Hell!

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .Death is also a door.


GATES of HELL"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build MY church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." [Matthew 16. 18]
Many take this verse to teach security, that although ha'Satan and his henchmen are attacking, the church and the CHRISTians are safe within their fortress. In fact, many translators understand GATES metaphorically, feeling that since gates are strong and important, they can be viewed as synonymous with power. . .implying that the "power of hell" is assembled against the church of LORD JESUS CHRIST.
However, it never appears, in any case, to be understood to mean "power" - it always means "gates" - - either literal gates in a literal wall or a figurative entryway. The text is not talking about the Power of Hell, but the Gates of Hell. It pictures CHRISTians on the attack, not of ha'Satan endeavoring to destroy CHRIST-like-ones. The forces of evil are the wretched hopeless ones crouched within their stronghold, while the CHURCH is battering down their gates!
For the promises in the OLD COVENANT are still true, our HEAVENLY CONQUEROR unceasingly fights for HIS saints today. "The LORD shall go forth like a MIGHTY WARRIOR; HE whips up HIS rage like a man of war. HE shall cry out, yes, roars aloud; HE charges and shall prevail upon HIS enemies." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 42. 13 Tanakh, Nevi'im] Though the enemy be as "a fortified bronze wall they shall not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver and save you - says the LORD. I will save you from the hands of the wicked and rescue you from the clutches of the violent" says the LORD GOD OF ISRAEL. [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 15. 20 - 21 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST JESUS." [2 Corinthians 10. 4 - 5] These verses sound the battle cry, and the battleground is the minds of men. We are commanded to cast down (Hebrew: shachach - literally meaning demolish) improper reasoning and arrogant philosophy, capturing every thought (mind) for MESSIAH YESHUA, thereby destroying the entrenchment's of evil.
There is a time for defense, but let us never forget, we as followers and joint-heirs of CHRIST are to be on the offensive as well. The CONQUERING VICTORIOUS MESSIAH, WHO leads us into the battle, will certainly lead us to a glorious victory! Praise to our ETERNALLY MAGNIFICENT KING JESUS forever, the battle is triumphantly won.