Season 6 Podcast 24 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 56 Ch XI C “Two Shining Men.”

Season 6 Podcast 24 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 56 Ch XI C “Two Shining Men.”

In last week’s podcast Christian and Hopeful cross the treacherous river that blocked them from entering into the gates of the Celestial City. This week we meet the Two Shining Men. Their purpose is to lead faithful pilgrims to the Celestial Gate.

“Now, upon the bank of the river, on the other side, they saw the two Shining Men again, who there waited for them. Wherefore, being come out of the river, they saluted them, saying, "We are heavenly spirits, sent forth to help those that shall be heirs of salvation." Thus they went along towards the gate..”

The Shining Men are describe by Paul.

Hebrews 1:13-14

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Paul also defines those who shall be ‘heirs of salvation.”

Galatians 3:29

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Those who suffer with Christ, meaning those who keep his commandments and endure to the end are heirs of salvation. 

Romans 8:17

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

To be glorified with Christ means to shine like the sun.

1 Corinthians 15:40-42

“There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption."

John the Beloved writes. 

1 John 3:2

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

John the Revelator also writes. 

Revelation 21

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

The Lord is speaking of those who endure to the end.

Early in his journey Christian had to climb the Hill Difficulty. It was filled with obstacles. Christian was tempted to take the easier path; however, one of the easier paths was named Danger and the other Destruction. Christian chose the narrow path that led straight up the mountain which was very steep. Two others chose the easier paths and were never heard of again. 

However, in his arduous climb Christian grew tired and sought a comfortable place to rest. He slept too long and lost his daylight hours. To make matters worse, while he was sleeping, his roll fell out of his pocket. The roll, which symbolized The Word of God, was not only essential for guiding him on his journey but it was also his pass to the Celestial City.

Unaware that he had lost his roll, he resumed his climb where he met Timorous and Distrust who were fleeing down the hill. Christian questioned them.

“Sirs, what's the matter? You run the wrong way." Timorous answered that they were going to the city of Zion, and had got up that difficult place: "but," said he, "the farther we go, the more danger we meet with; wherefore we turned, and are going back again."

"Yes," said Mistrust, "for just before us lie a couple of lions in the way, whether sleeping or waking we know not; and we could not think, if we came within reach, but they would presently pull us in pieces.”