Neville Goddard on Matthew 11:12

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets the scripture about taking the Kingdom of Heaven by violence not as an act of worldly aggression, but as a literal and powerful spiritual experience. This event is the climax of an internal journey where consciousness ascends the spine and forcefully re-enters the skull. The 'violence' and 'storm' described in the verse refer to the thunderous, reverberating sensation of this entry into heaven, which is located within your own head.

Key Concepts

• The Kingdom of Heaven is not a place in the sky but is located within your own skull.
• 'Taking it by violence' refers to the forceful manner of a specific spiritual experience, not physical aggression.
• This experience involves an ascent of consciousness up the spinal cord.
• The ascending consciousness is described as a 'fiery serpent' or 'spiral lightning.'
• The entry into the skull is a powerful event that causes the head to reverberate like thunder, likened to a hot rivet boring into steel.

Detailed Explanation

In Neville Goddard's teachings, the biblical statement that 'the Kingdom of Heaven is taken by violence' points to a profound, personal, and physiological spiritual event, not an external conflict. The entire drama unfolds within the individual, as the Kingdom of Heaven is understood to be located inside the human skull.

The process begins with an ascent of consciousness. This is described as a movement up the spinal cord, taking the form of a 'fiery serpent' or 'spiral lightning.' This ascent is the journey from the base of the spine back into the only heaven there is: your own skull.

The 'violence' mentioned in scripture refers to the culmination of this journey—the moment of entry into the skull. This re-entry is not gentle but is instead a powerful, forceful event. Neville describes it as causing the entire head to reverberate like thunder. He uses the analogy of a hot rivet being bored into steel to convey the intensity of this experience, where you feel 'riveted' as you penetrate and enter heaven. This thunderous, violent entry is how the Kingdom is taken 'by storm.'

Important Quotes

You will take the kingdom of heaven by storm.” (Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16 RSV) You take it with violence, for when you enter, you enter in the most violent manner and the nearest thing on earth that I can use to illustrate it would be a rivet.

— His Purpose

And the Kingdom of Heaven is taken by violence, and the violent take it by force.” That’s how you take the Kingdom. The whole Kingdom is in your skull.

— Experiencing Scripture

And when you enter, it will reverberate like thunder, as you are told in Scripture: they take it violently. “And the violent take it by storm.”

— Who Is The Son Of Man

Related Concepts

This interpretation connects to the central teaching of 'I AM' or the Self. The ascent begins after one contemplates a being of light and recognizes 'it is your Self,' fusing with it before the journey up the spine begins. The entire event is a core component of the larger spiritual drama that unfolds within the individual.

Common Misunderstandings

The primary misunderstanding of this verse is to interpret the words 'violence' and 'storm' literally, as relating to physical aggression, conflict, or forceful prayer in a worldly sense. The source material clarifies that this language describes the powerful, thunderous, and reverberating nature of an internal, spiritual experience of entering one's own skull.

Practical Applications

The provided passages describe a profound spiritual experience rather than offering a specific technique for daily application. The practical value lies in understanding the true nature of this scriptural passage. It reorients the student away from seeking a kingdom in the external world and toward recognizing that the ultimate spiritual drama, including the forceful entry into heaven, unfolds within their own body and consciousness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'taking heaven by violence' mean I should be aggressive in my prayers?

No. According to the source material, the 'violence' refers to the forceful, thunderous nature of a specific spiritual experience of entering your own skull, not to an aggressive attitude in prayer or life.

Where is the Kingdom of Heaven, according to this interpretation?

The Kingdom of Heaven is located entirely within your own wonderful human skull.

What does the spiritual ascent feel like?

It is described as a movement of consciousness up the spine, like a 'fiery serpent' or 'spiral lightning,' which culminates in a forceful entry into the skull that reverberates like thunder.