Rapture and End Times

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. Matthew 11:12 (NLT)

.

How Many Christians Are In the World Today? LearnReligions, April 16, 2020

In the last 100 years, the number of Christians in the world has quadrupled from about 600 million in 1910 to well past 2 billion presently. Today, Christianity remains the world’s largest religious group.

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2015, there were 2.3 billion Christians of all ages living in the world. 

Nearly one-third or 31.2% of the world’s population is considered to be Christian.

.

Christianity in the Past and the Future

There are also estimates available for the number of Christians in earlier time periods. Rodney Stark estimated a global Christian population of 40,000 in AD 150, rising to 218,000 in 200, and 1.17 million by 250. Kyle Orton estimated that Christians made up ten percent of the Roman Empire by c. 300 AD, that is six million people, and that by c. 350 that figure was over thirty million, with Christians now a clear majority of the Empire.

According to a report published by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, there were over 2.6 billion Christians worldwide by the middle of 2023.

The report also projects that the Christian population will reach around 3.3 billion by 2050.

.

Advancing the Kingdom

As we delve into the passages of Matthew 11-12, we embark on a journey that unveils the forceful advance of the Kingdom of Heaven. These chapters paint a vivid picture of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, proclaiming the Good News, performing mighty miracles, and confronting opposition with unmatched grace. Let us explore the profound lessons contained within these verses and gain a deeper understanding of how the Kingdom of Heaven advances forcefully.

.

Jesus’ Ministry and the Kingdom of Heaven

In Matthew 11, we witness John the Baptist, the voice crying out in the wilderness, sending his disciples to inquire whether Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus responds by pointing to His works, saying, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor” (Matthew 11:4-5, NIV). Jesus’ response is a testament to the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven through His ministry.

The miracles Jesus performed were not mere acts of compassion but powerful demonstrations of the reign of God’s Kingdom. They were tangible signs that the forces of darkness were being pushed back and that the Kingdom of Heaven was breaking through. Through these miracles, Jesus revealed His divine authority and gave us a glimpse of the heavenly realm actively invading our fallen world.

.

Opposition and the Kingdom’s Resilience

Matthew 11:12 states, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it” (NIV). This verse speaks to the opposition Jesus faced during His earthly ministry, but it also reveals a profound truth: despite relentless opposition, the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be thwarted. It advances forcefully, overcoming every obstacle in its path.

In Matthew 12, we witness Jesus performing miracles and casting out demons, sparking both awe and hostility among the religious leaders of His time. They accused Him of operating under the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. However, Jesus responded with wisdom, teaching that a divided kingdom cannot stand. He made it clear that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, invading and overpowering the domain of darkness.

.

The Call to Embrace the Kingdom

Jesus’ ministry and the forceful advance of the Kingdom of Heaven are not merely historical events; they are an invitation to each of us to embrace the Kingdom in our lives. Matthew 11:28-30 offers an enduring promise from the Savior Himself: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (NIV).

Jesus calls us to leave behind the burdens of this world and enter into the rest and peace found only in Him. He invites us to take upon ourselves His yoke, to learn from Him, and to align our lives with the values and principles of His Kingdom. In doing so, we become instruments of the forceful advance of the Kingdom of Heaven in our families, communities, and beyond.

.

The Eternal Significance of the Kingdom

The forceful advance of the Kingdom of Heaven extends far beyond the temporal realm. It carries eternal significance. Matthew 12:31-32 warns against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and embracing the work of the Spirit in our lives. To resist the movement of the Kingdom of Heaven and reject the Holy Spirit’s conviction is to risk eternal separation from God.

As we reflect on the powerful message conveyed in Matthew 11-12, we witness Jesus, the embodiment of grace and truth, confronting opposition and forcefully advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. The miracles, teachings, and challenges contained within these chapters call us to respond. Will we embrace the forceful advance of the Kingdom in our lives, surrendering to the lordship of Christ? Or will we resist, risking eternal separation from the One who offers us rest and peace?

.

Your Turn

May you be inspired by the example of Jesus to boldly proclaim the Good News, perform acts of compassion, and confront opposition with grace. Let us unite in fervent prayer, seeking the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit as we participate in the forceful advance of the Kingdom of Heaven, bringing hope, healing, and salvation to a world in desperate need.

.

If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

.

Spread the Word:

Send any comments, suggestions, or prayer requests to raptureandendtime@gmail.com 

Like – Comment – Follow – Share – Donate!

.

If you like these messages, make an offering so we can keep this ministry going! There are more unreached people now than in the history of the world. The global population is more than 8 billion, with 6 billion classified as ‘lost’ and 3.15 billion being classified as unreached. 

With internet evangelism, we can share the Good News 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We meet people in their moment of need with the hope of Jesus Christ. Your generous donation helps us maintain this crucial platform.

We are in the final moments. Help us to reach people before it is too late. Every dollar you donate brings us one step closer to fulfilling our mission of ensuring that no one is left behind. Donating will only take you a minute, but the rewards will last for eternity!