I had been working on this a few weeks ago.Couple good resources will shed some light,Strong's,Thayer's lexicon-will give some info on the actual words/usage.
"Violence"in our culture is usually thought of in a negative concept,in Strong's it is more like "unrighteous/unworthy".So,this puts a whole new emphasis,since we ALL are unrighteous/unworthy before coming to CHRIST-it's more of a factual statement of our unregenerated state.
With John's advent;new hope is given as the GOSPEL of salvation is preached with the POWER and miracles of CHRIST/HOLY SPIRIT;and people eagerly embrace JESUS and reject the pharisees.From writings of William Hendrickson;JESUS is emphasizing one cannot sleep his way into the KINGDOM-entrance into CHRIST's KINGDOM requires endeavor,energy,exertion.(a tad different than what is preached today).
Something from Dr. Arno C. Gabebelein(1910) wrote"John was rejected violently by pharisees,as was JESUS.John's ministry was exclusively to the Jews;if they had accepted him;he would have been as Elais (Elijah) will be during the tribulation."So, on one hand the KINGDOM was violenty rejected,yet others gladly pressed in and received IT(CHRIST).
Since Elais will return one more,then"no violence can keep back the coming of the KINGDOM of the HEAVENs"(Dr.A.C.G.)
Several books by Bruce Wilkinson might be helpful,(prayer of Jabez,A Life GOD Rewards,Secrets of the Vine).Bruce has a gift of taking some deep concepts and presenting them simply.The books i mentioned are small/short /easy reads.I've found several at the Dollar store.
Here's a small point that touches on this discussion;salvation is a free gift of JESUS;not of a mans' work;can't be earned,can't be worked for.We need to earnestly embrace all that JESUS has done(suffer the KINGDOM violence).But then,the CONTINUAL pressing in-is to "do the work of the KINGDOM".Look at REV :2-4;where JESUS says to "return and DO the first work"(preach to the lost);"return to FIRST LOVE(JESUS)".
JESUS said "you WILL do this,AND greater!!(referring to the miracles) HE did.This is where the church today is LACKING the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT,it is NOT enough to gather IN a building for a couple hours to get your spiritual jollies;the real test is "taking it to the streets".As Isaiah:61 says "to preach the GOSPEL of good news(JESUS).
