The Gates of Hell Will NOT Prevail
I have had the privilege all this week of teaching a doctoral course on the Theology of the Book of Acts. My students are pastors and educators who live not only in the USA but also in the Philippines and Nepal. (The time zone change is challenging for some, but at least we do not need the gift of tongues since they all speak English!)
The Book of Acts seems to be more relevant every day, for in it we see our own culture that is degrading in its cultural perversion and growing in its physical and psychological persecution upon the Church of Jesus.
The persecution of Christians is now growing in every corner of the globe. The form of this persecution takes many forms. Often it is direct and physical, other times it is indirect and aimed to do psychological damage, seeking to destroy our spirit. The declaration of the Apostle Paul is always appropriate:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Jesus reminds us; "I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail." Of course, that does not mean that the devil will not do his best to destroy the Church.
As we open a new decade, we see in America a spiritual battle the likes of which we have not seen in this country before. Wisdom would encourage us to be mindful of the day we are living in. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5, "redeem the time, for the days are evil."
Might I also suggest that we make it our practice to pray regularly for our brothers and sisters who are living in hostile places like China, Iran, Somalia, Nepal, Pakistan and many other locations where it is illegal to be a Christian and a person could pay with their life for proclaiming loyalty to Jesus Christ.
Until He comes for us,
Fred