Heaven Taken By Storm

Showing the Holy Violence a Christian is to put Forth in the Pursuit After Glory

Building on Jesus’s words that "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12), Heaven Taken by Storm reminds us that Christians are spiritual warriors and the kingdom advances through warfare. As Watson puts it, "Our life is military. Christ is our Captain, the gospel is the banner, the graces are our spiritual artillery, and heaven is only taken in a forcible way."

In his typically heart-searching style, replete with practical illustrations and gripping remarks, Watson describes how the Christian is to take the kingdom of heaven by holy violence through the reading and exposition of Scripture, prayer, meditation, self-examination, conversation, and the sanctification of the Lord’s Day. Moreover, he poignantly calls the believer to be vigilant against the flesh, Satan, and the world. Soldiers of Christ will find this a practical handbook on Christian living.

Table of Contents:

Taking the Kingdom of Heaven by Holy ViolenceThe Christian Offering Violence to HimselfOffering Violence by the Reading of the WordOffering Violence by the Hearing of the WordOffering Violence by PrayerOffering Violence by MeditationOffering Violence by Self-ExaminationOffering Violence by Sanctifying the Lord’s DayOffering Violence by Holy ConversationThe Christian Offering Violence to SatanThe Christian Offering Violence to the WorldThe Christian Offering Violence to HeavenArrows of Reproof to Those Not Offering ViolenceExamining Whether We Are Offering ViolenceObjections against Offering ViolenceMotives for Exhorting All Christians to Offer ViolenceTake Heed of Hindrances to Offering ViolenceDirections on How to Promote Offering ViolenceConclusion: What Shall We Do?

Appendix 1: The Happiness of Drawing Near to God

Appendix 2: How We May Read the Scriptures with Most Spiritual Profit