Dear Partner and Friend,

Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
–  Ephesians 1:9-10

In this time or dispensation of grace, also known as the Church Age, we, the corporate body of Christ, have the power to stop the gates of hell. This is the distinction of the Church during the Age of Grace, meaning the time of the New Testament. Shortly following the resurrection of Jesus, a tremendous encounter took place. Acts 2 describes this divine occasion. It was when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power upon all gathered in the upper room. Not only did the baptism in the Holy Spirit occur, causing the believers to speak in different tongues, but it was also the arrival of a new power with new authority. The Church, now being born during this event, kicked off the last days and arrived to enforce something that had never been seen before. A united group of people was given the authority of God to enforce what Jesus accomplished. 

New terminology was used, such as “believers,” “brothers and sisters,” “baptism in the Holy Spirit”; even the terminology “the Church” was brand new. Never had anyone been empowered by the Holy Spirit in this manner. God came and dwelt among men through Jesus and took it a step further by making a way for man to become that habitation of God. Anyone who called on the name of Jesus would be saved! Powerfully united against the present evil age, these brand-new species of believers, filled up with God, became a global power to be reckoned with. 

…These who have turned the world upside down…

                                                                                                                                — Acts 17:6

The Church Cannot Be Overcome!

Revelation 13 speaks of an end-time scenario when the Antichrist will be in power on the earth. He will also be granted the ability to make war with the Saints—and to overcome them.

 

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

                                                                                                                                                 — Revelation 13:7 KJV

In that dispensation, it will be different from the current time we are living in. We are in the Church age, and Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18 that “the gates of hell shall not prevail” against His Church. Those saints who are on the earth at that time will be overcome by the Antichrist. Many speculate this is because the Church of Jesus Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before this dreadful time. Those that remain will still be able to discover the truth of Jesus; some will give their lives to Him, becoming end-time saints. This, however, is not the experience of the believers today. We cannot be overcome by the gates of hell unless we give it permission or we lie down, not enforcing our authority.

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

                                                                                                                             —Mathew 16:18

“Church” was a new moniker. The Old Testament never mentioned it; you might say it was concealed. Many thought the Messiah would come and deliver Israel from all the outside governmental oppression. Groups such as the Zealots pressured Jesus to “storm the castle,” so to speak. Yet He explained the purpose of His coming was not for that; it was to seek and save that which was lost. In His second advent, He will come and take over the world. First, He arrived as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His second coming will reveal Him as the Lion, as King Jesus. 

“Grace” is the label given to the age we live in—a unique moment in all of history when the gospel is to be preached to the ends of the earth, then the end will come (see Matthew 24).

Jesus referred to the body of believers as His Church, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. This means you have authority over your family, business, and ministry in all you do and everywhere you walk. Jesus is Lord over your circumstances because you’re part of the corporate Body of Christ. Thank God that greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world! (see 1 John 4:4)

Partners, we are so grateful for you! If you are reading this newsletter and would like to join our partner family, please go to JosephZ.com and become a partner today!

I bless you and speak life over you today, dear friend.

For Jesus,

Joseph Z