Overcoming and Prevailing

The NT tells of the story when the apostles observe someone casting out devils in the name of the Lord Jesus but these people did not follow the Apostles. That is, they did not have the authority. The Apostles themselves were unsuccessful on one occasion trying to cast out a devil even with the correct authority. But Christ taught His apostles the importance of religious freedom and said "Forbid them not". In the OT Aaron and Moses say two elders of Israel without the camp prophesying. Moses was petitioned, "Moses, forbid them." But Moses said, "enviest thou for my sake, would that God would make all men prophets and put His spirit on them" (Num. 11: 25-29 ). So again we are taught that God would never forbid anyone from prophesying or casting out devils in His name even without His priesthood authority and sealing keys.

Mark 9:38-39 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

However, in another place in Acts we have several Jews, who used the name of the Lord Jesus to cast out evil spirits, but it says that the evil spirit lept upon them overcame and prevailed against them. Obviously it is no coincidence the words "prevail" and "overcome" are used here. Christ said if we were built upon His rock the gates of Hell would not prevail against us.

Acts 19:13-15 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

There are other instances of Hell prevailing, overcoming, making war with and killing the saints. The 4th beast or Roman Empire in Dan 7 was foretold to prevail and overcome and change the times and the laws of the gospel. John describes this same beast or kingdom with 10 horns would be given power to prevail and overcome. This same beast makes copies or images of itself and is given a mouth which preaches a false doctrine blaspheming God, his name, his tabernacle, and those in heaven.

Why would Christ permit the Saints to be overcome? Because they are not built upon His rock. And then Christ says there will be those who say Lord Lord and Christ will say He doesn't know them. Even confessing Christ is Lord is not enough to not be overcome and prevailed against. And even in works like prophesying, and casting out devils. So being built upon the rock has more to do with just calling Lord Lord, and more to do with works which Christ forbids none to do. So the only thing left is to look at the words of Christ to Peter and ask what is the rock, what more is necessary to not be overcome and prevailed against. And the answer is the sealing keys of the kingdom given to Peter.

Matt. 27: 21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

And it's the keys of the kingdom given to Peter and the sealing in the forehead spoken of in Revelation that will protect from being overcome in the day of tribulation and the day of judgement because the angel says the 4 angels unleashing the tribulation on the earth, "hurt not the earth, nor the trees, only those men who have not the sealing in their forehead" (Rev. 9: 4). This sealing power and authority is the priesthood restored after the great apostasy to the prophet Joseph Smith and to the 12 Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

Matt 16:18-19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.