices push their way in!  Prematurely!  Unbroken!  Or when the hierarchy is overly keen to enlist 'yes men' and clones, despite their lack of experience in real life situations.  Then once they have "qualified", politely gatecrash homes ("their" parish/constituency/clientele) as a "man of God" when the hubby is at work (2 Tim. 3:6), for their right of exercising 'the laying on of hands' and their right of getting into someone's (?) ...  life, and being a substitute for the real head of the home! You may fool your flock, and yourself, and even your spouse, but you won't fool your neighbours!

Many pastors have thought they were bullet proof and ten feet tall.  They have surrounded themselves with eunuchs to remain aloof and only semi approachable, in their time, when it suits.  Many are quick to make their mark as a "counsellor" or "spiritual" adviser, and to be qualified on paper, minus experience.  Remember, Jesus said the first shall be last:

Pro. 25: 6-7.  "Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:  For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen."

The above scripture is saying it is better to wait to be called up front into prominence and promotion (Ps. 75: 4-6 ) than go up before hand, on your own accord.   In other words ...  better to step down than be stood down!  Better to be sitting down the back, than standing up the front when the rug is pulled from under ya!  Better to humble yourself than be humiliated!  For the end is either one of dishonour or honour, embarrassment or exaltation!  It's how you get there, that makes the difference.  Some may make it in this life by making merchandise of others, but it is the end that counts!

The violent take it by force.  Their inheritance that is!  But Jesus said you must come as a child.  Those who press in by force, will use short cuts or go over the wall, or slither in like a viper, through a gap.  However, Jesus remains the narrow gate to enter by.  He is the narrow way few find.  It is only through Him we will  find green pasture and inherit the blessing of life eternal.  Better to wait and grow into it, than be stood down later as an impostor and not a true inheritor.

    approx 2001 - Updated last 10/10/06 NZ.