What is the Gates of Hell?

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matt. 16:18 – KJV)

• Satan’s domain?

   ▪ If so, Satan is the ruler of Hell

   ▪ If so, what relationship would the Hell have with the church?

• The Greek word is Hades, which can mean in Greek:

   ▪ The place of the dead (Acts 2:27)

   ▪ Underworld prison where souls await judgment (Lk. 16:23)

   ▪ Personified as following after Death (Rev. 6:8)

             

• The term “Gates of Hades” is used in the OT:

   ▪ Be gracious to me, O LORD; See my affliction from 

      those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates 

      of death.  (Ps. 9:13)

   ▪ A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness 

      and recovery:  I said, "In the middle of my life I am to         

      enter the gates of Sheol; I am to be deprived of the 

      rest of my years."   (Isa. 38:10)

• The meaning of Matthew 16:18 is:

    ▪ Death has no power over the church

    ▪ Just as death could not hold Jesus, death cannot hold 
       the church!