10. Population of the Celestial City

Christian’s conversation with Neighbor Pliable continues.

CHRISTIAN: There will be no more crying or sorrow; for he who is the owner of that place will wipe all tears from our eyes. (1)

PLIABLE: And what company shall we have there?

CHRISTIAN: There we shall be with the seraphim and cherubim, (2) creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them. There also you shall meet with the thousands and ten thousands that have traveled ahead of us to that place; none of them are unkind, but rather loving and holy, everyone walking in the sight of God and standing in his presence with everlasting acceptance. In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns; (3) there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps. (4) There we shall see men who were, by this present world, cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten by beasts, drowned in the sea, (5) because of the love that they maintained for the Lord of the place, all well, and clothed with the garment of immortality. (6)

PLIABLE: The hearing of this is enough to ravish a person’s heart. But how shall we be able to enjoy and share in these things?

CHRISTIAN: The Lord, the governor of that country, has recorded in this book (7) that, in essence, if we are truly willing to have them, he will bestow them upon us freely. (8)

PLIABLE: Well, my good companion, I am glad to hear of these things; so, come on, let us mend our pace [travel more rapidly].

(1) Isa. 25:8; Rev. 7:16-17; 21:4. (2) Isa. 6:2; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 5:11. (3) Rev. 4:4. (4)Rev. 14:1-5. (5) John 12:25. (6) II Cor. 5:2-5. (7) Isa. 55:12; John 6:37; 7:37; Rev. 21:6; 22:17. (8) Isa. 55:1-7; Rom. 3:24; 5:17; 8:32

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress

1. Christian is revealing to Neighbor Pliable all things he has found in his book (The Bible), do you think you are as faithful in doing that as you could be, or studied enough to do it?

2. Is Pliable ravished in his flesh or in his spirit? What makes you think either way?

3. As you read the scripture references, is this portion of the conversation bringing to light the Biblical significance within the story?

Oh, may we be more faithful to our study of God’s word. That we may be ready and able, in season and out of season to speak the truth in love of God’s wonderful story. The great need of the day is for the Gospel Of Jesus Christ to be spoken into the lives of those around us, with purpose and power, so that none should perish, but come to that saving knowledge found only in Jesus, to the glory of God!