Matthew 16:15-19
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 7:24
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Luke 4:14-15
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Matthew 9:35-36
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Ephesians 2:8-22
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
...
I can't remember which teacher or preacher or philosopher or apologeticist or howsoever else, of the man's mettle, discussed a prior-unconsidered, yet wholly basic implication around hell's gates not prevailing...in such way as completely altered my understanding of the concept.
I had been always considering the idea as our positions in Christ being predominantly defensive, in the midst of the world. But that is not the case.
Nor is it, I believe, the case that we're supposed to strategize ways to "take strongholds," as goes (what I consider to be) a heretical modern movement's stance. We don't set up nights and plan it out. We don't stake out territory. We submit ourselves to God and do as He leads. Abiding. Led of the Spirit. Not directing the course, ourselves, according to our limited, fallible intellects and understanding.
But led into battle. For love of the Lord, for love of others. Continually being reminded of His lovingkindness and mercies toward us each, loving Him all the more...then, we do dare tread where He leads--though it be into the furnace.
This isn't a course of self-exaltation, following Christ. But of increasing humiliation and deference.
Continually being confronted all the more blatantly with our own impotence and insufficiency, in the face of impossible odds. Trusting Him to guide and guard and redeem, where we tread. Even redeeming our own failures, as we're led to repent in the wake of them--grief-stricken, though knowing He will have mercy.
All the while, storming the gates of hell, nonetheless. Boldly, in Christ. Yet not arrogantly--for knowing no power rests in oneself, but only in Christ. Also knowing He knows exactly what needs to happen to effect His desired end--whether we are crushed over the course of the process or delivered from death and reviling many times. Either way, knowing He will be glorified in and through us, we may find solace there, find contentment and resolve in reflecting upon His sovereignty.
Submitting increasingly to His leading, if ever imperfectly. Being all the more devastated of one's own wickedness and flaws, but always in the glorious light of becoming more aware of God's redemptive mercies and grace being that much more consuming that could have been conceived. Humility unto gratitude. Casting oneself then upon Him in mercy with ardent relief and abject thankfulness. Gratefully submitting all the more wholeheartedly, having been all the more deeply stricken with realization of the magnitude of His forgiveness and provisions:
He can be trusted to guide, to guard, to direct, to correct, and to provide whatever is needful. To thus increasingly be aware of and deeply convinced of the reality of who and how our God is...is a blessing beyond measure: By grace of His Word, His Spirit, the testimony of Christ's work in us and through us as we are led by Him, intimately.
We are not self-exalted, then. But increasingly abased, in favor of flinging all cares and concerns upon the One who is more Beloved than any else could ever dare to be. For sake of knowing Him, loving Him, and desiring His fellowship and to honor Him and serve Him uprightly...and to serve those whom He loves--all the world, for whom He died. This, while knowing that those who reject Him choose condemnation. While still, the Word says Christ did come because God so love the world, died for the sins of the world...
...though it also says not all come to Him, accepting these terms. Many reject His mercy.
But infinity is not marred nor displaced by rejection, by any count. All is all--never any the less, nor any the more. Whether apportioned or not, as to each which refuses, refusal of such an extended offer is not aggregated toward some greater whole than had already consisted.
Regardless, though, of that...
...this idea again, of storming the gates of hell. As He leads...
One of the demonic threats I'd received a few years ago centered around the idea of their dogged refusal to be cowed and that they would not be exhausted, but would use every bit of even my own intellect against me to foil whatever good might be pursued, effected [this is significantly paraphrased, detailing a primary facet of the threat]--such that there would be nothing I could do without it being known and countered, upon my very inclination (and ultimately also with the threat to my well-being and life, constituent).
But the thing is, if we walk by the Spirit and submit to God (reverse the order, there, though both sequences are applicable)...He guides in ways which we aren't even aware of occurring. This is evident. We don't know tomorrow. He does. And as it's His Spirit which guides those who are His, then He guides in such a way that we "walk in the good deeds prepared for us," basically.
So, as far as attempts to counter what the Lord intends...?
...the only one who knows the finer points of how He will do things is God, Himself. That's not really open to being countermanded. He's above all.
To consider, as even prophecy goes, He reveals matters in such a way that He has said that once the prophecy is fulfilled, then we will know that it was Him who did it. Meaning, while it's even going on we won't comprehend that it is in effect a fulfillment of what had been revealed by Him in ages past. Not until after it's done. Then, it'll be obvious. Afterwards. Not before. Not during.
This is evidenced throughout Scripture. Starting, at the very latest, with the protoevangelium in Genesis 3.
Regarding which--I don't know about you all, but I didn't even recognize that passage as a foretelling of the Gospel of Christ until years after having known Him. But now that I do recognize it as such, it's just so utterly simple--absolutely clear, in terms of what did happen when Christ came. And of how things are, now that He has overcome the world.
Likewise, of so many other prophecies. All the prophecies given to Moses regarding the fate of the nation of Israel?--blessings and curses, particularly. They're pretty straightforward, in many ways--and still playing out in the world, as we defy God in so many different ways. And these have been fulfilled as even more explicitly literal than the protoevangelium might be seem to be.
But there are even more (quantitatively speaking) literal (vs metaphorical--though also many metaphorical) revelations regarding Christ Jesus. Things about His birthplace. About being called "out of Egypt," and so many other things. Some of which the Gospels note were recognized as describing the experience and life of the coming Messiah, but still...apart from perhaps the wise men (who weren't even Jewish, from the sounds of it)...many folks didn't recognize the fulfillment of prophecy until after the fact (many still haven't; see: majority of God's people, those entrusted with the oracles of God; i.e., the nation of Israel). Again and again, there are disclosures that Jesus made or things He did which the disciples didn't understand or connect explicitly with prophecy until after He had died and ascended. And He'd even been explicitly clear about particular things, like His death--but folks just didn't grasp it. Until after the fact--after He'd resurrected, when everything changed. Then, it seems to have suddenly clicked into place. Eyes were opened. Like on the road to Emaus--did our hearts not burn within us?
Same deal, as that. Eyes and hearts blinded. Until suddenly, the veil is rent.
Then, clarity comes that God has been moving in ways which He has said He would.
The gates of hell did not prevail against Jesus. Tried, but did not. Tried to kill Him, then to tempt Him, then ultimately did kill Him--all without realizing that over course of the all, God's redemptive work for humanity was being accomplished. What a foil of the enemy's plot to oust God!: The greatest seeming victory was that which ultimately constituted defeat: Christ's heel was bruised, but the enemy's head was crushed.
He sent His disciples out, at one time, telling them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Which, the more I pray about--in context of very trying situations--the more I am convinced indicates there's awareness of the dangers, realization of the complexities of circumstances, honest appraisals of the impossibilities and willingness to conscientiously deal diplomatically and with great discernment...all while understanding that the only way through is under the hand of God, keeping one's head down, bowed low in humility and surrender to the reality of neediness: hoping and praying all will go in a way which honors God and draws others to Him, in love. Not striking out at others, then, but submitting desperately to God and trusting Him to guide. Even through impossible, difficult, painful, terrifying terrain.
And in the the face of impossibilities and terrors, for the love of God and of man, going in anyways. As and when He leads. Then, trusting His hand to continue to guide. And trusting Him to give words of loving truth, even though they may be very bold and forthright, or even seeming harsh--yet without rancor, malice, vindictiveness. But speaking truth lovingly, desiring reconciliation, instead of any harm. For all.
Ultimately unto God.
All this, knowing God alone can effect such changes of heart unto changes of circumstance, though. By the Gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation.
He is so kind, though. He continually gives glimpses of His work going on. In the midst of discouragement and despair and uncertainties--all of which are turned unto Him, in His direction pleading mercies and trusting He will provide, despite the heart's darkened state of mourning all it sees...
...in the midst, He is so gracious as to offer unexpected glimpses of the reality of His work, ongoing. Succor. Manna in the wilderness. Living water to a parched soul, to know He is near. Never far. Always with us.
And He will guide. So, the gates of hell will not prevail against us.
