Season 6 Podcast 30 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 58 Chapter XI, “Entering the Celestial City.”

Season 6 Podcast 30 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 58 Chapter XI, “Entering the Celestial City.”

Christian and Hopeful are led with a throng to the gates of the Celestial City. 

“This done, they compassed them round on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, some on the left (as it were to guard them through the upper regions), continually sounding as they went, with melodious noise, in notes on high: so that the very sight was to them that could behold it as if heaven itself was come down to meet them. Thus, therefore, they walked on together; and, as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music, with looks and gestures, still signify to Christian and his brother how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them. And now were these two men as it were in heaven before they came at it, being swallowed up with the sight of angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes. Here also they had the City itself in view, and thought they heard all the bells therein to ring, and welcome them thereto. But, above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there with such company, and that for ever and ever, oh! by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed?”

Following their incredibly long journey which encompassed many temptations. For example.

The City of Destruction,The wicket gate, The Slough of Despond, The Town of Morality. The House of the Interpreter. The Hill of Difficulty, The Palace, The Valley of Humiliation, 

The Valley of the Shadow of Death, Wilderness, Vanity Fair, Town of Fair-speech, Delicate plain called Ease, Little hill, called Lucre, River of the Water of Life, By-path Meadow, A Deep Pit, Doubting Castle, The Delectable Mountains, Hill called Error, Mountain called Caution, By-way to Hell, The Country of Conceit, The town of Apostasy, The town of Sincere, Broad-way Gate, a lane called Dead Man’s Lane, The City of Good-Confidence, The Enchanted Ground, Beulah Land, The Treacherous River, Mount Zion, Celestial City

Christian and Hopeful finally reach the Celestial Gate. Along the long journey they also had encountered many Saints who helped them along the way:

Evangelist, Help, Goodwill who opens the Wicket gate, The Shining Ones, Watchful, The Porter, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, Charity, Faithful, All-Prayer, Moses, the law giver, Christ after suffering on the Cross, The Lord of the Hill, The Shepherds on Delectable, Mountain: Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, Great-Grace, the King’s champion, that dwells in the city of God. Confidence, A Shining One, Two Shining Men

They also met discouragement in the form of.

Obstinate, Pliable, Worldly Wiseman, Mr. Legality, Civility, Man of despair locked in a cage, Simple, Sloth, Presumption, Formalist and Hypocrisy, Timorous and Mistrust, Wanton, Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and Pride of Life, the three daughters of Adam the First, 

Discontent, Pride, Arrogancy, Self-Conceit, and Worldly-Glory, Shame, Talkative, Lord Hate-Good, Envy, Superstition, Pickthank, Lord Old-man, Lord Carnal-Delight, Lord Luxurious, Lord Desire-of-Vain-Glory, Lord Lust, Mr. Blind-man, Mr. No-good, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, Mr. Live-Loose, Mr. Heady, Mr. High-mind, Mr. Enmity, Mr. Liar, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Hate-light, and Mr. Implacable, my Lord Turnabout, my Lord Timeserver, my Lord Fair-speech, Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Anything , Mr. Two-tongues, the parson of our parish, my Lady Feigning's daughter, Mr. hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love, Mr. Save-All, Mr. Gripe-man, Vain-Confidence, Hymeneus and Philetus

Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, The Flatterer, Ignorance.