There are two kinds of force and violence. The sinful kind is well known in the form of violent words and actions. “I was formerly . . . violently arrogant . . . .” 1 Tim. 1:13. In 1 Timothy 3:2 and 3 it says that an overseer (or leader of an assembly) must not be violent, but meek. Violence is caused by discontent, anger, a strong self-will, conceit, and domineering. Nevertheless—God be praised!—there is also another kind of violence and force and violent action. Unfortunately, this kind of violence is quite unknown and rarely found! However, it is found! God be highly praised! The main scripture for this violence is the powerful and radical word in Matthew 11:12, Norwegian translation: “Use force to enter the kingdom of heaven, and those who enter in take it by force.” In other words, they are violent. English translation [NKJV]: “The violent take it by force.” French translation: “The kingdom of heaven is taken by force, and the violent gain power in it.” The Danish translation says that “the kingdom of heaven is stormed, and those who storm it, take possession of it.” In other words, entering the kingdom of heaven in reality clearly requires violence on the same level and with the same force as sinful violence!!! This kingdom consists of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom. 14:17. Not the usual, so-called kind of righteousness and peace and joy, but in the Holy Spirit; in other words, it is divine. Everything that happens in the kingdom of heaven happens in a godly manner, consistent with God’s will and nature. Thus it is absolutely clear that no one who continues to live carelessly, being slack and slow, will enter into this glorious kingdom. Yet who or how many have properly understood it as it is written in Matthew 11:12? What is meant by this violence that is required in order to enter this kingdom, or into the life that rules there??? We understand it immediately as soon as we compare Matthew 11:12 with Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This means that all such people will most certainly be filled with what they hunger and thirst for! In other words, they enter into this life in reality; they lay hold of it in reality in their inner man during their sojourn on this earth! Remarkably—and very significantly—the French word that is used in Matthew 5:6 means not just satisfied, but “exceedingly satisfied.” In other words, it is our hunger and thirst that must be exceedingly great if we are going to be satisfied. But then we will be satisfied in reality—in spirit and in truth! Accordingly, we can very well understand the pitiful state—spiritually speaking—of most believers or converted people, because they are definitely not that ravenously hungry for a godly life. Even every poor wretch can see that. Imagine if we had such a ravenous hunger and thirst that every word that came out of our mouth was true! Then we would be satisfied with this glory—for God’s Word is true! How indescribably hopeful it is for all those who hunger for righteousness to walk justly in God’s eyes in every way!!! Your blessed fellow brother—Elias Aslaksen