Matthew 11:11 says, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

 

John the Baptist was the forerunner for the ministry and life of Jesus, and he was considered by Jesus Himself as the greatest to be born. He baptized many unto repentance and prepared the way for the coming of the LORD! He preached the truth, even when it hurt, and most of his ministry occurred in the wilderness instead of a synagogue or temple. In spite of all of his successes, Jesus stated that the least in the kingdom is greater than he! 

 

If you have a misconception of the kingdom of heaven, you will miss what Jesus is trying to say. He was not talking about those saints in heaven because at this time, when believers and faithful worshippers of Yahweh died, they did not go straight to heaven, but they went to paradise in the heart of the earth (Luke 16:23; 1 Peter 3:19). They were unable to go to heaven until after Christ’s resurrection because the sin Lucifer committed in heaven had to be purged by the spotless blood of the Lamb of God (Matthew 27:52-53; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ephesians 2:12-13).

 

Therefore, this was not about going to heaven, but it was about the kingdom of heaven manifesting on earth! The least in the kingdom is greater than John the Baptist because John the Baptist, while he preached the baptism of repentance, did not receive from Christ the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire! Pastor Marvin Winans said, “The Holy Spirit is the introduction to the culture of the kingdom of heaven!” You cannot step into this realm without the presence of the Holy Spirit filling your heart and life! It is more than praying at an altar one time, but it is about following after Jesus and becoming fully devoted to the presence of God!