The Gates of Hell vs. the Reassurance of God
The Gates of Hell vs. the Reassurance of God.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi with His disciples, He asked them, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.‘ ‘But what about you?’ He asked them. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by books or teachers. My Father in heaven, God Himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And I tell you that you are Peter (‘petros’ = a single small rock), and on this rock (‘petra’ = a cliff or massive rock formation) I will build my church, and the Gates of Hades will not overcome it…’” (Matthew 16:13-18).
There are two different ways for a believer to understand the term “Gates of Hell” that Jesus used in this passage. The term can be understood first as a figure of speech, representing something along the lines of the powers of death, the powers of darkness, the stronghold of destruction. So the Gates of Hell, or Hades, could be referring to the very power the brings death to us all, the powers of darkness that usher us into the stronghold of death itself. Gates are symbols of strength and defense and protection, so the Gates of Hell symbolize the entry point that will bring people to death and keep them imprisoned within evil.
Another way to understand ‘Gates of Hell’ is to see it as a literal place of evil and death, a physically real complex of pagan worship sites in Caesarea Philippi that was as wicked as wicked can be, a huge rocky cliff outside of a Greek city only a few miles from the home town of Jesus, dedicated to celebrating the wickedness of the evil one.
And now what… Are we to storm the gates of hell, taking the offensive against evil? Or are we to hide under the shadow of His wings and claim God to be a refuge against any powers of death perpetrated against His followers? Actually, both. Jesus will build His church with the spiritual power to overcome the gates of Hell, while also providing refuge from the evil in this world. The Church… both a rescue operation and a refuge from evil, playing both offense and defense.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:14-16, NIV).
The theme of Psalm 91 is the divine protection of the believer from sinister forces. The early Church stated clearly that this psalm was centering on the safety found in the presence of God from satanic attack. Such references as the lion, the cobra and the serpent were all symbols of demonic spirits and their powerless attacks against the believer. Satan himself used this psalm, or should we say misused it, when he quoted verse 12 during his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6). This psalm is prayed nightly around the world by a wide variety of Christians and Jews. In verses 14-16, the person speaking is the Lord Himself, addressing the believer who puts God first. What a reassurance as we peacefully drift off to sleep. Let this be the last thing we think of before we begin our rest.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will exalt him on high, because he knows and understands My name – he has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love and kindness – he trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Ps. 91:14-16, The Amplified Bible).
“Since he clings to me I rescue him; I raise him high since he acknowledges my name. He calls to me and I answer him. In distress I am at his side. I rescue him and bring him honor. I shall satisfy him with long life, and grant him to see my salvation.” (Ps. 91:14-16, New Jerusalem Bible).
“For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: ‘Because you have delighted in me as my great lover, I will greatly protect you. I will set you in a high place, safe and secure before my face. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence, even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast. You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!” (Ps. 91:14-16, The Passion Translation).
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!” (Ps. 91:14-16, the Message).