Before returning to Daniel 11:36 to continue our discussion there of the Papal Antichrist who is described as a king who does according to his own will and exalts himself above all that is called god, we must complete our study of Matthew 16 and seek to understand the meaning of two more questions: (1) What are the gates of hell?; (2) What are the keys of the kingdom? Today we will focus upon the first question and continue (God willing) to the second question next Lord's Day. After Jesus identifies Himself as the Rock ("upon this rock" Matthew 16:18), He gives two infallible promises: (1) I Will Build My Church; (2) The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail against It.

In answer to the questions from last Lord's Day (Was the Papacy established by Jesus in Mathew 16:18 and did Jesus promise to build His Church upon Peter, personally and individually?), Jesus declares, "No". For Jesus Himself was the Rock upon which He would build His Church. Moreover, early Church history likewise provides support that Jesus did not promise to build His Church upon Peter, personally and individually, but upon Himself. Here is a brief sampling from history of some whom the Church of Rome calls doctors and saints of the Church.