Pope and Pagan

Journey to the Celestial City #41. In our continuing look at John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” today we find the man, Christian, finally (and thankfully) arriving at the end of the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Here he discovers the “blood, bones, ashes, and mingled bodies of men, even of pilgrims” that have gone before. It is at the hands of the two giants who live in this part of the Valley (named “Pope” and “Pagan”) that a miserable end has been made of a great many. And there really is nothing to sustain a person in the dark trial via “Religion” or the “World.” These two belief systems have no power; they afford no peace; they allow from pain no relief. “Religion” offers much in duty and ritual sacrifice that gives a sense of righteousness; the “World” offers much in pleasure and material gain which gives a sense of “having it all together.” But these are only temporary statuses. Once again, the dark trial brings the illusion to light. “‘And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.'” (Matthew 7:26-27) “But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in Him.” (Hebrews 10:39) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to “Pilgrim’s Progress Series” in the left sidebar.) pp 57-58