The strategy of the church against Satan is offensive not defensive.

Many people misunderstand that, especially when you read a naff transalation of Jesus’ charge to Peter “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (NASB) or “all the gates of hell will not conquer it” (NLT)

Since when do gates overpower or conquer an army? Don’t armies attack gates when they storm a city occupied by the enemy? Gates are defensive structures.

The literal translation is “The gates of Hades will not prevail against it”. How could gates ever overcome the Church? The traditional outlook is that global church is in danger of being destoyed by the enemy but God preserves it.

Jesus is saying something very different. Satan’s fortress is in danger – we are the invaders, who will knock down Hades gates and walls and release the prisoners in side.

Paul tells us the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary they have divine power to demolish strongholds ( 2Cor 10:4). New Testament strategy is offensive not defensive.So  we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all the earth. Not power to survive as a remnant in a bunker, but power to move out into the world and win people back to God.

Our great commission has been given by Jesus who has of all authority in heaven on earth . Out of that authority, we have been given authority to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20)

So let’s be a gateway for the gospel to go to the nations, not a fortress hunkering down hoping the gates of hell won’t overcome against us!