Gates of Hades: Odd to Translation

Matthew 16:18 b, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Since the very inception of the literature service in Telugu, especially, the translation service, there have been rampant attack on the serving ones. Our Hyderabad office was closed, and the serving ones went through a lot of crisis. Physical health issue, family problems, financial crisis and the likes. But somehow we managed to sail on despite the many hurdles. 

Last year we restructured the service responsibilities and it went on well. New serving ones have come in through fellowship. But soon, many of these saints have faced health issues that affected their services. For quite some time I have been wondering why it has to be so in this particular language. Beginning this year we started a Life-study project with two serving ones and some part timers joining in. No sooner than it began, one of them have serious health issue suddenly and the other serving one's father was hospitalised and is now in ICU. Last night, I with two brothers visited them.

As I have been on Ministry Literature Journey to select cities of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, Telugu speaking region, I realised one important matter. There are thousands of seeker of the truth waiting for us to supply them the ministry of the word. I have heard testimonies of how seekers have read the ministry books and turned to take the way of the Bible in the practice of the church life, leaving religion and degraded Christianity, to enjoy and experience Christ in a new and living way for the building up of the church, the Body of Christ, and  Satan hates this. So is the attack.

When the ministry perfects the saints and builds up the Body of Christ as in Ephesians 4:12, which is the fulfillment of the Lord's prophesy in Matthew 16:18, Satan, the  gates of Hades, will not keep quite. No wonder the attack. But praise the Lord, he will not prevail against it. Hallelujah!

These are visible signs that the ministry is prevailing and it will fully prevail. Now I am so much strengthened for the service and function the Lord has entrusted me in the Body, in the literature service to build up the church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.