The Pilgrim’s Progress, week 3, Friday, chapter 11

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

THE CHRISTIAN’S JOURNEY
TO THE CELESTIAL CITY

CHAPTER 11

WEEK 3 – FRIDAY

Read and pray: “For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:17-18)

Christian finds in Faithful an excellent companion;

The cautious fear he had in joining him teaches us that we must be very careful in choosing our companions in the faith. Profitable conversations they had together.

After all this, our Pilgrim reached a height purposely raised so that travelers could from there see the path they were to follow. He saw Faithful far ahead and called out to him, saying: Hello, hello, wait so that we may walk together!

Faithful looked back, heard Christian call him again, and replied: I cannot wait. My life is in danger, for the avenger of blood is behind me. This reply greatly saddened Christian, but summoning great effort, he soon overtook Faithful, even passing him, so the last became first.

He smiled, boasting of having gotten ahead of his brother; but as he wasn’t watching his steps, he suddenly stumbled and fell, unable to get up until Faithful came to his aid. I then saw in my dream that they walked together in great harmony, conversing pleasantly about all that had happened to them along the way. Christian began to speak in these terms:

Christian – Honored and dear brother Faithful, I’m so happy to have caught up with you, and that God has so prepared our hearts to walk together on this delightful path!

Faithful – I had intended to go with you from our city; but you went so fast that I had to come alone.

Christian – How long did you stay in the City of Destruction after I left?

Faithful – I remained there until I could endure no longer, for as soon as you left, it was being said that the city would be reduced to ashes by fire from heaven.

Christian – What’s that? Our neighbors were saying so?

Faithful – Yes, they said it; and for a while, it was all anyone talked about.

Christian – And despite that, were you the only one to try and escape?

Faithful – Though the danger was much spoken of, it seemed little believed; for in the heat of discussion, I heard some mock you and your journey, calling it desperate. But I believed, and still believe, that our city will be burned with fire and brimstone, and that’s why I fled.

Christian – Did you hear anything about our neighbor Pliable?

Faithful – I heard he kept going until the Slough of Despond, where he is said to have fallen, though he doesn’t want anyone to know what happened; but what he couldn’t hide from sight was the mud with which he returned.

Christian – And what did the neighbors say?

Faithful – Since he returned, he’s been the object of scorn and ridicule from everyone, so much that he can hardly find anyone to give him work. He is now in a worse state than before he left the city.

Christian – But how can they hold him in contempt if they despise the path he abandoned?

Faithful – They call him a renegade, for not staying true to his profession. I believe God stirred even his enemies to mock him for having forsaken his way (Jeremiah 38:18-19).

Christian – Did you speak to him before you left?

Faithful – I met him once in the street, but he turned his face away, ashamed of what he had done, so we did not speak.

Christian – Truly, when I started my journey, I had some hope for him; but now I fear he’ll perish in the city's ruins, for what happened to him is as that true proverb says: “The dog has returned to his vomit, and the washed sow to wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22)

Faithful – I fear the same; but who can know the future?

Christian – You are right. Let’s talk no more about him; instead, let’s turn to things that concern us more. Tell me what happened to you on the way. I suppose you encountered some things worth recounting.

Faithful – I didn’t fall into the Slough of Despond, as I see you did, and I reached the narrow gate without that danger; but I did meet a woman named Wanton, from whom I barely escaped.

Christian – Blessed are you for escaping her snares. For her sake, Joseph was in great peril, and he escaped her as you did, not without risking death. So, what did she do to you? (Genesis 39:11-12)

Faithful – Only one who has heard her can understand how flattering her tongue is: she did everything she could to ruin me, promising me every sort of pleasure.

Christian – Surely she didn’t offer the pleasure of a clear conscience.

Faithful – You know well that I speak of carnal pleasures.

Christian – Give thanks to God for delivering you from her.

“The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.” (Proverbs 22:14)

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Hymn 190 Longings – "To Live in the Lord’s Presence"

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The Pilgrim's Progress, week 3, Thursday, chapter 10

THE PILGRIM

THE CHRISTIAN'S JOURNEY

TO THE CELESTIAL CITY

CHAPTER 10

WEEK 3 – THURSDAY

Read and pray: "Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name." (Amos 5:8)

Christian in the Valley of the Shadow of Death (2)

My attention was then fixed on a fact I cannot help but relate. I noticed that poor Christian was so frightened that he did not recognize his own voice, and I noticed it from the circumstances I will now recount.

When Christian reached the edge of the burning abyss, one of the demons approached him unnoticed and whispered in his ear many and very terrible blasphemies, and poor Christian believed it was his own soul that uttered them. This distressed Christian more than anything that had yet happened: to think he was blaspheming the One he had once so deeply loved! However, he did not think to cover his ears or investigate where those blasphemies were coming from.

He had been in this sad state for some time when he thought he heard the voice of a man walking ahead of him, exclaiming: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4). These words brought him joy for several reasons.

1st – Because they proved that someone else who feared God was also in this valley.

2nd – Because he realized that God was with that person, despite the darkness and sadness surrounding them. And why shouldn’t He be with me too? thought Christian to himself, even if I do not perceive Him, given the place I am in (Job 9:11).

3rd – Because he hoped to enjoy the company of the one whose voice he had heard, if he managed to catch up. He gained courage and decided to continue his journey, calling out to the one ahead, but that one, believing himself also alone, never responded. Dawn was then beginning to break, and Christian exclaimed: "He turneth the shadow of death into the morning" (Amos 5:8). Then the day appeared, and Christian continued: "And maketh the day dark with night."

As it was now light, he looked back, not because he wished to go back, but to see, by the light of the sun, the dangers he had passed through during the night.

He then clearly saw the abyss on one side and the bog on the other, and realized how narrow the path was that passed between them. He also saw the phantoms, the werewolves, and the dragons of the abyss, but all from a great distance, as they did not dare approach the light of day. Still, Christian saw them, because, as it is written, "He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death" (Job 12:22). Christian was deeply moved to see himself free from the dangers of that lonely valley; for although he had greatly feared them, he now better understood their gravity by seeing them in the light of day.

Then the sun shone, which was no small favor for the traveler, for although the first part of the valley had been extremely dangerous, the second part he still had to cross promised to be even more so, since, from where Christian stood to the end of the valley, the path was filled with snares, nets, and obstacles, and contained many abysses, precipices, pits, and ravines, so that, had it still been night as it had been in the earlier stretch, a thousand souls Christian might have had, all would have been irretrievably lost. But fortunately, the sun was shining in full splendor. He then said to himself: "When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness" (Job 29:3).

With that light, Christian reached the end of the valley, where I saw, in my dream, blood, bones, ashes, and torn bodies of men: these were the remains of travelers who, in former times, had walked this path. I was wondering what could have caused such destruction when I saw, farther ahead, a cave where two giants had lived—Pope and Pagan—whose power and tyranny had caused those horrors. Christian passed that place without major danger, which greatly surprised me; but I later understood why: Pagan had died long ago, and the other, although still alive, because of his advanced age and the fierce attacks he had endured in his youth, was now so decrepit and in such dire straits that he could do nothing but sit at the mouth of his cave, threatening pilgrims as they passed and despairing at not being able to reach them. Meanwhile, Christian continued on his way. The sight of the old man, seated at the cave’s entrance, gave him much to think about, especially when the old man, unable to move, cried out: You shall have no salvation until many more like you are delivered to the flames.

But Christian said nothing in reply, and passed by without fear and without harm, exclaiming: O world of wonders! And truly it is so, seeing that I am unharmed despite the misery I have found in you. Blessed be the merciful hand to whom I owe my preservation. While I was in this valley, I was surrounded by the dangers of darkness, enemies, hell, and sin. My path was full of snares, abysses, obstacles of every kind; but thanks be to Jesus, who delivered me from them all. His is the crown of triumph.

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Hymn “Comfort in Trials – For the Gains from Suffering”

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The Pilgrim's Progress, week 3, Wednesday, chapter 10

THE PILGRIM

THE CHRISTIAN'S JOURNEY

TO THE CELESTIAL CITY

CHAPTER 10

WEEK 3 – WEDNESDAY

Read and pray: “Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink;

let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.” (Psalm 69:14)

Christian in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Christian suffers many afflictions in the Valley of the Shadow of Death; but, having learned by experience how necessary it is to walk vigilantly, he resorts to the sword and to prayer, thus passing through safely and without the slightest harm.

As soon as he had crossed the boundary separating the Valley of Humiliation from the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he encountered two men hurrying back: they were descendants of those who had set the land on fire that he had seen (Num. 13:33). Christian asked them where they were going.

Men – Back, back: if you value your life and peace, we advise you to turn back immediately!

Christian – Why?

Men – We were walking in the direction you're going, and went forward as far as our boldness would allow, but we don’t even know how we managed to return, for had we gone a few steps further, we certainly wouldn't be here now to warn you.

Christian – But what did you encounter?

Men – What did we encounter? We were almost in the middle of the Valley of the Shadow of Death; but fortunately, we looked ahead and spotted the danger before we got closer (Psalm 44:19).

Christian – What danger?

Men – What danger? The very valley itself, black as pitch. We saw ghosts, werewolves, and dragons of the abyss. Then came continual moaning and screaming, like people in the most shameful distress, suffering the greatest afflictions and tortures. Horrible clouds of confusion hover over the valley, and death constantly spreads its black wings above it. In a word, everything there is horror, everything is dreadful chaos (Job 3:5-10,22).

Christian – From what you say, I am more and more persuaded that this is the path I must take to reach the desired harbor (Psalm 44:18).

Men – If you think it’s good, go on; for us, it’s not.

And they parted ways with Christian, who continued on his way, keeping his sword drawn, fearing attack.

And in my dream, I looked out over the whole length of the valley. I saw, to the right of the road, a very deep pit where the blind have led the blind throughout the ages, all perishing miserably. On the left, I saw an extremely dangerous mire, where anyone who falls in—no matter how good—cannot find footing; King David once fell there, and would surely have drowned had He who has the power not delivered him (Psalm 69:14).

The path was so narrow that Christian walked with great difficulty, for, being in darkness, if he tried to move away from the pit, he risked falling into the mire, and if he tried to avoid the mire, he was in danger of falling into the pit. Thus he walked, sighing bitterly, because in addition to the dangers already mentioned, the way was so dark that if he lifted one foot to take a step, he didn’t know where he would place it next.

About halfway through this valley, the mouth of hell opened beside the path.

Upon arriving there, Christian’s situation was horrible; he didn’t know what to do; he saw flames and smoke pouring out in such quantity, mingled with sparks and infernal roars, that recognizing the sword with which he had defeated Apollyon would be of no use to him, he decided to sheath it and take up another weapon—that is, the weapon of prayer (Ephesians 6:18)—and thus he cried out: “O Lord, deliver my soul” (Psalm 116:4).

And he went on, surrounded from time to time by terrible flames. At other times he heard sorrowful wailing, rushing from side to side, making him think he would be crushed or trampled like the mud of the streets. This horrible sight and these terrifying noises accompanied him for several leagues of the way.

Finally, he came to a place where he thought he heard a legion of enemies approaching. So he stopped and began to think seriously about what he should do. On the one hand, it seemed better to turn back, but on the other, he remembered that he might already be more than halfway through the valley. He also recalled that he had already overcome many dangers, and that the risk of going back might be greater than pressing forward; therefore he resolved to continue. But as the enemies seemed to draw closer and almost touch him, he cried out with all his strength: I will walk in the strength of the Lord. At these words, the enemies fled, and did not pursue him any further.

Enjoy more:

Hymn “Fullness of the Spirit – Like the Wind”

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The Pilgrim's Progress, week 3, Tuesday, chapter 9

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 9

WEEK 3 – TUESDAY

Read and pray: “In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2)

Christian reaches the Valley of Humiliation (2)

Apollyon – Since you still keep calm and cool-headed, think carefully about what you are likely to find along that path. You know that most of His servants come to a miserable end, for having transgressed against me and against my purposes. How many have been the victims of a shameful death! Besides, if His service is better than mine, why has He not yet come out from where He is to deliver those who serve Him? I do the opposite: how many times, as the whole world can testify, either by force or by cunning, have I rescued those who serve me faithfully from His hands and from His people, even when they were under His power? I promise you I will do the same for you.

Christian – If He delays in delivering them, it is, indeed, to prove more clearly His love and to see whether they remain faithful to Him until the end. As for the miserable end you speak of, that was surely the most glorious end they could have had. For they do not expect present salvation, knowing that it takes time to reach the glory, and they will have it when their Prince comes in His glory and in the glory of His angels.

Apollyon – How can you even think of receiving a reward, since you have already been unfaithful in your service?

Christian – In what have I been unfaithful?

Apollyon – Come on! As soon as you left your home, you faltered when you found yourself in danger of drowning in the Slough of Despond. Then you tried, in many ways, to rid yourself of the burden you carried, instead of waiting, as you should have, for your Prince to remove it. After that, you slept carelessly, and in that moment lost the most precious object you possessed. Fear of the lions also almost made you turn back, and above all, when you speak of your journey and what you’ve seen and heard, you are inwardly ruled by a spirit of vainglory.

Christian – What you say is very true, and you could say much more besides, but the Prince whom I serve and worship is merciful and ready to forgive! Moreover, you certainly forget that these weaknesses overcame me while I was in your land; it was there that I was defeated by them, and they cost me many sorrows and groans, but I repented of them all, and my Prince forgave me!

Apollyon, unable to contain the rage that possessed him, burst out in these curses: I am the enemy of that Prince, I hate His person, His laws, and His people, and I have come with the firm intent to stop you.

Christian – Watch what you do, Apollyon, for I am on the King’s highway, the way of holiness, and therefore I am far superior to you. Hearing this, Apollyon stretched out his legs to cover the entire width of the road, and said: – Don’t think I fear you; prepare to die, for I swear by the infernal abyss I dwell in, you shall not pass here. I will tear your soul from you. And at once he furiously launched a fiery dart at Christian’s chest. But Christian, having the shield on his arm, caught the blow with it and escaped the danger.

Christian immediately drew his sword, recognizing that it was time to attack, and Apollyon rushed at him, hurling darts as thick as hail, striking Christian on the head, hands, and feet, despite his best efforts to defend himself. These wounds made him fall back a little, which Apollyon seized upon to attack more fiercely. But Christian, regaining his courage, resisted with great boldness.

This fierce battle continued until about noon, by which time Christian’s strength was exhausted, and his wounds were weakening him more and more.

Apollyon took full advantage of this, and dropping his darts, engaged him in hand-to-hand combat. The clash was so violent that Christian dropped his sword. – Now you are mine – Apollyon cried, grabbing him so tightly that he nearly suffocated him.

Christian thought he was going to die; but it pleased God that, at the very moment when Apollyon was about to deal the final blow, Christian quickly grabbed the sword from the ground and cried out, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy! Though I fall, I will rise again” (Micah 7:8). And he struck him with a deadly blow, which forced him to fall back, as if receiving a final strike. Seeing this, Christian regained his strength and attacked again, saying, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37).

Apollyon spread his dragon wings and fled hastily, and Christian saw him no more (James 4:7). Only someone who, like me, witnessed this battle can imagine the dreadful and horrible cries and roars that Apollyon let out during the fight. His voice was like that of a dragon and contrasted with the moans and groans of sorrow that came from the heart of the Pilgrim. The battle was long, and during it, only once did joy shine in Christian’s eyes — when he struck Apollyon with his two-edged sword. Then he looked up to heaven and smiled. I never saw a battle so fierce!

When the fight was over, Christian thought to give thanks to the One who had delivered him from the lion’s mouth, to the One who had helped him against Apollyon. And kneeling, he cried: Beelzebub had determined to destroy me by sending against me this armed servant; the battle was long, the fight was terrible; but the Blessed, the Holy One, came to my aid, and drove him away by the power of my sword. May the Lord be praised forever, a thousand thanks and blessings be to His most holy name.

Then a mysterious hand gave him some leaves from the tree of life (Rev. 22:2). Christian applied them to the wounds he had received in the battle, and he was fully healed. Then he sat in that place to eat the bread and drink the wine that had been given to him earlier. Thus strengthened, he continued his journey, carrying the unsheathed sword in his hand, fearing that another enemy might come to meet him. However, nothing else opposed him throughout the valley.

After passing through the Valley of Humiliation, he entered the Valley of the Shadow of Death, which is crossed by the path that leads to the Celestial City. This valley is very desolate, as described by the prophet Jeremiah:

A wilderness, a land of deserts and of pits, a land of drought and of the shadow of death, a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt (Jer. 2:6).

If the battle between Christian and Apollyon was terrible, the one he had to fight in this valley was no less so.

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Hymn “We Will Sing Praise”

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The Pilgrim's Progress, week 3, Monday, chapter 9

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 9

WEEK 3 – MONDAY

Read and pray: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Christian arrives at the Valley of Humiliation,

where he is assaulted by the fierce Apollyon, but overcomes him

with the sword of the Spirit and faith in the word of God.

THEN it was resolved that our pilgrim should depart, with the consent of the inhabitants of the palace; but before he left, they took him once more to the armory, where he was equipped with armor of finest temper, to defend himself on the way, should he be attacked. Then they accompanied him to the gate, where he asked the porter whether any traveler had passed during his stay at the palace. The porter answered affirmatively.

Christian – Do you know him?

Porter – No, but I asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful.

Christian – Ah! I know who he is! I know him very well; he’s my countryman and neighbor, and he comes from my hometown. Has he gone far?

Porter – He must be at the end of the slope.

Christian – Thank you, good man; may the Lord be with you and increase His blessings upon you for the kindness you've shown me.

And he departed. Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence wished to accompany him to the end of the ravine, and they all conversed about the matters they had already discussed.

When they reached the slope, he said:

Christian – The climb seemed hard to me, but the descent will be no less dangerous.

Prudence – Indeed. There is always danger for the man who descends into the Valley of Humiliation, where you are going, of slipping; and the obstacles found there are also perilous. That’s why we came to accompany you.

Christian descended very carefully, yet not without stumbling more than once. When they reached the bottom of the hill, the companions took their leave of him, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of grapes.

As soon as he entered the valley, Christian began to find himself in trouble. He had scarcely taken a few steps when a dreadful demon named Apollyon came out to meet him. Christian was afraid, and he began to reflect on whether it would be better to flee or to stand his ground. But he remembered that his armor did not protect his back, and therefore, to turn his back on the enemy would give him a great advantage, for he could wound him with his darts.

So he resolved to be courageous and to stand firm, the only option left to preserve his life.

He took a few more steps and found himself face to face with the enemy. The monster’s appearance was dreadful; he was covered with scales like those of a fish; he had wings like a dragon and bear’s feet; smoke and fire came out of his belly, and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion. As he approached Christian, he cast on him a look of disdain and spoke in these terms:

Apollyon – Where do you come from, and where are you going?

Christian – I come from the City of Destruction, the abode of all evil, and I am going to the City of Zion.

Apollyon – Do you mean to say that you were my subject? For all that land belongs to me, and I rule it as prince and god. And you dared to rebel against the dominion of your king? Ah! If I did not hope you would still be of great use to me, I would crush you with one blow!

Christian – It’s true that I was born in your domain; but your service was so hard, and the wages so miserable, that I could scarcely live, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). So when I came to my senses, I did what any sensible person would do – I sought to better my condition.

Apollyon – No prince likes to lose his subjects for so little; and for my part, I do not wish to lose you. So, since you complain about the service and the pay, return willingly to your homeland, and I promise to give you all that can be offered in my domains.

Christian – I am now in the service of the King of kings, so I cannot go back with you.

Apollyon – You've gone from bad to worse, as the saying goes; but usually, those who claim to serve such a king quickly free themselves from his yoke, and, taking better counsel, return to me. Do as they do, and all will be well with you.

Christian – I gave him my word and swore my allegiance; if I turned back now, would I not deserve to be hanged as a traitor?

Apollyon – That’s what you did to me, and yet I’m willing to forget it all if you agree to return.

Christian – The promises I made to you were before I reached maturity and hold no value. Moreover, I trust that the Prince under whose banner I now serve will absolve me and forgive all I did to please you. And, above all, I want to speak to you frankly: His service, His wages, His servants, His government, His company, and His country please me far more than yours. You lose your ground if you try to persuade me otherwise; I am His servant, and I am determined to follow Him.

Enjoy more:

Hymn “Assurance and Joy of Salvation –

Secured by Divine Provision”

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The Pilgrim's Progress, week 3, Sunday, chapter 8

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 8

WEEK 3 – SUNDAY

Read and pray: “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.” (Psalm 36:7-8)

Christian in the Beautiful Palace (2)

I further observed, in my dream, that they continued their conversation until supper was ready, after which they sat at the table, which was set with substantial dishes and excellent wines.

The conversation during supper was about the Lord of the Valley, about what He had done and the reasons that had led Him to build that house. From what I heard, I understood that He had been a great warrior, who had fought and conquered the one who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15), though not without facing great danger, which made Him all the more worthy of love.

For, as they said—and I believe I heard Christian say so too—the Lord achieved this victory at the cost of much blood; but what made this grace even more glorious was that He did it purely out of love for this land. And some of the family even said they had seen Him and spoken with Him after He had died on the cross, and they also claimed that He had said it was impossible to find another like Him, from east to west; and so much so that He had stripped Himself of His glory to accomplish what He did, and that His desire was to have many who would dwell with Him on Mount Zion. To this end, He had made princes of those who were by nature beggars born in the mud (1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 113:8).

In this pleasant conversation, they engaged until late into the night, and then retired to their rooms after entrusting themselves to the Lord's protection. The room assigned to Christian was on the upper floor of the palace; it was called the Room of Peace and had a window facing the sunrise. There our Pilgrim slept peacefully until dawn, and upon waking, he sang a song that, in melodious verses, said: “Oh! How lovely are these dwellings! Surely this is the house of the Lord, this is the gate of heaven! Blessed are You, Jesus, who thus provide for the needs of poor pilgrims, forgiving their sins and allowing them to rest on high!”

After everyone had risen and exchanged morning greetings, Christian was preparing to depart, which they only allowed after showing him some of the extraordinary things in the palace.

First, they took him to the Record Room, where they presented the Lord’s genealogical tree, which showed that He descended from none other than the Ancient of Days, having been conceived amid eternal splendor, before the morning star existed.

There he also saw, written in characters of light, all His deeds and all His life, as well as the names of many hundreds of servants who had conquered kingdoms, practiced righteousness, obtained promises, subdued lions, quenched terrible fires, escaped the edge of the sword, survived deadly diseases, fought bravely in wars, and routed the enemy camps (Hebrews 11:33-34).

They then showed him, in another section of the Record Room, the Lord’s gracious willingness to welcome into His favor any person who had formerly opposed Him or His purposes.

They also showed him various accounts of illustrious deeds, both ancient and modern, as well as predictions and prophecies which, in due time, had come to pass—all to the terror and confusion of the enemies and to the joy and satisfaction of the friends.

The next day they took him to the armory, where they displayed all kinds of armor that the Lord had prepared for pilgrims: swords, shields, helmets, breastplates, prayer-wheel¹ armor, and borzeguins² that last eternally. There was such an abundance of war equipment that it would suffice to arm as many men in service of the Lord as there are stars in the sky.

They also showed him the objects with which some of the servants had performed marvelous wonders: the rod of Moses, the nail and hammer with which Jael killed Sisera; the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps with which Gideon defeated the armies of Midian; the ox goad with which Shamgar slew six hundred men; the jawbone with which Samson accomplished great feats; the sling and stone with which David killed Goliath of Gath, and the sword with which the Lord will slay the man of sin on the day he rises against the prey; showing him, in short, many other excellent things, at the sight of which Christian felt indescribable joy. And as the day had declined, they again went to rest.

On the following day, Christian wished to depart, but they asked him to stay one more day, so they could show him, if the atmosphere was clear, the Delectable Mountains, the sight of which would bring him great comfort, as those mountains were nearer to the port he was heading to than to his current location. Christian agreed to the request.

So in the morning, they ascended to the palace terrace, on the side facing south, and at a great distance, Christian was able to see a delightful mountainous land, bordered by woods, vineyards, orchards, and gardens of all kinds, interspersed with brooks and lakes of singular beauty (Isaiah 33:16-17). That land, they told him, is the Land of Emmanuel, and it is as free as this place for all pilgrims. From there, you will see the gate of the Celestial City. The shepherds of those mountains will show you the way.

___________________

¹ Prayer-wheel breastplates: poetic or compound expression to describe a circle of prayer.

² Borzeguins: leather boots or booties, often worn by soldiers or travelers in the Middle Ages or in ancient times.

Enjoy more:

Hymn “Experience of Christ”

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The Pilgrim's Progress, week 2, Saturday, chapter 8

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 8

WEEK 2 - SATURDAY

Read and pray: “But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16)

Christian at the Beautiful Palace (1)

 

Piety – Go on. You must have seen something more.

Christian – I have already told you the main and the best. I also met three men, Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, asleep off the road, with chains on their feet, and I tried in vain to wake them up.

Later, I met Hypocrisy and Formalist, who had climbed over the wall, intending to go to Zion; but they were lost shortly afterward because they refused to listen to me. I also found the ascent of the ravine very painful, and even more terrible was the passage between the lions’ mouths. Had it not been for the porter, who encouraged me with his words, I might have turned back. But, thank God, here I am safely, and I thank you for the kind hospitality you have shown me. Prudence then spoke and asked him:

Prudence – Do you sometimes think of the country you left behind?

Christian – Yes, ma’am, though with much reluctance and shame. Had I desired, I could have gone back, for I had plenty of time and opportunity to do so; but I long for a better country, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:15–16).

Prudence – Do you carry with you anything you were familiar with before leaving?

Christian – I do, ma’am; but very much against my will, especially my carnal thoughts, which were once so pleasing to me and my fellow countrymen. Now, however, all these things are such a burden to me that, if it were up to me, I would never think of them again. Yet, the more I desire to do what is right, the more I end up doing what is wrong (Romans 7:15–21).

Prudence – And don’t you sometimes feel that the things that once embarrassed you almost overcome you again?

Christian – I do, but not often; even so, when that happens, those hours seem like gold to me.

Prudence – And do you remember the means by which you overcome such evils at those times?

Christian – Do I remember? When I meditate on what I saw, and what happened at the Cross; when I look at this embroidered garment; when I rejoice in looking at this certificate, and when I think about what awaits me, if I’m blessed to reach the place I’m headed for, then it seems that those evils, which trouble me so much, all vanish.

Prudence – And why do you so long to reach Mount Zion?

Christian – Oh! because I hope to meet there, alive, the One I recently saw nailed to the cross; I hope, when I arrive there, to be free from what now oppresses me, because death does not enter that place, and I will have the company that pleases me most (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:3–4). I greatly love the One who, through His death, freed me from the burden that weighed me down. My inward weaknesses have troubled me greatly. I desire to reach the country where there will be no more death, and I long to have companions like those who are always singing: Holy, Holy, Holy! Charity then spoke:

Charity – Do you have a family? Are you married?

Christian – I have a wife and four children.

Charity – Then why didn’t you bring them with you?

Christian – (Weeping.) I would have brought them with the best will in the world; but, sadly, all five were opposed to my journey and resisted it with all their strength.

Charity – But surely you should have talked to them and tried to convince them of the danger they were in.

Christian – I did so, also showing them what God had revealed to me concerning the ruin of our city. But they thought I was mad and would not listen to me (Genesis 19:14); I also added fervent prayer to the Lord to that counsel, for I deeply loved my wife and children.

Charity – I suppose you spoke with great earnestness about your sorrow and the fear you had of destruction, for I believe you clearly saw how imminent your ruin was.

Christian – Indeed, I did so, not once, but many times; and my fear was plain to see on my face, in my tears, and in the dread I felt at the thought of the judgment hanging over our heads. But none of it was enough to persuade them to follow me.

Charity – And what reasons did they give for not coming with you?

Christian – My wife feared losing this world, and my children were entirely given to the pleasures of youth; that’s why they let me set out on my journey alone.

Charity – And wasn’t it perhaps you, by your vain life, who made void the counsel you gave them to follow you?

Christian – Truly, I can say nothing in defense of my life, for I know how imperfect it has been, and I also know that a man may undo by his conduct what he tries to teach others by word for their good. But what I can affirm is that I was very careful not to give them any reason, through any improper action, to reject accompanying me on my pilgrimage; so much so that they accused me of being overly strict and of depriving myself, because of them, of things they thought harmless; and I can further say that what they saw in me was my deep concern not to sin against God and not to harm my neighbor.

Charity – It is certain that Cain hated his brother (1 John 3:12), because Abel’s works were good and his own were evil; and that is why your wife and children turned against you; by such behavior, they proved themselves hostile to what is good, and you delivered your soul from their blood (Ezekiel 3:19).

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Hymn 439 “Family Salvation”

The Pilgrim’s Progress, week 2, Friday, chapter 8

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 8

WEEK 2 – FRIDAY

Read and pray: “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.” (Dan. 6:22)

Christian passes unharmed through the lions

and arrives at the Beautiful Palace, where he is

kindly welcomed and treated with the utmost care and affection.

I SAW in my dream that, upon seeing the palace, Christian quickened his pace, hoping to find lodging there. But before reaching it, he came upon a very narrow passage, about a hundred paces from the palace, and saw, on each side of the road, a terrible lion. “Here lies the danger,” said Christian to himself, “that made Timorous and Mistrust turn back.” (The lions were on heavy chains, but Christian did not notice this.) “And I too must turn back, for I see that only death awaits me here.” But the porter of the palace, whose name was Watchful, perceiving Christian’s hesitation, cried out to him:

— “Do you still have so little faith?” (Mark 4:40). “Do not fear the lions, for they are chained, and they are only there to test faith or unbelief; walk down the middle of the road, and no harm will come to you.”

Christian then decided to go on. Though trembling with fear, he followed Watchful’s instructions exactly, and although he heard the roaring of the two beasts, he received no harm from them. He clapped his hands with joy, and in four leaps, reached the gate of the palace, and thus questioned Watchful.

Christian — Whose palace is this? Will I be allowed to spend the night here?

Watchful — This palace belongs to the Lord of the Valley and was built expressly to serve as a resting place and shelter for travelers. And you, where are you from and where are you going?

Christian — I come from the City of Destruction and am on my way to Mount Zion; night has overtaken me, and I would like to spend it here, if that’s all right.

Watchful — What is your name?

Christian — I am now called Christian; formerly, I was called Graceless. I am of the lineage of Japheth, whom God persuaded to dwell in the tents of Shem (Genesis 9:27).

Watchful — You arrive quite late. The sun has long since gone down.

Christian — Great misfortunes have happened to me. First, I let myself be overcome by sleep in the resting place on the slope of the valley. Even so, I could have arrived here earlier if, while sleeping, I had not let my certificate fall from my hands, which I only noticed was missing when I reached the top of the hill. I had to go back, and I thank God that I was able to find the precious document. These are the causes of my delay.

Watchful — Very well. Now I will call one of the virgins who dwell in the palace to speak with you and to introduce you to the rest of the household, according to the custom of the house, if your conversation pleases her.

He rang a bell, at the sound of which appeared a solemn and beautiful young woman named Discretion, who asked why she had been summoned.

Watchful — This man is a traveler who, from the City of Destruction, is heading to Mount Zion. Night fell upon him on the way, and he is very weary; he would like to know if he can find lodging here tonight. Discretion questioned him about his journey and the events that had occurred during it, and as she received satisfactory answers to all she wanted to know, she asked him:

Discretion — Tell me your name.

Christian — My name is Christian. And since I have been told that this building was constructed expressly for the safety and shelter of travelers, I would like to be allowed to spend the night here.

Discretion smiled, even as some tears rolled down her cheeks, and said: Let me call some members of my household. And she called Prudence, Piety, and Charity, who, after speaking with him for a while, brought him into the palace.

Many of the inhabitants came out to welcome Christian, singing: “Come in, blessed of the Lord; it was for travelers like you that this palace was built.” Christian bowed to them and followed them into the house. He sat down and was served a light meal while supper was being prepared. And to make good use of the time, they began the following conversation:

Piety — Good Christian, you have seen the affection and kindness with which we have treated you; tell us, then, for our edification, some adventures from your journey.

Christian — With great pleasure. And I am glad to see you in such good spirits toward me.

Piety — Tell me, what was the reason that moved you to undertake this pilgrimage?

Christian — What compelled me to leave my homeland was a dreadful voice that constantly cried in my ears: “If you do not leave this place, you will surely perish.”

Piety — Why did you choose this path?

Christian — Because God willed it. I was trembling and weeping, not knowing where to flee, when a man named Evangelist met me and guided me to the narrow gate, which I would never have found on my own, and showed me the road that directly brought me to this place.

Piety — And did you pass by the Interpreter’s House?

Christian — I did, and as long as I live, I shall never forget the things I learned there, especially these three:

1. How Christ maintains the work of grace in the heart, despite Satan’s efforts;

2. How man, because of the excess of his sins, comes to despair of God’s mercy;

3. The vision of one who, in a dream, witnessed the final judgment.

Piety — Did you hear that dream recounted?

Christian — I did, and it was truly terrible. But now, I am glad to have heard it.

Piety — And did you see anything else in the Interpreter’s House?

Christian — I saw a magnificent palace, whose inhabitants were clothed in gold. At the entrance of the palace, I saw a bold man who, pushing through the armed men who opposed him, managed to enter, while hearing the voices of the residents encouraging him to pursue eternal glory. I would gladly have stayed in that house for a whole year, but I still had much ground to cover, so I left and continued on my way.

Piety — And then, what did you see?

Christian — I had walked but a little when I saw a man nailed to a cross, covered in wounds and blood. As I looked at him, a burdensome weight fell from my shoulders, under which I had been groaning. It was a great surprise to me, for I had never seen anything like it. And while I stood amazed, looking at that man, three radiant figures came to me; one told me that my sins were forgiven; another took away my rags and gave me this splendid robe you see; and finally, the third sealed my forehead and gave me this certificate.

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Hymn 416 – “Spiritual Warfare – For God as Fortress”

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The Pilgrim’s Progress, week 2, Thursday, chapter 7

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 7

WEEK 2 – THURSDAY

Read and pray: “Therefore it says, ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” (Ephesians 5:14)

The other travelers also arrived at the beginning of the hill, but when they saw the cliffs and crags, and noticed that there were two other paths, much easier, which likely ended in the same place as the one Christian was on, they each decided to take their own way.

So, one went down the path called Danger and became lost in a dark forest; the other took the path of Eternal Death, which led to a vast field full of black mountains, where he stumbled and fell, never to rise again.

I turned my eyes to Christian to behold his dangerous ascent.

What toil! What weariness! He could not run, and at times even walking was difficult, having to use his hands to help himself climb. Fortunately, halfway up, there was a resting place, prepared by the Lord of the way for the comfort and refreshment of weary travelers. Upon arriving, Christian sat down to rest.

He took from his pocket his certificate, to rejoice and comfort himself with its reading, and to examine the robe that had been given him at the foot of the cross. But while he was resting, sleep overtook him, and during that sleep, the certificate fell from his hands. He only woke near nightfall. Still asleep, someone approached and said: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6). At this rebuke, he woke up and immediately rose, continuing his journey more swiftly until he reached the top of the hill.

As he approached, two men named Faintheart¹ and Distrust came running toward him in retreat. “Why are you turning back?” Christian asked them.

Faintheart – We were on our way to the city of Zion and had already overcome the difficulties of this pass; but as we went on, the obstacles grew worse, and we thought it wiser to turn back and abandon the journey.

Distrust – That’s exactly right. A short distance from here we saw two lions on the road; whether they were sleeping or awake we didn’t know, but we feared to get closer, for they might tear us to pieces.

Christian – Your words frighten me; but where could I flee and be safe? If I return to my country, my destruction is certain, for that land is condemned to fire and brimstone. But if I can reach the Celestial City, I will be safe forever. Onward, then! Let us trust! To turn back is to face sure death; to go forward is only to fear death, with eternal life in view. Onward, then!

And he continued on his way, while Faintheart and Distrust were already going back down the hill.

But the words of those two troubled him, and to encourage and comfort himself, he searched his chest for the certificate — but it was gone! Great was his anguish and distress to be missing that certificate, which had brought him so much comfort and was his pass into the Celestial City.

He remembered that he had slept on the way, and falling to his knees, begged the Lord for forgiveness, then turned back to search for the document he had lost. Poor Christian! Who could express the bitterness of his soul? He sighed, wept abundantly, and reproached himself for the foolishness of having allowed sleep to overtake him in a place meant only for momentary rest and refreshment.

He looked carefully to each side of the path, searching for his certificate, and thus arrived at the place where he had slept. There, his sorrow deepened, and his heartache grew worse as he beheld the place that reminded him of such a painful failure (Revelation 2:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).

He cried out in lament: Wretched and miserable man that I am! To fall asleep in the daytime! To sleep in the midst of so many dangers! To indulge the flesh and give it rest in a place meant only for brief refreshment! This is what happened to the Israelites who, because of their sins, had to return to the Red Sea!

Woe is me! I now have to retrace my steps with sorrow, which would never have happened if I had not given in to that sinful sleep. How much farther would I be along the way by now! To be forced to travel three times the distance I should have walked only once; and worse yet, to likely be overtaken by nightfall, for the day is nearly gone! Oh, how much better it would have been to resist the weight of sleep!

Absorbed in these thoughts, he reached the rest stop again. He sat down for a moment to give freer vent to his tears, until finally, Providence allowed that, as he glanced around the bench where he sat, he spotted the certificate; he snatched it up eagerly and returned it to his chest.

It would be impossible to describe the joy that flooded this man when he saw himself again in possession of that precious document — his guarantee of life and his pass to the desired haven. He held it close to his heart, gave thanks to God for allowing him to find it, and, weeping with joy, resumed his journey, now cheerful and light, though not so fast that he avoided being caught by sunset before reaching the top of the hill.

O fatal sleep! —Christian said amid his sorrow— you are the cause why I must now travel by night. The sun no longer shines on me. My feet will not know where to step, and my ears will hear only the howls of the night beasts. Alas! It is at night that the lions, which Faintheart and Distrust saw on the way, come in search of their prey. If I meet them in the darkness, who shall deliver me from their claws? (Revelation 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:7–8).

Such were Christian’s thoughts. But lifting his eyes, he beheld a magnificent palace, standing right along the road, and its name was Beautiful Palace.

_____________________

¹ One who fears; one afraid of making mistakes; timid, hesitant, bashful.

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Hymn 90 “His Worth”

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The Pilgrim’s Progress, week 2, Wednesday, chapter 7

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 7

WEEK 2 – WEDNESDAY

Read and pray: “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)

Christian meets Simple, Sloth, and Presumption
given to deep sleep; is scorned by Formalist
and by Hypocrisy; climbs the Hill of Difficulty; loses the certificate and finds it again.

THIS scene over, Christian continued on his way, and as he descended the slope of the hill on which the events just related had taken place, he saw, a short distance from the path, three men named Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, lying in a deep sleep with their feet bound by iron chains.

He went to them to awaken them, and cried: Wake up, for you are like those who sleep on the top of a mast (Proverbs 23:34), with the Dead Sea beneath your feet—an unfathomable abyss. Rise up and come with me; I will help you get free from these chains, for if the roaring lion comes this way, you will surely fall into his dreadful claws (1 Peter 5:8).

All three woke up, looked at Christian, but paid no attention to what he said. “I don’t see any danger,” said Simple. “Let me sleep a little longer,” added Sloth. And Presumption told him not to meddle in his life and to let him be. So they went back to sleep, and Christian continued along the road.

He walked on, though sad and grieved that those men, in such imminent danger, so stubbornly refused the generous offer he had made to help free them from their chains, after awakening them from their deadly sleep and giving them sound advice.

While absorbed in these thoughts, Christian saw—much to his surprise—two men jump over the wall that bordered the narrow way and come toward him. Their names were Formalist and Hypocrisy. As they approached Christian, the following dialogue took place:

Christian – Where do you come from, gentlemen, and where are you going?

Formalist and Hypocrisy – We are natives of the land of Vainglory and are heading to Mount Zion to seek praise.

Christian – But why didn’t you enter through the gate at the beginning of the path? Don’t you know it is written: “He who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber”? (John 10:1)

Formalist and Hypocrisy – The people of our country consider, and rightly so, that it is a long way around to reach the gate, and they know it’s easier to climb over the wall. True, in doing so they go against the revealed will of the Lord, but they have been doing this for over a thousand years, and you know that custom becomes law.

There is no doubt that if this matter were taken to court, an impartial judge would rule in our favor. Besides, what matters is being on the way; how one enters is less important. You came in through the gate, we jumped the wall—but we are all on the same path, and we don’t see how your way is any better.

Christian – I cannot agree with you. I follow the rule established by the Master, while you act on the impulse of your whims, and are rightly considered by the Lord of the Way to be thieves. I am certain that at the end of your journey you will not be regarded as men of faith and truth. You entered without the Lord’s approval; you will leave without His mercy.

Formalist and Hypocrisy – That may all be very true, but it’s best for everyone to mind his own business and let others be. Know this: we observe the laws and commandments just as strictly as you do, and the only difference between us is that garment you wear—probably given to you by someone to cover the shame of your nakedness.

Christian – You are utterly mistaken if you think the laws and commandments will save you and you have not entered by the narrow gate (Galatians 2:16). This garment that caught your attention was given to me by the Lord to cover my nakedness, and I consider it a great sign of His kindness, for before I had nothing but rags.

When I reach the city gate, He will recognize me as worthy to enter because of this robe He gave me on the day He cleansed me of my misery. Moreover, I bear a mark on my forehead, which you may not have noticed, placed there by one of the Lord’s closest friends on the day the burden that so oppressed me fell from my shoulders.

I also have a sealed certificate, which was likewise given to me—both to comfort me as I read it along the way and to serve as a token for my admission to the Celestial City. I suspect you will lack all these things—and it is because you did not come in through the gate.

They did not answer Christian’s remarks; they only looked at each other and smiled. After that, all three walked on. Christian went ahead, talking to himself—at times sad, at times comforted and glad—reading from time to time the certificate he had received, which gave him much strength.

So they came to the foot of a steep hill where there was a spring, and besides the path that started at the gate, there were two other ways called Danger and Eternal Death. The path that went through the hill was called Difficulty. Christian came to the spring (Isaiah 55:1), drank and was refreshed.

Then he began to climb the hill by the path of Difficulty, saying: The way is steep and rough, but it leads straight to life—it is necessary to envidar¹ all effort and resolve in this endeavor. Take courage, my heart, do not be afraid or hesitate; it is better to follow the true path, though rugged, than to take the easier one that leads to eternal ruin!

_____________________

¹ To exert, to apply, to commit oneself

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Hymn 30 “‘Abba, Father’, here gathered”

https://hinario.org/detail.php?id=55

The Pilgrim’s Progress, week 2, Tuesday, chapter 6

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 6

WEEK 2 – TUESDAY

Read and pray: “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Pet. 1:23)

Christian arrives at the Cross

His burden falls from his shoulders, he is justified,
and receives a garment and a certificate of adoption [sonship]¹ into the family of God.

MY dream continued. I saw Christian walking along a path that was bordered on both sides by walls called salvation (Isaiah 26:1). He was walking with great difficulty because of the burden on his back, but his steps were quick and steady; I saw him come to a small hill where a cross stood, and a little below it, a tomb. As soon as he reached the cross, his burden was loosened instantly from his shoulders and, rolling down, it fell into the tomb and never came out again.

How relieved and joyful Christian became! “Blessed be He who, through His sufferings, has given me rest, and through His death has given me life!” he exclaimed. He stood still for a moment, enraptured, as he contemplated the great benefit the cross had just brought him; he looked from side to side in awe, until his heart overflowed with abundant tears (Zechariah 12:10).

He was weeping when three shining beings appeared before him and greeted him with: “Peace be to you.” Then the first of them said: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). The second, taking off his filthy clothes, clothed him with a festive robe (Zechariah 3:4), and the third, placing a mark on his forehead (Ephesians 1:13), handed him a sealed certificate, which he was to ponder over along the way and present upon arriving at the Celestial City.

Upon seeing all these things, Christian felt immense joy and continued his journey, singing more or less these words:

“I always walked oppressed beneath the weight of all my sin, No balm could I find for my suffering until I came to this place. Where am I? Oh! surely here begins my blessedness, For here the chains were broken that bound the burden to my shoulders. I salute you, O blessed cross! Blessed be the holy sepulcher! Blessed be forever the One who was buried in you for my sins.”

__________________________

¹ There is no scriptural basis for believing that Christians were adopted by God. God did not find us in an orphanage; He begot us in Christ. “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Gal. 4:6)

“‘Abba’ is an Aramaic word that means ‘father’. After being regenerated, we are no longer merely God’s creatures; we are His children. Now that we are born of God and are related to Him in life, it is very normal and sweet to call Him ‘Father.’” – Commentary by Witness Lee on note 2 of Rom. 8:15 (Recovery Version Bible)

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Hymn "His Righteousness"

https://hinario.org/detail.php?id=32

The Pilgrim’s Progress, week 2, Monday, chapter 5

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 5

WEEK 2 — MONDAY

Read and pray: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)

Christian at the Interpreter’s House (2)

Then the Interpreter led Christian to a very pleasant place, where there stood a magnificent and sumptuous palace, on whose battlements¹ were people dressed in gold; at the door he saw a great crowd, seemingly eager to enter, but who did not dare to do so.

He also saw, not far from the door, a man sitting at a table with a book and writing materials, who was in charge of noting the names of those who entered. Furthermore, he saw in the atrium many armed men guarding the entrance, ready to prevent at all costs anyone who tried to enter.

All these things surprised Christian, but his amazement was indescribable when he saw that, while everyone else retreated in fear of the armed men, one man, with boldness painted on his face, approached the one sitting at the table and said, “Write down my name,” and immediately, sword in hand and head protected by a helmet, he attacked the guards. Despite the fury with which they resisted, he boldly dealt blows and thrusts in all directions.

His boldness was such that, although wounded, having knocked down many who desperately tried to block his way (Matthew 11:12; Acts 14:22), he made his way through them and entered the palace, to the general applause of the people on the battlements¹ who had witnessed the fight and who shouted, “Enter, enter, and you will enjoy eternal glory.” Then, receiving him with inexpressible joy, they dressed him in shining robes similar to those they wore.

“I understand perfectly,” said Christian, smiling. “Now allow me to continue on my way.”

“No,” replied the Interpreter; “I still have some things to show you.”

Taking him by the hand, he led him to a dark house where a man was locked in a cage.

Deep sadness was evident on his face; his eyes were fixed on the ground, his hands crossed over his chest, and long sighs and groans showed the affliction within him. “What is this?” exclaimed Christian, amazed. “He will tell you,” replied the Interpreter.

Christian — “Who are you?”

Prisoner — “Ah! There was a time when I professed to be a Christian; I prospered and flourished in my own eyes and in the eyes of my neighbors (Luke 8:13). I thought I was destined for the celestial city, and this idea filled me with joy. Now, however, I am a desperate creature locked in this iron cage. I want to get out, but—Alas! I cannot!”

Christian — “But how did you come to such a miserable state?”

Prisoner — “I ceased to watch and be sober; I gave reins to my passions, sinned against what the Lord’s word and goodness clearly and firmly command; I grieved the Holy Spirit, and He withdrew from me; I invoked the devil, and he answered my call; I provoked God’s wrath, and God abandoned me; my heart hardened so much that I can no longer repent.”

Christian — “And is there no remedy or hope for you? Must you remain locked forever in this despairing cage? Is not the Blessed Son of the Lord infinitely merciful?”

Prisoner — “I have no more hope. I myself crucified again² the Son of God (Hebrews 6:6), I hated His person (Luke 19:14), despised His righteousness, profaned His blood, insulted the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:28-29), hence I consider myself deprived of all hope. All that remains to me are the terrible threats of a certain and sure judgment and the prospect of a consuming fire that will devour me. This is the state to which passions, pleasures, and worldly interests have reduced me — once sources of joy and delight, now tormenting and gnawing me like worms of fire.”

Christian — “But can you not return to God and repent again?”

Prisoner — “God has denied me repentance³; I find no encouragement to believe in His word; God Himself has locked me in this prison, and no human strength could free me. Oh! Eternity! Eternity! What profit could I have from the misery that awaits me forever!”

Interpreter — “Christian, never forget4 the misery of this man; let this remembrance serve you as a warning and lesson.”

Christian — “A very terrible lesson! May the Lord permit me to watch and be sober so that I may never suffer such great misery. But, I repeat, isn’t it time for me to continue on my way?”

Interpreter — “Not yet. I have one more thing to show you.” Accompanied by Christian, he entered a house where a man was rising from his bed and, as he dressed, was shivering and trembling. The Interpreter did not explain what this scene meant but ordered the man himself to explain.

The man spoke thus: “Last night I dreamed that dreadful darkness obscured the entire sky, while terrifying lightning bolts flashed, and thunder rumbled, casting me into the most distressing agony. I also saw thick clouds crashing against each other, driven by a fierce storm. I saw a man sitting on a cloud, accompanied by countless heavenly beings, all in flames. It seemed as if the heavens were burning like a brazier, and at the same time I heard the voice of a terrible trumpet saying, ‘Rise, dead, and come to judgment!’ At that moment, I saw that even the rocks split and the graves opened, and the dead that they enclosed came out — some joyful, eyes fixed on the heavens, others ashamed, trying to hide under the mountains.

Then I saw the man on the cloud open a great book and order all to approach him, but at a respectful distance, as is usual between the judge and the accused he is about to judge, for fire came from the cloud that allowed no one to come near (1 Corinthians 15:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 14-15; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-13; Isaiah 26:21; Micah 7:16-17; Psalm 44:1-3; Malachi 3:2-3; Daniel 7:9-10). Then I heard the man on the cloud command the servants: ‘Separate the weeds and straw, and throw them into the burning fire’ (Matthew 3:12; 7:19; 12:30; 25:30; Malachi 4:1). At that very moment, right where I was standing, the abyss opened, from whose mouth issued, with a horrible noise, dreadful columns of fire and burning coals.

The man then spoke again, saying: ‘Gather my wheat into the barn’ (Luke 3:17), and I saw many taken up by the clouds, but I remained where I was (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). I sought a place to hide but could not find one because the judge’s gaze was fixed on me; I then felt my sins piling up in my memory, and my conscience accused me from every side (Romans 2:15). And I awoke.

Christian — “And why were you so frightened to see these things?” — “Because I thought the day of final judgment had come, and I was not prepared for it; and even more because I saw the angels taking many away, leaving me on the edge of the abyss, while I was tormented by my conscience, which the judge was looking at, and his face seemed full of indignation.”

When the man finished speaking, the Interpreter, addressing Christian, who was hovering between hope and fear, said to him: “Engrave these things in your memory, and may it be5 that they serve as an encouragement for you not to turn back on the path you are about to take. Go forth, then, and may the Comforter accompany you, always being your guide to the city.” Christian set out on his way, repeating to himself many6 times: “Great and profitable things I have just seen; though terrible, they are of great value to me. I want to think about them, because they were not taught to me in vain. I am very grateful to the good Interpreter for the kindness he showed me.”

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¹ Battlements — each of the parapets regularly separated by merlons at the top of fortress walls and castles; the cutout at the top of a wall or tower.

² Although the illustration of the man imprisoned in the cage is based on Hebrews 6:1-8, this biblical passage does not give any basis to believe that Christians can lose their salvation in Christ. This text is a warning to the Hebrew believers, who were being persuaded to return to their former Jewish religion, which would hinder the progress of the Lord’s salvation work in them. The salvation work of a person who has already believed in the Lord Jesus can be delayed but never annulled, as it is irreversible (John 10:28-29). Regarding this, brother Witness Lee comments on Hebrews 8:3: “Once saved, believers can never be a genuine curse. However, if they do not continue to produce Christ but cling to things displeasing to God, they are near the curse, which is to suffer the punishment of God’s governmental dealing. (This should be considered as the discipline or punishment mentioned in 12:7-8). Being near the curse is completely different from suffering eternal perdition, which is the genuine curse.”

³ We recognize that God can indeed harden the hearts of men (Exodus 4:21; 7:3; Joshua 11:20; 1 Samuel 2:25; Romans 11:7-8) to the point where they can no longer repent. But if this happens to a Christian, it means he will be disqualified from reigning with Christ in the coming age (millennium) with the other victors. Although believers are not lost eternally, they may suffer dispensational punishment during the millennium for their failures (Hebrews 10:28-29), which in the New Testament the Lord calls “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).

Claro! Aqui está a tradução completa das notas de rodapé, toda em inglês, conforme solicitado:

4 "Do not forget" — "Do not forget"

⁵  May it be" — "Hopefully"

⁶ "Repeatedly" — "Repeatedly"

Enjoy more:

Hymn “Mystery”

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