Heaven Taken by Storm

by Thomas Watson

I got excited to read this book while reading He Conquers Who Conquers Himself.

I’ve read Watson’s Godly Man’s Picture a couple times, and while this one is good, it’s not as good. It had many excellent one-liners, but not as obviously building momentum.

That said, Watson was working off of Matthew 11:12, which in the KJV ends with: “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Go get it. It’s not for the faint of heart. So Watson: “only those who are truly determined will make it into heaven.”

It’s a book for those who believe in Christ and now need to learn to “obey all that Christ commanded.” Salvation is by faith, and Watson emphasizes that faith without zealous works is dead.

“Who will put in the effort for Heaven if they think it can be obtained more easily? But if it’s so simple, why did Christ say to strive as if in agony? Why did Paul need to discipline his body? Why does the text mention taking the kingdom by force?”

3 of 5 stars