Upon this rock I will build my church; and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This doesn’t mean the enemy won't be able
to attack us in the tribulation:
Rev 13:7
It was given unto him to make war with
the saints, and to overcome them...
Rev 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt
suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of
you into prison, that ye may be tried; and
ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a
crown of life.
Nobody attacks with gates. Gates are for defense.
The gates of hell shall not prevail means the
enemy will have no defense against the Church
as it delivers souls from the enemy and brings
them into the kingdom of God (Acts 26:18,
Heb 2:14-15).
Also, the Church is built upon the rock of Jesus
Christ (1 Pet 2:7-8), who preached in hell and
led those who believed out of the gates of hell
and into the gates of paradise (Eph 4:8-10).
The gates of hell did not prevail against the
rock (Ps 107:14, 16):
Matt 16:18b
Upon this rock I will build my church; and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.