Hell won’t conquer the church. Jesus, Himself, assures us, and this gives us hope. As you read this verse, it is inspirational. Matthew 16:18 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.[1] In ancient cultures, the city walls protected people from enemies on the outside. No matter what the enemy tries to do to the church, the Lord is a living wall surrounding the church and every believer.
Jesus is Our Protector
John 10:7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [2]
Jesus tells us that He the protective gate. In this passage, Jesus is the Shepherd who places himself in the gap in the wall as the gate. They would first have to come through the Shepherd to attack the sheep. The Lord is our protector. The thief’s goal is to destroy the sheep, but Jesus protects them and gives them life.
The enemy who attacks the church wants to open the gates or a door to destroy what Jesus is building. We cannot fight this spiritual battle alone but must rely on the Lord. Paul gives us insight into this battle. Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [3] Because God is all-powerful, He will protect the church He loves no matter what the enemy tries.
God Protects the Church to Carry Out the Mission
Before Jesus went into heaven, He gave the disciples the great commission to go into all the world and tell people the good news about Him. As the church moved forward then and now, it needs divine protection to carry out its mission of leading people to faith and discipling them.
As part of the church, you have experienced the battle in the invisible realm, even if you are unaware. In addition, you have experienced the Lord’s protection in these spiritual battles, even if you didn’t know it. What a fantastic God we have that gave His life for us on the cross, defeating sin, death, and the devil, and is the ultimate protector of His church.
Hell won’t conquer the church. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/follow-who-is-jesus
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 16:18). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.