The Gates of Hell

"I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18

There is a profound truth hidden in this scripture. Throughout the Bible, both the church and the dwelling place of the enemy are viewed as walled kingdoms. In the case of the church, the walls represent salvation and no one can enter the city of God except they be born again.

However, in this passage, these gates are not part of the walls of salvation surrounding the church. They are part of the entrapping walls of the kingdom of darkness. They are said to be "gates of hell." Sadly, may people have been caught through the snares of the enemy. He has lied to them and trapped them, with little hope of escaping on their own.

However, there is indeed hope. As Caption of His army, Jesus is looking for soldiers (Christians) who are willing to go on the offensive and help Jesus take back what is rightfully His. Jesus loves sinners. He is asking us to enlist in His army and go to the devil's territory to rescue those in great need. This battle is not for the faint of heart, but when we get a real vision of lost souls trapped by the enemy, it should compel us to join the victorious army to help with their release.

The church is not to be an isolated compound that entraps its own citizens. It is to be a place of temporary nurturing in preparation for the real external battle, which is with the enemy and his forces of evil. When we view the church as a permanent place of gathering, we will cease the rescue mission that Jesus is calling us to do.

Thank God, with Jesus as our Caption, the church will prevail against the powers of Satan. There are no gates of hell that can stop us.