Invading Hell's Gates
When discussing spiritual warfare our minds recall a host of personal experiences and deep-seated ideas that shape the way we think about the topic. We reflect on times we experienced oppressive fears or tormenting temptations. We remember seasons in which we endured unusual loss, confusion and pain. When we consider how we engage spiritual warfare, our mind pulls out files on topics such as: intercessory prayer, fasting, worship and repentance.
Reference points of personal experiences and spiritual practices shape the way we think about this important topic.
Still, I have to wonder, is this how the Apostles would have understood spiritual warfare? Would Peter, James and John have viewed this topic in terms of protecting themselves from the assault of the evil one? Would they have viewed their role in warfare as a reaction to the devil? Would the Apostles have thought only in terms of defense?
The Apostles' view of spiritual warfare would have been shaped by the words of Jesus which they heard with their own ears:
"I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).
Did you notice the word picture Jesus made? It wasn't a picture of the Church hunkering down and simply enduring the assault of the enemy (although there may be times for that). The word picture Jesus gave was of Him building a Church that would invade the gates of hell. Last time I checked, gates are not offensive weapons; they are defensive mechanisms designed to keep the bad guys out!
Please don't miss this.
Jesus is building a Church who will invade hell's gates!
When they heard these words, the Apostles would have immediately connected this word picture to their own personal experience with Jesus. They would have recalled the countless physical healings he performed. They would have thought of all the times He cast out demons with a word. They would have pondered the times He raised the dead to life. They would have remembered the many ways they witnessed Jesus invading hell's gates during His earthly ministry. These experiences would have shaped their understanding of the Church and of spiritual warfare.
For the Apostles, spiritual warfare was not merely defensive, but an offensive reality of the Church.
Jesus is building a Church who will invade hell's gates. The question is, do we know how?
Tune in to “Most Aggressive Spiritual Warfare” of Jesus Movement Now and learn (5) practical steps you can take in 2021 to join Jesus in His work of invading hell's gates.
Check out Adam's full-length sermon "A Hell-Invading Church"
You can gain skills to interpret prophetic revelation.
ABOUT ADAM
Adam Narciso is the visionary and pioneer of Catalyst Ministries, a training and global outreach mission for the next generation. Since 2009 Adam has trained and mobilized over 40 international evangelism teams and has equipped thousands in the areas of identity, hearing God and evangelism via seminars around the world. Adam has preached the gospel in city campaigns, universities, high schools and bamboo huts in remote villages, all with supernatural effect. Communicating with humor and fresh biblical insight, Adam is a unique prophetic evangelist who equips everyday Jesus-followers to live authentic, New Testament Christianity, discovering their highest joy in the Great Commandment and their unique assignment in the Great Commission.
Adam is author of New Identity: 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Transformation and producer of multiple e-courses and the Jesus Movement Now Podcast. He and his wife, Jenny, have four children and reside in Franklin, TN.
Adam is ordained through Messenger Fellowship, an international community of leaders, churches and ministries committed to the glory of God.
