Smashing Down the Gates of Hell – by Eliezer Gonzalez
May 12, 2015 1807
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. – Matthew 16:18
I never really understood what Jesus meant when he said these words, because for far too long my Christianity has always been a defensive kind of Christianity. You know, all about just having the right answers, keeping the world out, looking over my shoulder… – that kind of thing. But now that I have understood what Jesus was really talking about here, it really is exciting.
In ancient times the fiercest fighting was always to gain control of the gates of the city. These were the strongest point of defence, and if an attacking army could destroy the gates, then all was lost for the defenders.
You see, I thought that Jesus was talking about a defensive military action here, as if hell was attacking the church, and eventually the church would win. The people in a besieged city always suffered terribly from hunger, thirst and disease. That’s kind of sad news for us, then.
When you understand the Bible properly, sad news gets turned into glad news!
Because I was entirely wrong. The image here is of the church – the messengers of the good news of the kingdom of God – battering down and totally smashing the very gates of hell.
I thought it was the church under siege, but it isn’t! It is the other way round.
Under our victorious Lord, it is us – the church – who are conducting the offensive action. We are attacking hell at its strongest point, and we have the guarantee of our Commander that we will win! The gates of hell will not withstand the proclamation of the gospel.
They will be smashed in the name of Jesus, and its captives freed! There will be sin and death no more, because Christ has overcome!
There is victory for sure, for those who believe in Jesus!
– Eliezer Gonzalez
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