The existence of the Church of God in the world is a standing miracle. The forces opposed to her are so numerous and so strong that there is no accounting for her continued survival but by recognising God’s hand in it. Her strength is not in herself. If she were to trust in her own strength or in her own self-preserving power, then long ago she would have perished to rise no more. Her strength and preservation is not in herself but in the Mighty God of Jacob. Her foundation is the imperishable Rock of Ages.
As it is with the Church of God as a whole, so is it with each individual member. The daily preservation of each member of the true Church of God in the world must be deemed a miracle too. The forces which are allied together in opposition to the believing soul are too great and too numerous for it. There are enemies within and enemies without. There is an old nature within and the world and the powers of darkness without, all engaged in the same work of attempting to stifle the witness of that soul. Each believing soul is a witness to the reality of Christ’s power to save. Were it by some inherent power of his own strength or goodness that the believer was to stand against the assaults of these powerful and determined forces, then there is no doubt that long before now he would have been overthrown. How good it is then that the people of God are not required to rely upon their own strength in their daily struggle with the forces of sin and evil, but upon One who is Almighty and who is able to save to the uttermost.
“The gates of hell” is the name given to the combined forces of darkness which seek the overthrow of the Church of God in the world. The apostle warned in His Epistle to the Ephesians: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These forces appear in many forms. Sometimes it is as openly Satanic powers they appear, at other times less manifestly so, while at other times Satan appears in these enemies as an angel of light. The enemies of the true Church of God sometimes come on the scene as professed Churches of Christ — as, for example, the anti-Christian Church of Rome. At other times it is as avowedly atheistical systems, such as Communism and humanism. Sometimes they appear as political powers, sometimes as economic alliances. Whatever appearance they may have at first, ultimately they cannot hide what they indeed are, that is, enemies of the Church of God and enemies of the Cross of Christ. Like Herod and Pontius Pilate the forces of darkness find unity and friendship in their opposition to Jesus Christ. When the enemies of the Church of God get a place within the Church what havoc they then create. It may be as professed ministers of the Gospel casting doubt on the veracity of the doctrines of God’s Word or as erstwhile friends who, through persecution or trouble for the Kingdom of God’s sake, are offended and go back, to walk no more with the Saviour, so proving a discouragement and stumbling block to others. In either case they show themselves to be in reality servants of Satan and sworn enemies of the true Church of God.
In our day the Church of God appears to be extremely weak and very exposed to the assaults of her enemies. Numerically she is small, while her witness also is weak. How then can she face the forces which surround her and which appear to be increasing as day succeeds day? Can she hope to stand in the face of the increasing secularism and materialism of the age in which her lot is presently cast? There is no doubt that in her own strength these forces must prevail against her. In Christ’s strength, however, they may and shall be overcome. “On this rock” says Christ, “have I built my Church.” Let her look well to the foundation of her hope. It is not in herself. It is in Christ who not only laid the foundation of her salvation, but also of her preservation, in the sufferings and death He endured and in the victory He obtained over sin and death and hell. Her trust is in a Saviour who is no longer dead but is alive. He is the Risen One and the Exalted One at God’s right hand. All power in heaven and in earth is given to Him. And shall He who has obtained the victory in His own Person on Calvary, not get the victory also in His own people and Church over the same foes and leave these foes vanquished on the field of battle?
Here then is their encouragement and strength. In Christ they shall prevail. Each of them individually shall prevail, and collectively as the Church of God they shall prevail. By His grace they shall overcome all their enemies. The Word of God shall stand. What Christ has said concerning His Church shall be fulfilled in every age of time — “the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”