Topic: In our churches, we overcome the gates of hell in all shapes and shades
Texts: Matt. 16:18; Rev. 12:11.
EXPOSITION:
The Body of Christ where you and I are domiciled to worship with other believers is an embodiment of the universal church of Christ, the Groom of the church. He loved the church to the extent of giving His life for her. Even as He is seated presently at the right hand of God the Father, He continues to keep watch over the church, interceding, advocating for her.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven He prayed for the unity and wellbeing of the church (John 17:20-21). In Matt. 16:18 He said to Peter, in the company of other disciples, “…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” This should be taken as a true declaration, valid, operational, and effectual for all times and seasons.
In Revelation chapter 12, the accuser of the brethren is identified as the ‘the great dragon’, ‘that serpent’ of old, ‘the Devil and Satan’ who specialises in accusing and deceiving the brethren, introducing false doctrines, abominable and ungodly practices into the church and causing mischiefs of all sorts! These and more of satanic evil devices constitute the gates of hell contending against the church. But the Blood of Jesus will continue to prevail over and against them.
As ‘the great dragon’, ‘that old serpent’ was overcome by the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God, so will we overcome and triumph over him and his cohorts by our prevailing prayers; gates of bronze shall be uprooted and shattered; bars of iron shall be cut asunder, they will rise no more against the church and against us as individuals in the name of Jesus.
God bless you. SHALOM.
(Oasis).
