The Gates of Hell
Since our first parents disobeyed God some 6000 years ago there has been differing philosophies of life vying for our allegiance. Adam and Eve were given a spiritual and Godly philosophy from God himself and shortly after Satan introduced a competing philosophy.
In our day we have the teachings of scripture, the book of Mormon, the Koran, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and so on. They all want you and me to follow them as each claims to be the way of truth. In Matthew 16 Jesus warns his followers three times to be careful of what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught. They taught legalism, materialism and political activism as a means of spiritual reform.
Time was running out for Jesus to be with his followers and needed to spend quality time teaching them important principles. Needing to get away, one would think he would take them to a secluded place away from the world’s distractions. No so. He took them to the most pagan city in all Asia Minor, Caesarea Philippi. It was the center of Pan worship, the fertility god, along with other pagan idols and nymphs. Once a year they held a great festival boasting of their fertility God and other shrines (Here are pictures of Caesarea Philippi). The niches carved out of the rock for Pan and other idols is the place where Jesus took his disciples to teach some very important lessons. The hole in the rock is a deep cavern that drops sharply to a large body of water and an underground river. This opening was known as “The Gate of Hell.” It was believed that the pagan gods would enter the underworld from there and pass back-and-forth from hell to earth.
It was from there Jesus asked his disciples who people say he was. Peter made the powerful statement, “You are Jesus the Christ son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-14) Jesus is the living God standing in stark contrast to the dead gods of Pan and all the rest. Standing in front of the cave opening and the idols, Jesus makes a startling and bold statement: “I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) What did Jesus mean? If you look at the rock cliff at Caesarea Philippi it represented everything evil in the world. Everything that would come against Christianity, to the very end of time. The powerful truth of Jesus would replace the pagan worship represented by the cliff face. Jesus would build his church atop the ruins of the pagan world. God’s church (Christians) has prevailed and continues to prevail in pagan societies and the world throughout the ages. The persecuted church is alive and very well.
What is the mission of the Christian church? It is to challenge and overcome the pagan and secular values or philosophy of our world. The church is called to be on the offensive, aggressively confronting the values that destroy people and society. We are not called to be on the defensive and wait for problems to occur. We have the truth and the gates of hell will not and cannot overcome the truth of Christianity or Christians. For this reason we can boldly and confidently proclaim the gospel of salvation to all.
Do you look at the world through a biblical worldview? Share your faith knowing hell cannot stop you!
Discover this month the power of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.
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Morning Worship
Daily Devotions:
Our Daily Bread
The Word for You Today
Sermon Podcasts:
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Being Thirsty |
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The Salt of the Earth |
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God is Love |
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Get a Life! |
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The Gates of Hell |
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What a Revelation |
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Do You Love Me? |
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Cross |
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What an Entrance! |
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