“I will build My church upon this rock” VS “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 1:18)

 

“I will build My church upon this rock” VS “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18; Rev. 1:18)

Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for it was not flesh that revealed it to you, but my Father in heaven.”

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome her.

🔹 Comparative Table

Item	I will build My church upon this rock	The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it
Meaning	Christ builds the church on the revelation of Himself as the Son of God	Satan’s authority of death and Hades cannot overcome such a church
Reason	Christ is God, resurrection, and the living One (John 11:25; Heb. 7:16)	Christ holds the keys of death and Hades (Rev. 1:18)
Metaphor	Rock = revelation of Christ; stones = transformed believers	Gates of Hades = Satan’s dark authority  (Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18)
Function	Produces a built-up church as God’s dwelling	Enables the church to stand in spiritual warfare
Explanation	The church is built on divine revelation, not on human zeal or organization	Victory is not by man’s effort but by Christ’s authority
Result	A corporate spiritual Body is formed	Death and Hades cannot hold the believers in the church
Relationship	Building is the foundation	Overcoming is the outcome
	Without building, there is no resistance to Hades	Genuine building always brings victory
Example	Peter became a stone through revelation (Matt. 16:17–18)	Christ rose from the dead; death could not hold Him (Acts 2:24)
Application	Live in the revelation of Christ, not in religious forms	Reject death and negative influence in church life
Burden	The Lord desires a built-up church	The Lord also desires an overcoming church
Prophesying Guidance	Proclaim: Christ is the Son of God and the living One	Proclaim:  death has no authority over the church
Conclusion	The church is built on the revelation of Christ	Satan’s power is destined to fail
Related Scriptures	Matt. 16:16–18; 1 Pet. 2:4–5; 1 Cor. 3:11	Rev. 1:18; Rev. 20:14; Col. 1:13; Acts 2:24

 

🔹 Spiritual Integrated Insight

1.      Building deals with the inner condition; overcoming deals with the outward enemy.
Building answers who we are; overcoming answers what the enemy cannot do.

2.      The gates of Hades signify imprisonment, not attack.
Satan tries to confine people in death, depression, and darkness,
but the church is the exit of resurrection.

3.      Whoever holds the keys holds the authority.
Man cannot control death, but Christ governs death and Hades (Rev. 1:18).
Therefore, it is Christ in the church who overcomes Hades.

4.      When Christ has full ground in the church:
death is restricted,
Hades loses its power,
the church becomes living and releasing.

🗣 Prophetic Summary

“The church built on the revelation of Christ becomes the overcoming vessel that the gates of Hades cannot prevail against.”

🎯 Ultimate Conclusion

• “I will build” = the work of life
• “Shall not prevail” = the result of authority
• “The keys are in His hand” = the secret of victory
• The church is not a place to escape death, but a place where death is swallowed up.
  (Rev. 20:14)

*Please refer to the 2025 Winter Training: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part Four), Chapter Two: Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades