Embark on a transformative journey with Crawford Bible Commentary's daily devotionals. Begin each day with insightful reflections and deepen your understanding of the Word!

Crawford Bible Commentary – Daily Devotional
📖 Day 93: “Put Hell on Notice”
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.

---

💬 Explanation:
The Church is not meant to cower in fear but to advance in victory. Jesus declares that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. Gates are defensive structures—they don’t attack; they try to keep ground. That means the Church, through Christ’s authority, is not on defense—it’s on offense, storming the gates of hell with the gospel.

To “put hell on notice” means to live in the power of Christ, declaring that sin, death, and the devil have no claim over us. Every prayer, every testimony, every act of faith is a blow against the kingdom of darkness. Hell cannot stop the advancing Kingdom of God.

We don’t fight in our own strength but in Christ’s victory, won at the cross and sealed by the resurrection. When you speak the gospel, live faithfully, and walk in holiness, you are putting hell on notice that you belong to Jesus—and that the enemy has already lost.

---

🔍 Greek and Hebrew Word Study:

• Greek: “Hadēs” (ᾅδης) – Hell, the realm of the dead, spiritual opposition to God’s kingdom.

• Greek: “Katischyo” (κατισχύω) – To overpower, prevail, be victorious against.

• Hebrew: “Gibbor” (גִּבּוֹר) – Mighty, warrior; God’s strength to fight on behalf of His people.

• Greek: “Nikaō” (νικάω) – To conquer, overcome, be victorious.

---

🔁 Cross References:

• James 4:7 – Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• Romans 16:20 – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

• Revelation 12:11 – They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

• Colossians 2:15 – And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

---

❓ Questions and Answers:
Q: What does it mean to put hell on notice?
A: To live boldly in Christ’s victory, reminding the enemy he has already been defeated.

Q: Why did Jesus mention the “gates of hell”?
A: To show that even hell’s strongest defenses cannot withstand the advance of God’s Kingdom.

Q: How do believers put hell on notice today?
A: By prayer, obedience, sharing the gospel, and living out their faith fearlessly.

Q: What assurance do we have in this battle?
A: That Christ has already won the victory, and His Church will never be overcome.

---

📘 Summary:
To “put hell on notice” means to live as a bold witness for Christ, advancing His Kingdom with confidence that hell’s gates cannot prevail.

---

🔑 Key Lesson:
The cross already declared victory. Every step you take in faith reminds the enemy he has lost.

---

🧭 Application:
Don’t live in fear—live in faith. Each time you choose obedience, share the gospel, or pray in Jesus’ name, you are putting hell on notice. Start today by speaking truth into one area of your life where the enemy has tried to steal your joy.

---

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, thank You that through Your death and resurrection, the enemy is defeated. Help me to walk boldly in Your victory and to put hell on notice through my faith, my witness, and my obedience. Use me to push back the darkness and shine Your light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

---

🌐 For more devotionals and Bible studies, visit CrawfordBibleCommentary.com