Brother frank, good post. I heard at another time what I thought what was a good definition of "Gates of Hell". I cannot remember exactly how it was put but the jist of it was this:  In ancient jewish times the gate of the cities were coveted government assemblies. In other words the "gates" of a city is actually the government. The "gates of hell"  could be our own government in its continuing efforts to prevail against the Church! Our government is certainly attacking Christianity but according to God's own Word, the government or the "gates of Hell will not prevail.

Dont know if I am getting my point across exactly but it makes sense to me.

Walt