Storming Heaven
Puritan: Thomas Watson
Source: Heaven Taken by Storm
Originally Delivered: 1669, London, England
The Lord’s Day: August 30, 2026
“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” – Matt. 11:12
We must offer violence to heaven. Though heaven is given us freely, yet we must take pains for it. Canaan was given to Israel freely, but they had to fight with the Canaanites. Though our salvation in respect of Christ is a purchase, yet in respect of us it is a conquest. If Christ thought the soul worth shedding His blood, well may we think it worth spending our sweat.
If there must be this offering violence, it shows us it is not so easy a thing as men imagine to get to heaven. There are so many precepts to obey, so many promises to believe, so many rocks to avoid, that it is a difficult matter to be saved.
Some fancy a fine easy way to heaven, an idle wish, a death-bed tear. But the text tells us of offering violence. Alas, there is a great work to be done! The bias of the heart is to be changed. Man by nature not only wants grace, but hates it. He has an envenomed spirit against goodness and is angry with converting grace. And is it easy to have the heart metamorphosed? For the proud heart to be made humble? For the earthly heart to be made heavenly? Can this be done without using violence? It is all uphill to heaven, and it will make us sweat before we get to the top of the hill. Indeed, hell will be taken without storm. The gates of hell, like that iron gate, open of their own accord (Acts 12:10).
But if we get to heaven, we must force our way. We must besiege it with sighs and tears and get the scaling ladder of faith to storm it. We must not only work, but fight. A Christian is commanded upon hot service. He must charge through the whole army of his lusts, every one of which is stronger than Goliath. A Christian has not time to lie fallow. He must be either praying or watching – either upon the mount, or in the valley – on the mount of faith, or in the valley of humiliation.
If the angels in heaven are busying themselves in noble and honorable employment, how industrious should we be who are getting up the hill of God, and have not yet arrived at a state of glory? Is salvation work so easy? Oh no, there must be offering violence.
Some think free grace will save them; but it must be in the use of means. “Watch and pray” (Matt. 26:41). Others say that the promises will bring them to heaven. But the promises of the word are not to be separated from the precepts. The promise tells us of a crown, but the precept says, “So run” (1 Cor. 9:24). The promises are made to encourage faith, not to cherish sloth.
But, say others, Christ has died for sinners; and so, they leave Him to do all for them, and they will do nothing. Then the text is out of date! And all the exhortations to striving, and “fighting the good fight of faith” are in vain! Our salvation cost Christ’s blood; it will cost us sweat. The boat may as well get to shore without rowing, as we can to heaven without offering violence.