Lesson 2 Through the gate to a meeting with the interpreter

Lesson 2

The Pilgrim Enters the gate

1.       When Christian gets to the gate, Mr. Goodwill asks three questions: Who are you, where did you come from and where are you going?  Christian answers: “I’m a poor burdened sinner.  I’ve come from the City of Destruction, but I’m going to Mount Zion so I can be delivered from the wrath to come”.  What are the important implications of his answers?

2.       In discussing Pliable with Goodwill, Christian makes the comment, “it seems there isn’t any difference between him and me”.  What does this statement show about the condition of Christian’s heart?

The Pilgrim Meets the Interpreter

3.       What is represented by the Parlor that Christian is invited into covered in dust?

4.       What is represented by the two little children?

5.       What is represented by the fire burning against the wall with the man pouring water on it?

6.       What is represented by the stately palace?

7.       After illustrating several times in this book that heaven is not gained by good works, what then is the meaning behind the “man of stout countenance”.  Compare with Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”.   Or John 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John.  Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it”.  What are some indications that his was not a works salvation?  How does that match up to Ephesians 6:14-17 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

8.      What is represented by the dark room and the man in the iron cage?

9.      Is repentance something we produce, or is it something God gives us?

Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

2 Timothy 2:24-25 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, …

Acts 11:18 “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.””

Acts 5:31 “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

10.   What is represented by the man rising out of bed?

Week 2 Summary

For today’s summary I will read an excerpt from the writings of Alexander Whyte on the Narrow way:

There are many wide ways to hell, and many there be who crowd them, but there is only one way to heaven, and you will sometimes think you must have gone off it, there are so few companions; sometimes there will be only one footprint, with here and there a stream of blood, and always as you proceed, it becomes more and more narrow, till it strips a man bare, and sometimes threatens to close upon him and crush him to the earth altogether.  Our Lord in as many words tells us all that.  Strive, He says, strive every day.  For many shall seek to enter into the way of salvation, but because they do not early enough, and long enough, and painfully enough strive, they come short, and are shut out.  Have you, then, anything in your religious life that Christ will at last accept as the striving He intended and demanded?  Does your religion cause you any real effort – Christ calls it agony?  Have you ever had, do you ever have, anything that He would so describe?  What cross do you every day take up?  In what thing do you every day deny yourself?  Name it.  Put your finger on it.  Write it in cipher on the margin of your Bible.  Would the most liberal judgment be able to say of you that you have any fear and trembling in the work of your salvation?  If not, I am afraid there must be some mistake somewhere.  Christ has made it plain to a proverb, and John Bunyan has made it a nursery and schoolboy story, that the way to heaven is steep and narrow and lonely and perilous. (First Series, p 70)