5. Flee From Wrath

Then said Evangelist, “If this is your condition, then why are you standing still?” He answered, “Because I do not know which way to go.” Then Evangelist gave him a parchment scroll (1) on which was written within, “Fly from the wrath to come.” (2) Therefore, the man read the scroll, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, “Which way must I go to escape?” Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger beyond a very large field, “Do you see a Wicket-gate [small gate] (3) over there?” The man replied, “No.” Then he was asked, “Do you see a shining light (4) not quite so far away?” He said, think I do.” Then said Evangelist, “Keep that light before your eye, and go directly toward it, and then you shall see the gate, (5) at which, when you knock, you will be told what you are to do. ” So, I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had not run far from his own door when his wife and children, perceiving his departure, began to cry out to him so that he might return. But the man put his fingers in his ears (6) and ran on crying, “Life, life, eternal life.” (7) So, he did not look behind him, (8) but rather fled toward the middle of the plain.

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress

(1) Conviction of the necessity of flying.

(2) Matt. 3:7.

(3) Matt. 7:13-14. It was usually beside or in a larger gate.

(4) Ps. 119:105; 11Pet. 1:19.

(5) Christ and the way to him cannot be found without the Word.

(6) Luke 14:26.

(7) John 3:16, 36.

(8) Gen. 19:17, cf. v. 26.

1. Why do you think it is that many people know that their souls are in danger, yet do nothing about it?
2. Do you think that the ‘Wicket Gate’ that Evangelist is pointing Christian to is the salvation found in Christ?
3. Was Christian correct in running from the place he was, even when his family was calling out for him to return? What was most important for Christian at the time?

The effectual call of the Gospel upon the heart of a man or woman can be as gentle as feather falling to the ground or as dramatic as a burst of lightning in a thunderstorm. Either way, when the Gospel calls there is the necessity to fly immediately to savior and fall upon Him in full surrender. Our eyes are to be set on Him, the calling of the world shut out from our ears and our feet never turning to go back to the “City of Destruction” of which we had previously resided in. Soli Deo Gloria!!!