The Kingdom of Heaven

 

Matthew 11:12 (NLT)  And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.

 

The  arrest, imprisonment and eventual execution of John and the Jewish leaders violent opposition to Jesus were attempts to seize and control the unfolding kingdom of heaven.  The words until now hint that the kingdom will  someday break free from the grip of those who seek to restrain it

Matthew 11:14 (MSG)  Looked at in this way, John is the ‘Elijah’ you’ve all been expecting to arrive and introduce the Messiah.

Malachi 4:5 (MSG)  “But also look ahead: I’m sending Elijah the prophet to clear the way for the Big Day of God—the decisive Judgment Day!

Promised that the day of the Lord, a time of divine judgment for the wicked but healing and joy for God’s people, would be preceded by the sending of   Elijah. Jesus explained that John the Baptist fulfilled his role and that his ministry signalled the dawn of the day of the Lord.

 

Malachi 4:3

[3]Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

Promised that the day of the Lord would be a time when God’s people “shall trample the wicked, for they shall ashes under the sole of your feet.” This signals that violent suppression of the kingdom will soon end.

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