Ekklesia Series // God’s Instrument to Disciple Nations
Over the last year, the Lord has really been shining His revelatory light over Matt 16:13–19. Here, we read of Peter’s great confession that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, Anointed One).
The scriptures tell us that Jesus makes his way furthest north to the region of Caesarea Philippi, and then, he takes a two-day walk with His disciples to the Gates of Hades.
Jesus uses the backdrop of the Gates of Hades to give two of the greatest New Testament revelations to all of mankind.
Matt 16:13–18: “13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
The Region of Caesarea Philippi
The region of Caesarea Philippi is the seedbed for much occultic activity and idol worship. No devout Jew dare enter the region due to the spiritual darkness that permeates it.
The Gates of Hades itself sits as a cave at the bottom of Mt. Hermon. Shrines to the goat-man Pan and other gods, such as Caesar and Nemesis, are visible, along with temple prostitution, pagan worship, and ritualistic sacrifices.
Compare this region to San Francisco, Las Vegas, and New Orléans all rolled into one.
The Revelation of Jesus as the Christ
It’s actually at this very place and before these very gates that Jesus releases both the revelation that He is the Christ AND our assignment to build his Ekklesia (church).
It’s almost shocking to realize that in the darkest spiritual place on Earth, Jesus chooses to give two of the greatest revelations to mankind. Why not release the revelation in the temple at Jerusalem? Why here? Because the revelation of Jesus as the Christ at the Gates of Hades carries our Kingdom assignment, namely, to engage the powers of darkness and bring the saving knowledge of Jesus to all mankind as His Ekklesia.
Jesus never commissioned us to sit within the walls of our churches, but rather to engage the culture. The church, Christ’s Ekklesia, is created to take the revelation of Jesus Christ into darkest places on earth.
Final Thoughts
The revelation of Jesus as the Christ, legally authorizes and empowers us, as His Ekklesia, to bring people from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His glorious light.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. If you want, please leave a comment below.
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Originally published at gregsimas.org on July 25, 2016.
