Chapter 20 The Pilgrims Enter the Celestial City

Chapter 20 The Pilgrims Enter Celestial City

Summary

We reach the end of the journey with Christian and Hopeful.  Upon entering into the Country of Beulah, “Christian with desire fell sick,” and “Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease.”  After being refreshed, the pilgrims sleep and then prepare to cross over the river of Death, their last enemy.  Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith (Hebrews 12:1), they arrive on the other side of the river.  At the Lord’s command the gate of glory is opened to them and they are admitted to the glorious city.  We take one last look at the awful delusion of Ignorance, whereby we may assess our own hope to find out whether it is a vain hope or a hope founded only upon our union with Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

1.       As the pilgrims continue on the Way, they enter the Country of Beulah.  Beulah means “married”; the name is taken from Isaiah 62:4.  What part of the Christian’s pilgrimage do you think the country of Beulah represents?

2.       Christian and Hopeful must cross a river before they can arrive at the gate to the Celestial City.  Describe how each man crosses this river.

3.       Why are the pilgrims able to go up the mighty hill on which the city stands with ease?

4.       What type of welcome are Christian and Hopeful given as they draw near the gate?

5.       Why is Ignorance able to cross the river “without half the difficulty which the other two men met with”?

6.       What happens to Ignorance at the gate of the city? 

Application:

Christian and Hopeful enter the country of Beulah.  This land is meant to represent the sweet peace and confidence that believers should experience towards the close of their lives.  After a delightful stay in the country of Beulah the pilgrims proceed towards the Celestial City.  Two men approach and tell them that they must still meet with two more difficulties.  We learn that these difficulties are death without and unbelief within.  The unbelief within is what makes death distressing to us.

So finally the pilgrims meet their last enemy, death.  When death stares them in the face, their fears arise, but through the river they must go.  They must look only to Jesus, who has conquered death for his redeemed children and can and will overcome the fear of death in them.  Faith in Jesus and in what he has done for them supplies the solid ground they need to walk on in order to pass through the river of death.

After lifting us up to the very heights of heaver, Bunyan then brings us to a very solemn and instructive portion of the story as he shows us what becomes of Ignorance.  Vain-Hope had been Ignorance’s companion all his life and he did not desert him at death.  Ignorance had set out on his journey relying on his own presumed righteousness, and God had given him over to this evil, satanic delusion and left him to perish in this lie.  And so Ignorance, who had been instructed by Christian and Hopeful that the righteousness of Christ is the only hope for sinful man, trusts in his own works and deeds and crosses the river of death on the boat belonging to Vain-Hope.  Finally our dreamer describes the end of Ignorance, how he is bound and carried to the door in the side of the hill leading to Hell.

We must take from this the need to take stock of our lives, to look inward at our faith and verify that it is resting on Christ alone and not on our own righteousness.

Chapter 19 The Pilgrims Deal With Ignorance

In this section Christian and Hopeful have another encounter and discourse with Ignorance.  Ignorance reveals his blindness to the corruption of his own heart and his vain confidence in himself instead of complete reliance on Christ’s active and passive obedience for pardon and justification.  After speaking to Ignorance about salvation and pressing him to trust Christ, Christian and Hopeful leave him to himself and continue their journey.  A profitable conversation ensues about the way in which God uses conviction of sin and the punishment due sin to direct sinners to the cross. Next the pilgrims discuss an acquaintance of theirs who became a backslider because he was a total stranger to his own heart, the truths of God’s laws, and the glorious gospel.

Ignorance’s hope is based ultimately on one authority, his heart.   What should it be based on?

Ignorance asks “What are good thoughts of God?”  How does Christian respond?

How do Ignorance’s “Good Thoughts” compare with a verse like Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

What is Ignorance’s definition of justification?

“I believe that Christ died for sinners,” answered Ignorance, “and that I’ll be justified before God from the Curse through His gracious acceptance of my obedience to his Law. Or this: I believe Christ makes my religious duties acceptable to His Father by virtue of His merits. In that way I will be justified.”

Christian gives a 4 point correction to Ignorance’s confession of faith:

1.       First—you believe with a bizarre faith, for this faith is not described anywhere in the Word.

2.       Second—you believe with a false faith because it takes justification away from the personal righteousness of Christ and applies it to your own.

3.       Third—this faith doesn’t make Christ a justifier of your person but of your actions, and of your person for your actions’ sake, which is false.

4.       Fourth—therefore, this faith is deceitful, even such as will leave you under wrath in the Day of God Almighty.¹⁴  [1]

Christian and Hopeful have a conversation about the role of Fear in leading a person to Christ.  Which one jumps out at you, or had a role in your conversion process?

1.       Proper fear is recognized by its rise, for its caused by saving convictions of sin

2.       It drives the soul to lay a firm hold of Christ for Salvation

3.       It produces and continues in the soul a great reverence for God, His Word, and His ways, keeping the soul tender and making it afraid to turn from them … toward anything that may dishonor God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproachfully.

Christian lists nine steps to backsliding.  Were any of these warning signs to you?  Which ones particularly?

1.       First—they direct their thoughts—all that they can—away from the remembrance of God, death, and judgment to come.27

2.       Second—they gradually quit performing private duties, such as room-prayer,28 curbing their desires,29 watching,30 sorrow for sin,31 and the like.

3.       Third—they shun the company of lively and warm Christians.32

4.       Fourth—then they grow cold to public duty such as hearing,33 reading,34 and godly consultation.

5.       Fifth—in a devilish manner they begin to pick holes, as we say, in the coats of some of the godly for some weakness they’ve seen in them, so they may have a seemingly good reason to throw religion behind their backs.35

6.       Sixth—they begin to adhere to and associate themselves with worldly, careless, and unrestrained people.36

7.       Seventh—they give way to doing worldly and unrestrained things in secret and are glad if they can see such things in anyone who is recognized as an honest person, so they may more boldly do it through their example.37

8.       Eighth—after this, they begin to play with little sins openly.

9.       Ninth—then being hardened, they show themselves as they are.

Application:

We need to think “Good thoughts” that correspond to scripture of ourselves.  The pride of our nature is one of the last evils revealed to ourselves.  Though God’s truth is clear, Ignorance’s depraved mind dims and distorts this truth and makes a religious system in which he cooperates (by his works) with Christ for his right standing with God.  We must guard against even the smallest changes to the gospel of grace that lead in this direction.  It is good to look back as Hopeful did at our condition before conversion, for it causes us to be thankful to God because it is his mercy and grace only that have made us different from those who are living in the delusion of pride and self-righteousnes.  We must be open to true Christian fellowship that allows others the freedom to ask difficult questions.  This kind of honesty between believers is a strong preventive measure against backsliding.

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[1] Bunyan, John; Hazelbaker, L. Edward (1998-07-01). The Modern English Edition of Pilgrim's Progress (Kindle Locations 4639-4643). Bridge-Logos. Kindle Edition.

Lesson 9 completed Hopeful Tells of His Conversion

Hopeful Tells of His Conversion (Chapter 18)

The pilgrims then come to the enchanted ground, and here they are inclined “to grow drowsy in soul,” for upon these grounds all things go easily, smoothly and well.  Determined not to fall asleep, they manage their fellowship well and engage in a lively conversation.

1)      Christian and Hopeful come to the enchanted ground.  By the enchanted ground Bunyan is illustrating those periods in the Christian life when there is ease and little difficulty.  There are no financial problems, good health is enjoyed, and there are harmonious relationships with friends and family.  There are no major problems or afflictions.  Hopeful wants to lie down and nap.  Why will Christian not let him sleep?

2)      What do you think happens when Christians sleep on the enchanted ground?

3)      We learn to prize the company of good Christian friends as we consider the story of Christian and Hopeful in the enchanted ground.  How does Christian suggest that they prevent drowsiness?  Do you have someone in your life that will challenge you this way?

4)      As Hopeful shares his testimony, several valuable insights are shared.  What brought conviction of sin to him?

5)      When he endeavored to mend his life by good works, why did Trouble come tumbling upon him again?

6)      What caused Hopeful to believe Faithful’s statement that the needed to “obtain the Righteousness of a man that never had sinned”?

7)      What was Hopeful instructed to say when he went before the Mercy Seat?

8)      There are several key phrases in this prayer that make it theologically correct.  What are they?

9)      Do you see any difference between the typical way one is helped to receive Christ today and Hopeful’s conversion experience?

10)   How did Hopeful answer his own question, “but Lord, what is Believing?”

11)   What effect did the revelation of Christ to Hopeful’s soul have upon his spirit?

Pilgrims are liable to become weary with the struggle towards the end of their journey, and this is why the enchanted ground is placed so near to the borders of the Celestial City.  Sleep is good for the physical body, but for the soul it can be deadly. 

How are we to be kept from this slumber (I.E., lukewarm formality in worship, spiritual coldness in prayer and Bible reading and hearts shut to a vivid view of spiritual realities)?  Pray to God that it may be as it was with Christian and Hopeful, who “managed well” by fellowship rather than by affliction and persecution.  Certainly troubles make us watchful, and a distressed soul does not sleep, but all would agree that lively conversation about the ways of the Lord is much to be preferred.

Note that Hopeful had reformation but his actions were not enough to save him.  He needed a work of the Holy Spirit and to be justified by faith alone.

My application this week is to connect with an accountability partner.  To share your struggles with them and pray for each other to fight against the enchanted ground that we walk every day.

The Pilgrims Meet the Flatterers

The Pilgrims Meet the Flatterers (Chapter 17)

Next our pilgrims meet the Flaterer.  We observe that not only gospel hypocrites but also real disciples are sometimes led astray by delusions not examined in the light of Scripture, leading to self-righteousness and spiritual pride.  Graciously rescued from the net of their error, Christian and Hopeful are disciplined and go softly along the right way singing.  A man with his back towards Zion comes up to them.  This so-called seeker of twenty years proves to be another enemy of the cross.

1.       The Pilgrims came to an intersection where they meet a dark skinned man in a light colored robe who said he was on his way to the Celestial City and they should follow him.  How is this man like 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

2.       How could the Pilgrims have avoided the net?

3.       Who rescues Christian and Hopeful and how? The Shining One, but who does this represent?

4.       What means did he use to correct and caution them?

5.       Next the pilgrims meet “a man with his back toward Zion.”  What is his name, what advice does he give to Christian and Hopeful, and why does he give it?

6.       I did not really appreciate the way in which Christian tests Hopeful on what Atheist said.

After dealing quite triumphantly, in their opinion, with Little-Faith, haughty Christian and Hopeful continue on their way.  This attitude of superiority to weak Christians quickly leads to a bad situation for both of them.  Their high-mindedness causes them to lean to their own knowledge and choose a way that seems to lie as straight as the way by which they should go.  This choice is made without consulting Scripture and without prayer.  The black figure clothed in white is the white devil of self-righteousness and is more dangerous than the black devil of open  sin.  We see that by small degrees the pilgrims’ faces are turned away from Christ and the correct path and that they are soon entangled in the net of their own prideful error.

A shining one then comes to their rescue.  This shining one is meant to represent the Holy Spirit who is the leader and guide for all believers.

When tempted to disbelief, we should do as Christian and Hopeful do; remember past visions of Mount Zion (lean on past experiences of God’s deliverance) and remember corrections for past mistakes.

Lesson 9 The Pilgrim's Discussion about Little Faith

Lesson 9

The Pilgrim’s Discussion About Little Faith (Chapter 16)

Ignorance has come out of the country of Conceit but still observes many of its customs and traditions, believing that he can in some way contribute to his righteousness before God.  Individuals such as Ignorance, Jesus calls thieves and robbers, for they rob him of the glory of his grace and trivialize the complete sufficiency of his atoning sacrifice.  As Christian and Hopeful travel on, Christian relates a story about the robbery of a man named Little-Faith, from which we catch a glimpse of the seed of true faith, however weak, and learn a lesson in diligence and dependence on the grace that Christ bestows.

1.       The pilgrims meet ignorance, from the country of Conceit.  When Christian asks Ignorance on what he bases his hopes of heaven, how does Ignorance respond?

2.       Have you ever had any experience with someone like Ignorance?

3.       What did Christian and Hopeful decide would be the best way to witness to Ignorance?  Do you agree with it or would you have done something differently?

4.       Christian and Hopeful enter into a very dark lane.  What do they see?

5.       From the inscription on this man’s back, what clue do you get as to how he deserved his fate?

6.       Christian tells a story about a man by the name of Little-Faith.  What do you think the following elements of the story represent?

a.       His bag of silver and spending money

b.      His jewels

c.       His certificate

d.      Mr. Faint-Heart

e.      Mr. Mistrust

f.        Mr. Guilt

g.       Great Grace

7.       How do the “three sturdy Rogues” work in the lives of Christians today as they did in the story of Little-Faith?

8.       Whom were they afraid of?

9.       Though Little-Faith was able to keep his certificate and jewels, why did he make little use of them?

10.   “When we hear that such Robberies are done on the King’s Highway” what two things should we do?

11.   Briefly what is the meaning of this story?

Notes on Chapter 16

So long as people think they can do anything towards making themselves righteous before God, their name is Ignorance and they are full of self-righteous conceit.

Selfishness and carnal delights are not compatible with love for God and spiritual delights.  Too soon sin will cause the warmth of love for God to cool, and we will fall into a cold, dead formalism resulting in hypocrisy and finally apostasy.  The redeemed realize that there is no compatibility with the nature of Turn-Away’s profession if God has set up his kingdom in a heart, and they take from this a warning to examine their own lives.

Little faith was robbed of their assurance, peace and joy (spending money).  The robbery in the story would never have taken place if Little-Faith had been diligent in his pursuit of God.  Instead he goes to sleep in Dead-man’s lane, as relaxed and carefree as if he had already arrived at the end of his pilgrimage.  When three rogues attack him, he is unable to ward them off, for his has been such a casual, comfortable journey thus far that he has never had to stretch and exercise his spiritual muscles by digging deep into God’s Word or by spending a night in agonizing prayer.  When disaster comes to believers whose spiritual muscles are flabby they are easily overcome, for they have no hidden life of prayer, Bible study, and communion with God by which to gain strength for the conflict.

Though the robbers took Little-Faith’s spending money, they did not steal his jewels, for these are the graces by which a believer’s soul is united to Christ (his adoption into God’s family and Christ’s robes of righteousness which have been bestowed on him by the Holy Spirit).  From the ineffectiveness of the church today we can see how often these same rogues must be attacking careless, weak believers.  When difficult circumstances come, Mr. Faint-Heart kidnaps many believers, causing them to be discouraged and fearful; Mr. Mistrust holds hostage even more Christians trembling with doubts and lack of faith; and Mr. Guilt paralyzes pilgrims who continue to condemn themselves for past sins even though God, through Christ, has forgiven them.

Little-Faith, robbed and wounded, spends the rest of his life begging, that is, riding on the coattails of other believers’ experiences of joy, zeal, and knowledge.

Little-Faith had a weak faith, but it was a real faith, for he had no trust in his own merits at all and it is better to have little faith, even with the lack of comfort and joy, than to have none at all.

Lesson 8 The Pilgrims Reach the Delightful Mountains

Lesson 8

The Pilgrims Reach the Delightful Mountains (Chapter 15)

After Christian and Hopeful leave Doubting Castle and the giant Despair, we are made aware that the Christian life is a continual series of ups and downs, prosperity and adversity, which Christians must go through on their way to heaven.  Hebrews 5:8 says that Christ learned obedience by the things that he suffered.  Certainly if the Son of God learned in this way, we may expect the same.    The Pilgrims now reach the Delectable Mountains (Immanuel’s Land), where they are “shown some wonders” by the four shepherds.  The Shepherds names were Knowledge, Experience, Watchfulness, and Sincerity.  The 4 wonders were the hill called Error, a mountain called Caution, the Hypocrites door to Hell and the gates of the Celestial City.

1.       What do you think the Celestial Mountains represent?

2.       The Puritans called the Sabbath a “market day for the soul.”  Could these mountains represent the Sabbath and all that Sabbath rest entails (i.e., a day set aside for instruction in Sunday School, for sitting under the preaching of godly ministers, and for meditation on Scripture and prayer)? 

3.       The four shepherds names imply what about the responsibilities of pastors to their flocks?

4.       What is the significance of each of the wonders the shepherds showed the pilgrims?

a.       Hill called Error: The hill is made up of intricate speculations not backed up by Scripture and deceptive reasonings founded on human theories.  These falsehoods lead men from the clear truthes found in the Bible into dangerous and destructive errors, causing them to climb too high on loose gravel and unstable lookouts, to fall, and to be dashed to pieces.

b.      Mountain called Caution: We have a great need to gaze constantly from Mount Caution, to see what awful things have happened to others and to learn from their mistakes.

c.       Door to Hell: It is explained that this is a by-way to hell, a way that hypocrites enter.  With sadness, we see how much some men and women can be exposed to the truth and yet in the end reject it because of the perverseness of their hearts and the bondage of their wills to sin.  Should these examples not cause us to walk humbly, yet diligently, ever looking to Jesus, who is able to keep us from falling?

d.      The hill called Clear:  How thankful we should be to our pastors, who give us glimpses of heaven each Sunday and invite us to walk in the suburbs of the Celestial City with their clear teachings!  Christian and Hopeful’s view of the Celestial City is hampered by their shaking hands as they look through the glass of God’s Word.  Often our unbelief and fear, not to mention our constant gazing with love in the wrong direction, cause us to be unable to appreciate or to see clearly the beauty of all that awaits us as joint heirs with Christ of the everlasting kingdom of God.

Lesson 8 Summary

On the Delectable Mountains pilgrims are given a chance to “have their souls catch up with their bodies” after a hectic, difficult exhausting week.  How we should prize and guard the Sabbath, which is to be a foretaste of heaven, and use it to worship God and nourish our eternal souls!

Lesson 7 Hopeful Joins Christian

The Pilgrims and the Deceitfulness of Riches (Chapter 13) and The Pilgrims Deal with Giant Despair (Chapter 14)

After leaving Vanity Fair, Christian is given another excellent companion in Hopeful.  As they strike up a conversation with By-ends, they are exposed to his fatal and soul – deceiving error of being double-minded in all his ways.  Christian and Hopeful withdraw from By-ends when they perceive his condition.  By-ends then finds three new companions with whom he makes an agreeable friendship.  They attempt to unite the love of money with the love of Christ.  Though God graciously preserves Christian and Hopeful as they pass by Demas and the hill Lucre, the two pilgrims trust their own wisdom (make a sinful choice_ and fall into the hands of the giant named Despair.

1.       After leaving Vanity Fair, Hopeful and Christian meet By-ends.  How would you describe this character?

2.       By-ends tries to go two ways at once.  He has two goals: to be religious and to hold on to the world at the same time.  Why is this impossible (Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon)

3.       How does By-ends describe Christian and Hopeful to his new friends?

“but the men ahead of us are so rigid and love their own notions so much, and so lightly esteem the opinions of others, that although a man be extremely godly, yet if he doesn’t agree with them in all things, they thrust him quite out of their company.”

4.       By-ends suggests this question: If a preacher or layman has a chance to gain an advantage by appearing more zealous in some points of religion than he has previously been, can he not do so and still be honest?  What are the 4 reasons he gives in the affirmative?

a.       Desire of a higher salary is lawful.

b.      The desire for that salary makes him more studious, a more zealous preacher.  It makes him improve himself which is according to the mind of God

c.       Compromising principles in order to serve shows self-denial, an influential demeanor and that he is more fit for the ministry.

d.      He is not covetous for seeking advancement, but He pursues his calling and the opportunity to put his hand into doing good.

Christians response:  If it’s unlawful to follow Christ to obtain loaves, as shown in John six, how much more abominable is it to make of Him and religion a stalkinghorse7 to get and enjoy the world? Nor do we find anyone but heathen, hypocrites, devils, and sorcerers who hold this opinion.

He then goes on to describe each of the types with examples from scripture.

He concludes with this:

“don’t think this simply a fabrication of my own mind that a man who becomes religious for the purpose of gaining the world will be just as willing to throw away religion to obtain it. As surely as Judas had designs on the world in becoming religious, he just as surely sold religion and his Master for the same thing. To answer the question in the affirmative, therefore, as I perceive you have done, and to accept such an answer as correct, is irreligious, hypocritical, and devilish. Your reward will be according to your works.”

5.       What does Demas invite them to do, and why does Christian refuse?  Have you ever accepted Demas’s invitation?

6.       After a pleasant interlude by the river of God, Christian and Hopeful set out on their pilgrimage again.  The river and the Way part.  Why do they wish for a better way?

The path away from the river was rough, and their feet were tender because of their travels, so they grew impatient on the way. As they continued on, therefore, they wished for a better road.

7.       How do Christian and Hopeful illustrate Proverbs 14:12?  “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death”

8.       When we are tempted to sin, as Christian and Hopeful are in stepping out of the Way, Satan says: “Go ahead and sin.  God loves you, and repentance is an easy thing.”  However, once we have sinned, Satan’s tune changes and he says, “What a miserable sinner you are.  Repentance is impossible.  God will never forgive you.”  How do Doubting Castle and the giant Despair illustrate the truth of the above statements?

9.       Why is it that we seldom read about such despair over sin in our own day?

Lesson 7 Summary

Before we judge Mr. By-any-ends let’s look at how we might be called by that name.  How deep down in our hearts can those ulterior motives hide!  Until we learn to serve Christ and love him because “he is altogether lovely” and not only for the benefits we receive from Him, we have some of By-ends in ourselves. 

When believers have full proof that someone’s profession of faith is false, they must reprove such a person and then, if this has no effect, withdraw themselves from that person. 

The Doubting castle part of Pilgrim’s Progress shows us the depth of misery into which sin may plunge the Christian and also the depth to which the mercy of God in Christ may reach.  Though despair is not good, it is infinitely better than indifference to sin.  When believers turn to prayer in Doubting Castle, deliverance is close at hand.  Though the pilgrims had sinned greatly in leaning to their own understanding, God had graciously taught them some valuable lessons from this bitter experience.  They had learned never to depart from God’s Way and anything that he desired them to go through, to value the light of God’s countenance and to distrust themselves more thoroughly.

In conclusion I would like each of you to consider the brotherly covenant that Christian and Hopeful enter into and seek the same for yourselves.  What details were involved in this covenant?  We see that the two agreed to have one goal – the advancement of God’s Kingdom and his glory.  We see that godly advice was exchanged between them and that they stirred up one another’s affections as they talked about the God they adored.  They spent time together in Prayer.  They agreed to confront each other with the sin they perceived in each other’s lives – a very much neglected act in Christian fellowships today.