The Gates Of Hades Shall Not Prevail Against It

Matthew 16:13-19


When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?"  So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven, and I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will BUILD My church, and THE GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Jesus surely is building His church, "sanctifying and cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."
(Ephesians 5:26,27)

God the Father raised Jesus Christ up from the dead.........."and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
(Ephesians 1:22,23)

If you ask a wood craftsman to build a piece of furniture, he would gather the necessary components for completion of the task, and with the wisdom which he had attained through experience and successful completion of other projects, he would finish the task. He has the understanding to make a nice piece of furniture from spiritless components. As Jesus builds His church, He works through the spirit for the soul. We have a decision to make. Wood, nails, glue, stain or paint have nothing to say about their future. We must agree to receive Him as He comes; to surrender so He may build.

What He is able to build in us individually and corporately, by way of our understanding and willingness to surrender to Him completely, will sustain us just as the Father did Him as He finished at the cross. All know that the gates of Hades could not keep Him from finishing!