Let’s read Matthew 11:12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” Before we answer your specific question about the “violence” and “force” in this verse, it is crucial to see that the words of our Lord Jesus here were spoken to “the multitudes concerning John.” In other words, Jesus was speaking to “people of that day” and not to “people today” that are part of the “church of God.” So, these words have nothing to do with the church, but everything to do with the nation of Israel when John the Baptist was in prison for preaching the truth of the “kingdom of heaven.” John’s main message to the nation is seen in Matthew 3:1-3, “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ John was the fulfillment of Isaiah’ prophecy, for he was telling people to “repent” so their hearts would be prepared to receive their King, which was Jesus Christ. He could say, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” because Jesus was among them. If they had received Him as their king, the promised kingdom (which was prophesied throughout the Old Testament) would be established. But sadly, they rejected John’s message and thereby rejected Jesus as their king. The Apostle John said in John 1:11, “He (Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

Now we are prepared to answer your question. Here is what William MacDonald says (in the “Believer’s Bible Commentary”) on verse 12a: “From the opening of John’s ministry to his present imprisonment the kingdom of heaven has suffered VIOLENCE. The Pharisees and scribes VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED IT. Herod the king had done his part to BUFFET THE KINGDOM BY SEIZING ITS HERALD.”  As to the words, “and the violent take it by FORCE,” I believe it refers again to the religious leaders and King Herod who literally used FORCE in their resistance to John’s message. One has said, “They wanted a kingdom, but not the kind Jesus was offering. So, they were resisting the message and attempting to establish their own rule.” This resistance resulted in the death of John the Baptist and the crucifixion of Christ.

In closing, the church of God is made up of believers in Christ who are waiting for Jesus to return to take us home to heaven. Jesus said in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” While we wait for Him to come, we serve Him by preaching the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection so sinners can be saved and go to heaven (Mark 16:15-16 with 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). After we (the church) are taken home to heaven, there will be a seven-year Tribulation Period where God is judging the world (Revelation chapters 6-18). At that time, there will be those, like John the Baptist, who will be preaching the gospel of the kingdom so people can be saved and ready to receive Jesus Christ as their King when He comes back in power and glory to establish His kingdom on earth (see Revelation chapter 7 along with Matthew 24:29-31; 25:31-40).  (DO)  (733.5)