One of my all time favorite spots in Israel is found in the beautiful area north of Lake Galilee called Tel-Dan. Located at the foothills of Mount Hermon, this area has centuries of Biblical history going back to the time of Abraham. This lush place filled with an abundance of rushing water attracted all types of cultic worship and demonic activity.

This was a perfect place for Jesus to bring His disciples for an object lesson they would never forget. At that time it was called Caesarea Philippi, a Roman city. At the very heart of this area was a pagan temple to worship the god of the underworld, the abode of the dead, also called the “gates of hell.”

At this exact place Jesus asked His followers who He was. Peter shouted out through the revelation of the Father, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,”… Jesus responds to Peter that on that confession He would build His church, “and the gates of hell (death) will not overcome it.” (Mt. 16:15-18).

Peter and the others didn’t understand the object lesson and the words at the time. But after His death, resurrection, and ascension it became crystal clear. Jesus became the one true King who had the power to storm the gates of hell and liberate the Father’s children from the dark powers of sin and satanic power that kept us in spiritual death.

In Psalm 103, where we have been dwelling the past few weeks, we read these glorious words:

“Who redeems your life from the pit.” (vs. 4)

The Father who “forgives all your sins, heals all your all your diseases” is also the Gate Stormer who charges into hell to liberate His sons and daughters from satan’s grip though the finished work of His Son Jesus. We have been freed from the demonic strongholds through Christ’s blood and experience a spiritual resurrection of life in Him.

Let your soul shout praise to Christ the King who stormed the gates of hell to bring you into a new Kingdom to walk in a powerful new freedom. No longer do we have to live under the control of sin and the lies of satan, we are free, free forever free in “Christ, the Son of the Living God!”

Not long ago Patty and I had a time of soul praise as we witnessed a miracle happening in someone’s soul. After years of prayer, we witnessed Christ invading a heart with the good news of the Gospel,  redeeming this beloved child from the grips of the enemy and into the Kingdom of the Father’s everlasting love.

Not only can our souls sing for our own redemption from the pit of hell, but we can also sing because we can be used by the Father to storm the gates of hell with the message of Christ the King for others. Through prayer and witnessing for Christ with His love in us and the words He gives us we can watch His Spirit break the chains of the enemy and bring others into a Kingdom of everlasting love.

Mediate on Jesus your Gate Stormer and let your soul well up with praise for the new life He has given you. Also let His Spirit challenge you to join Him in the mission of storming the gates of hell to bring His lost children home.