Will the Church Survive? • Deshen Daily

And I also say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18 KJV)

The Church as the Body of Christ will not only survive but will thrive amidst substantial challenges because Christ said the gates of hell would not prevail against it. But why would the Church’s destiny or future be called into question?

Many years ago, in my home country of Cameroon, I could not help but ask myself if the Church would survive. I was troubled and genuinely discouraged by what I observed and heard happening in Churches. I was not so much as concerned about the persecution of the Church as for the problems within the Church: rising disorder, sinfulness, distortion of the Gospel, fake ministers, greed, loss of the fear of the Lord.

As I pondered within myself, the Lord dropped Matt. 16:18 above in my heart. He essentially told me He is building His Church—He Himself, not some minister, senior pastor, or bishop; besides, I can be sure His word will stand, and the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. He continued and intrigued my mind further, saying He has His Church within our churches. So not everyone on pews and pulpits in churches belongs to Him. He knows His own, and He is working patiently to help us grow, overcome their many weaknesses, and walk in holiness and love. Furthermore, He has decreed that His own should be careful and depart from iniquity ( 1 Tim. 2:19).

Be encouraged. Despite the horror stories you will sometimes hear happening in some Churches(buildings or ministries), Christ is building His people(the Church). And the Church is becoming brighter and brighter.