How can the “gates of hell” prevail against us?
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In the entire Scriptures, the phrase “Gates of hell” or “gates of Hades” is found only once, in Matthew
16:18.
The phrase the “gates of hell” is translated in some versions as the “gates
of Hades (hey-deez).”
In this passage, Jesus is referring to the building of His
Church: “And I tell you,
you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
At that time Jesus had not yet established His Church.
This is the first mention of the word “Church” in the New
Testament.
The first mention usually defines the meaning of the word – in
this case, the “Church” –
the Ekklesia – is a
militant, victorious Church on the offensive.
The word Church, as used by Jesus, is derived from the Greek “Ekklesia,” which means the “called-out
ones” or “assembly.”
The “Church” that Jesus refers to as His
church is the assembly of people who have been called out of the
world by the gospel of Christ. This does not refer to any particular
group or denomination who lay claim to have the exclusive pathways to
salvation.
Bible scholars debated the actual meaning of the phrase “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The better interpretation to the meaning of this phrase is
as follows: in ancient times, the
cities were surrounded by high walls with strong gates.
In times of war the gates of these cities would be the first
place to be assaulted by the attacking army. This was because the protection of
the city was determined by the strength or power of its gates.
As such, the “gates of hell” or “gates of Hades” means the power of Hades.
In classical mythology, it was believed that “Hades”(Pluto)
was the name of the god who presided over the realm of the dead. The “house of
Hades” referred to the underworld inhabited by departed souls.
In the New Testament, Hades is the realm of the dead. In
this verse Hades or hell is represented as a mighty city with its gates
representing its power.
Jesus refers here to His impending death.
Though He would be crucified and buried, He would rise from
the dead and build His Church – the “Ekklesia.”
Jesus is emphasizing the fact that the powers of death could not hold Him in.
He would establish His Church in spite of the powers of
Hades or hell. And the Church would thrive in spite of these powers.
The Church will never fail, even if generation after
generation succumbs to the power of physical death, yet other generations will
arise to perpetuate the Church.
And the Church will continue until it has fulfilled its
mission on earth as Jesus has commanded:
“All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Jesus was declaring that death has no power to
hold
captive the people of God.
The “gates of hell” are not strong
enough to overpower and keep imprisoned the Church of God – the Lord’s very own people asleep in Jesus.
The Lord has conquered death (Romans 8:2; Acts 2:24).
And because “death no longer is master over Him (Jesus)” (Romans 6:9), it is no longer
master over those who belong to Him. Hallelujah!
Satan has the power of death, and he will always use that
power to try to destroy the Church of Christ.
But we have this promise from the Lord Jesus that His
church, the “called-out ones” will prevail: “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more,
but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 4:19).
Are you struggling with a big decision or
wondering how your eternal future will play out?
Why not talk to the God of the universe and
let Him work in your behalf?
He says, “I
will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with
my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).
Ask God to show you what to do. Pray the
following prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins
have separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life
and begin a new life with You.
Please forgive me. I now receive your
Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess
that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all that Jesus
Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call
on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus
Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father,
but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to
come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me
eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift
of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I surrender my life to You. I promise to
study Your Word – the Bible.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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The Battle Is the Lord's. The
battle must always be the Lord's.
“War Song”
Robert Gay
lyrics
We have a weapon of warfare
The praises of God in our mouth
We have the Sword of the Spirit,
The word of truth. The word of God.
For no weapon formed
Against us will prosper.
For the battle is the LORD’s
And He’ll not fail.
We will go forth
And praise the name of Jesus.
And execute His vengeance
On the powers of the air.
As we clap our hands
We will strike the enemy
As we dance with joy
The hosts of hell will flee
As we lift our hands
His banner will be raised.
And with a shout of Victory
(WOOO) His name
Will be praised.
For no weapon formed
Against us will prosper.
For the battle is the LORD’s
And He’ll not fail.
We will go forth
And praise the name of Jesus.
And execute His vengeance
On the powers of the air.
As we clap our hands
We will strike the enemy
As we dance with joy
The hosts of hell will flee
As we lift our hands
His banner will be raised.
And with a shout of Victory
(WOOO) His name
Will be praised.
As we clap our hands
We will strike the enemy
As we dance with joy
The hosts of hell will flee
As we lift our hands
His banner will be raised.
And with a shout of Victory
(WOOO) His name
Will be praised.
As we clap our hands
We will strike the enemy
As we dance with joy
The hosts of hell will flee
As we lift our hands
His banner will be raised.
And with a shout of Victory
(WOOO) His name
Will be praised.
a shout of Victory
(WOOO)
a shout of Victory
a shout of Victory
His name
Will be praised.
Indeed!
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