Prevailing Against the Gates of Hades
There have been all kinds of reasons suggested for the decline of Christianity in the West while secular postmodernism continues to gain momentum. Whole ministries are devoted to restoring Christianity in the public place. Yet secularism continues to increase.
It's common to hear scriptures quoted in support of efforts to turn the tide, but they seem little more than empty platitudes in the midst of a profane culture. One of the most used scriptures is Matthew 16:18 where Jesus says the gates of Hades will not be able to prevail against the community that Jesus builds. However, what we see occurring in our culture appears to be the reverse, with the gates of Hades prevailing against God's people. How can this be?
Could it be that without community the gates of Hades will prevail? Could it be that the only thing that will prevail against the gates of Hades will be the community of Jesus - not individuals devoted to Jesus, or even individual groups devoted to Jesus, but a community devoted to Jesus?
Is community the only thing that will stop the decline of Western Christianity? Is community the only effective means whereby the mission of God can be effectively carried out? If not, what's the alternative?
It's common to hear scriptures quoted in support of efforts to turn the tide, but they seem little more than empty platitudes in the midst of a profane culture. One of the most used scriptures is Matthew 16:18 where Jesus says the gates of Hades will not be able to prevail against the community that Jesus builds. However, what we see occurring in our culture appears to be the reverse, with the gates of Hades prevailing against God's people. How can this be?
Could it be that without community the gates of Hades will prevail? Could it be that the only thing that will prevail against the gates of Hades will be the community of Jesus - not individuals devoted to Jesus, or even individual groups devoted to Jesus, but a community devoted to Jesus?
Is community the only thing that will stop the decline of Western Christianity? Is community the only effective means whereby the mission of God can be effectively carried out? If not, what's the alternative?
If I might throw my two cents in here.
Mat. 16:18 in context... Jesus is asking who they say he is? Peter's response is given to him by divine revelation, and Jesus says "upon this rock I will build my church" What rock? Are there other rocks? Jesus goes on to say "and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it". Prevail against what? The Church?
Then Jesus says something interesting; "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven", or God.
What I find interesting is that Jesus has been going around through all the villages and towns proclaiming the Kingdom saying "it's upon you, near you, not hear yet, and coming". As I reread the Mat.16 passage I see that Peter's divine revelation came by way of the Spirit revealing Jesus to him. His presence or his Kingdom had come to Peter and of this there is nothing that can come against, not even the gates of Hades.
In my understanding Jesus is building his Kingdom of which we the "Ekklesia" = called out ones, church get to participate in if we choose.
I believe the keys to the Kingdom we receive is the understanding that his Kingdom is simultaneously here, near, delayed, and coming all at the same time. In us, upon us, not yet. and coming in fullness. The beauty is His kingdom can breakthrough at any given moment if were looking for it, and sometimes in spite of us.
Just my two cents and thoughts as I read the blog today Carm.
Reply to this
Oh yeah,
And this maybe why we in the western culture have failed as a church?
Reply to this
I find myself weeping often for the state of the church in the US. I live in N.Ga. and things if things here are a reflection of the rest of America we are in deep need of an infusion of spiritual hunger and a spirit that will cry out for an increase of hunger. A.W. Tozer once prayed this in his book 'The Pursuit of God" II want to want Thee, I long to be filled with longing, I thirst to be made more thirsty, that I may know Thee oh God. I wrote a song with these words and added "Say to my soul rise up my love, and my fair one and come away. And give me the grace Lord to rise up and follow Thee from this lowland where I have stayed. 2. Draw me draw me, and I will run after Thee. Make me make me. And I will be like Thee Then shalt Thou see the travail of the soul and be most satisfied. A child shall come forth , a bride oh a wife, a people Thy Spirit has born.
I am unable to identify with the institutional church any longer and meet with some hungry ones that seek the Lord on Monday evenings. Pray for a move of God in North Georgia.
In Him,
Jim
Reply to this
"The gates of hell" or "hades", to the Jews to whom Matthew wrote connoted death. In effect, Jesus said that death would not prevent the church from advancing. He was right! Think about it!
Reply to this
When Jesus called us His Ecclesia - it was a loaded statement, both politically and religiously. The Ecclesia was the ancient Greek's democratic system of government. In a day when the Roman system had taken over this would've been viewed as a treasenous statement. But the Ecclesia was a communal form of government. It had real power and authority because of its communal nature. Also, the Gates of Hades wasn't just a mythological idea. It was an actual literal location just outside Caesarea Philippi. It was a cave thought to be where spirits passed to and from the underworld. Thought to be the birthplace of Pan. A temple set up to worship Pan was found there. Along with it temple prostition and other "evil" deeds. I believe Jesus declared to His followers that day and to us today that wherever evil is found His ecclesia would be found stronger. It's a charge, a missional challenge. Our ministry began praying, "God show us where the Gates of Hell are set up and send us there." Since then, we've litterally been changing the "culture" of Toledo Ohio. We have felt a divine sense to love and serve those living with HIV/AIDS. WE have been a key influence on an AIDS Walk happenning. We are hosting a prayer vigil and worship concert following the walk. We have won favor in the gay community. Not enough space to tell all here. But we should read that as a missional charge to confront evil, not people, the battle is spiritual, we love people and confront disease, poverty, slavery seeing people liberated and joining with us in the mission of God to redeem all things.
Reply to this