Counsel #6 — Prepared And Protected

Picture: Counsel #6 — Prepared And ProtectedCCL 93.1

As we enter the house of worship, Jesus invites us to let Him carry our burdens and open ourselves to the message of hope and peace He longs to give us. At church on the biblical Sabbath day, we renew our covenant relationship with God, a covenant which unites the church on earth with the church in heaven. God sends His angels to minister to His church and protect His people that the gates of hell cannot prevail against them. (See Matthew 166:18b)^{[123]https://adventistreview.org/the-protection-of-god/}CCL 93.2

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28 NKJV CCL 93.3

“Through centuries of persecution, conflict, and darkness, God has sustained His church. Not one cloud has fallen upon it that He has not prepared for; not one opposing force has risen to counterwork His work, that He has not foreseen. All has taken place as He predicted. He has not left His church forsaken…. and [truth] will triumph over all opposition.” Ellen White in The Acts of the Apostles, p. 12CCL 93.4

Reflect: In practical terms, what does “the gates of hell will not prevail” against God’s church mean (Matthew 16:18)?CCL 93.5