Journey of Christian from City of Destruction to the Celestial City

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 Credits
 These Pilgrim’s Progress Presentations are as a result of Bible Studies I did at my home church in Moose
Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. The only thing I ask is that when you use them to present to others, that you
give the Good Lord credit through my name (Michal Lopianowski).
 Τhe version of Pilgrim's Progress I am using is the one by Barry Horner
 Most of the text in the presentations, if it is not sited on the page itself, comes from Barry Horner’s
Commentary on the Pilgrim’s Progress from his website: www.bunyanministries.org
 The comic snippets come from CREATOR ART STUDIO, published by KINGSTONE Comics at
www.kingstonemedia.com
 Any place where I mention Maltese Website as a reference, the material was taken from
www.lavvanztalpellegrin.com; which no longer seems to be working
 Other pictures are from www.garretttaylor.com and illustrations from Mike Wimmer
 As I complete more presentations I will be putting them on line; usually in the winter months

4.  The blaze of grace in the believer’s heart.
 The fireplace is the heart of a true child of God.
 While it previously contained only black and
lifeless embers, now it supports a blazing spiritual
fire, that is the work of grace kindled in that heart
by means of the gospel
 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,”
is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light
of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the
surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not
from ourselves; 2Cor 4:6-7

5.  The assault of the Devil upon the believer’s heart.
 “Many waters cannot quench love,…” Song of S 8:7
 As the enemy of godly enthusiasm, he douses the
lively Christian with all sorts of flame retardants
such as worldiness, fleshly indulgence, etc.
 so as to induce indifference, luke-warmness,
lethargy, slothfulness, etc.
 For all that is in the world, the lust
of the flesh and the lust of the eyes
and the boastful pride of life, is not
from the Father, but is from the
world. 1John 2:16

6.  What Christian perceives at this point is a mystery;
 it is the outward perspective of an inward
confrontation between sin and grace, flesh and
spirit, doubt and faith, in the heart.
 When Satan "buckets" a pilgrim, how does this
Christian ever stand?
 How could Bunyan himself endure unjust imprison-
ment for twelve years while his impoverished
family suffered?
 The fact revealed here is that the grace of God
preserves and even causes triumph in the midst of
seeming tragedy.
 But the "how" of this conquering grace has yet to
be revealed.
 The triumph of grace in the believer’s heart.

8.  Persevering grace
• For a Puritan such as Bunyan, the doctrine of "the
perseverance of the saints" was a cardinal truth
involving both responsible cultivated action and
sovereign preservation.
 12 … work out your salvation with fear
and trembling;
 13 for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good
pleasure. Phil 2:12-13

9.  The secret that is the Oil of Christ.
 The Lord Jesus Christ who, with the oil of his grace, maintains
the work of grace begun in the heart
 … He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through
Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Heb 7:25
 …He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ
Jesus. Phil 1:6
 20 Now the God of peace, …even Jesus our Lord,
21 equip you in every good thing to do His will,
working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,...
Heb 13:20-21
 …To those who are the called, beloved in God the
Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: Jude 1:1

10.  The secret that is difficult to comprehend.
 The intensity of the conflict, the attempts of Satan “to sift us as wheat”
(Luke 22:31),
 the wrestling against “the world forces of this darkness, against the
spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12),
 tends to obscure the greater potency of the oil of grace, through
 the intercession of Christ, "but I have prayed for you, that your faith may
not fail …" (Luke 22:32),
 the endowment of grace gifts (I Cor. 12; Put on the full armor of God, so
that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Eph.
6:11).
 Zech 4:11-14

11. • The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah
recount the rebuilding of the temple
under Zerubbabel
• Two olive trees were seen, from
which oil flowed into the bowl without
ceasing.
• This represented the abundance of
Divine grace which cannot be
procured or prevented by any human
power.
• The vision assures us that the good
work of building the temple, should
be brought to a happy end.
From Matthew Henry's CommentaryFrom Matthew Henry's Commentary

12. • The difficulty is represented as a
great mountain. Faith will remove
mountains, and make them plains.
• Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains
of difficulty were in the way of his
undertaking, but nothing is too hard
for him.
• Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view
Him carrying on his work according to
his own glorious plan, and daily
bringing his spiritual building (the
church) nearer to completion.
From Matthew Henry's CommentaryFrom Matthew Henry's Commentary

13. • Zechariah desires to know what are
the two olive trees.
• Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince
and this priest, were endued with the
gifts and graces of God's Spirit; both
were instruments in the work and
service of God.
• Christ's offices of King and Priest
were shadowed forth by them.
• From Christ the Olive Tree, by the
Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden
oil of grace flows to believers, which
keeps our lamps burning.
From Matthew Henry's CommentaryFrom Matthew Henry's Commentary

14. • Zechariah is not satisfied with
answer:
 Then I said to the angel who
was speaking with me saying,
“What are these, my lord?”
Zech 4:4
 So he answered me, saying,
“Do you not know what these
are?” And I said, “No, my
lord.” Zech 4:13

15. • Right after Unpardonable Sin
 But He (Jesus) answered and said to them,
 "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a
sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the
sign of Jonah the prophet;" Matt 12:39
• Three Resurrections
 Lazarus (John 11)
 Jesus Himself (End Gospels to end of Acts 7)
 The Two Witnesses (Rev 11)
 Rev 11:13
 Matt 23:37-39
 Rom 11:25-27

16. • Salvation is by grace alone:
 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ…” Acts 15:11
• After salvation, believers must continue to live in the grace of God:
 “…Paul and Barnabas, who speaking to them, were urging them to continue in
the grace of God” Acts 13:43
• We are commanded to grow in grace:
 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” II Peter 3:18
• Dallas Willard corrects the mistaken notion that grace is only for the
forgiveness of sins:
 “The sinner is not the one who uses a lot of grace; the saint uses more grace.
The saint burns grace like a 747 burns fuel on takeoff, because everything
they do is a manifestation of grace.”

19.  Bunyan frequently portrays his
pilgrim as obtaining fleeting glimpses
of the distant Celestial City at the end
of the way.
• It is intended to convey great
motivation for enduring to the end.
• Christian is eager to "go inside"
• However, the entrance req'ts will
ultimately distinguish between the
false and the true pilgrims.

20. • Restless, hesitant men.
• Desirous of entering the palace and yet, in counting the cost, are
fearful of making a bold and offensive entrance.
• A man at a table with a book and pen, seeking committed palace
entrants who will have the courage to register their intention.

21. • In the palace doorway a garrison of fierce, unholy
combatants in armour who are determined to
restrain anyone who attempts to gain entrance.

22. • Notice the registrar didn’t have to ask him what his name was! …
• Our names are already known to the King!
 "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you
are Mine!" Isa 43:1
• The same man drew his sword, put a helmet on his head, and
rushed toward the palace door with the men standing in the way.
• One man, very resolute
in appearance, strides
up to the man at the
desk and ask of him,
“Sir, set down my name.”

23. • So the valiant entrant
found himself opposed
with deadly force;
• yet he was not
discouraged, and
consequently applied
himself to fierce cutting
and hacking of his
opponents.

24. • He both received and gave many wounds to his
enemies; nevertheless this courageous man cut
his way through

25. • so that he eventually gained entrance into the palace.

26. • Then those inside, and especially three
at the top, cried out with a joyous
chorus of welcome,
Come in, come in,
Eternal Glory you shall win
• So he went in and was clothed with
garments similar to those being worn by
the citizens of the palace.

27. • The Holy Spirit interprets to the pilgrim the cost of a godly life.
• The similitude shows the spirit and disposition of a soul who is
determined to win Christ, and to enjoy the kingdom of glory.
• It is designed to show to the Pilgrim, what we have already
endeavored to point out in the context of the "Wicket-gate" –
in other words, striving.
 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to
enter and will not be able." Luke 13:24
• Many desire the joys and glories of heaven, according to their
carnal ideas of them, but few are willing to fight the good fight
of faith.

28. • The man sitting at a table is seeking for committed palace entrants who
will have the courage.
 7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, … 8 “But for the cowardly and
unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and
sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with
fire…” Rev 21:7-8
• The "cowardly" stand in contrast with those who "overcome!"
• They are fearful in "counting the costs"

32. • Rare is the man or woman who is not interested in entering heaven.
• Many start out on pilgrimage, such as a Pliable, Timorous and Mistrust.
 But comparatively few arrive.
• Some may enter the narrow way with the offering of life at its end, there is
initial enthusiasm
 20 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who
hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root
in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises
because of the word, immediately he falls away. Matt 13:20-21
• but,
 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are
few who find it. Matt 7:14

33. • The valiant man dons his helmet and
drawns his sword
 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Eph 6:17
• Makes a frontal attack so that he might, at
all costs, gain entrance.
• Committed to the point of using violence
and force
 … the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and
violent men take it by force. Matt 11:12
• Spiritual zealots

34. • The conflict is fierce and
protracted involving
much cut and thrust
 .. strengthening the souls of
the disciples, encouraging
them to continue in the faith,
and saying, “Through many
tribulations we must enter
the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22

36. • Rev 2:7 To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the
Paradise of God.
• Rev 2:11 He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
• Rev 2:17 To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna …
• Rev 2:26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL
GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS
• Rev 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments …
• Rev 3:12 ‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, …
• Rev 3:21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I
also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
• Rev 17:14 “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them,
because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called
and chosen and faithful.”
• Rev 21:7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be
My son.

37. • Eventually gains entrance
• The three at the top are:
 Enoch, Moses and Elijah

38. 22 And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching,
and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to Him, “Lord,
are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to
enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not
be able. 25 “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you
begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’
then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26
“Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You
taught in our streets’; 27 and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are
from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ 28 “In that place there will
be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. 29
“And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will
recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 “And behold, some are last who
will be first and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:22-30

40. • So here the phrase "strive to enter" means that entering is a battle.
• Entering what? – The Kingdom of God. This is plain from the context.
• But what does Jesus want us to strive against?
• If life is war, who is the enemy?
• It is primarily our own sin that can keep us from entering the kingdom.
• We must strive even to stand still, the tide of temptation is so strong.
• Therefore the command to "watch" is one of his most frequent
commands. The idea is that we must be awake and alert and ready,
lest the temptations of life take us off guard and we be overcome and
ruined.
• So striving to enter through the narrow door is a lifelong, all-day,
every-day calling.
From "In Our Joy" – John PiperFrom "In Our Joy" – John Piper

41. • Last verse of the Parable of the Ten Virgins is
 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Matt 25:13 (ESV)
• But all ten of the virgins were asleep, including the five
wise virgins.
• That’s how we know that when Jesus says, "Watch!"
he does not mean skip sleep and look out the window.
• He means, be watchful over your life. Be watchful over
what the Bridegroom has called you to do.
• The wise virgins had done the will of the Master: Their
lamps were ready. Sleeping was just fine because
they had done their jobs.
• Therefore, one way to describe "striving to enter
through the narrow door" is: "Fulfill your calling. Be
vigilant to do what God has called you to do."
From "In Our Joy" – John PiperFrom "In Our Joy" – John Piper

42. • You will be happy if Jesus comes and finds you heartily
engaged in your earthly calling for his glory, but not like the
unbelievers:
 37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the
ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them
all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matt 24:37-39
• Striving to enter through the narrow door means taking heed
to the warning of Jesus:
 "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the
kingdom of God" Luke 9:62.
From "In Our Joy" – John PiperFrom "In Our Joy" – John Piper

43. • The question must now be asked: Is all this vigilance and all this
striving to enter through the narrow door consistent with the sweet
invitations of Jesus to come to Him and find rest?
• What makes the demands of Jesus to strive and to be vigilant seem
burdensome is the assumption that we are left to ourselves.
• Remember the "Oil of His Grace"
• Which means our striving to "enter through the narrow door" is done
in the power of the kingdom that we have received as a free gift.
• "… the kingdom of God is in your midst." Luke 17:21
• Paradoxically, we strive to enter the kingdom from inside kingdom.
Strive to enter, for you have entered.
From "In Our Joy" – John PiperFrom "In Our Joy" – John Piper

44. • The present power of the kingdom is here, and we have entered
into that power by faith, even though the consummation of the
kingdom is still future.
• The battle is not to do what we don’t want, but to want what is
infinitely worthy of wanting.
• The fight is not the oppressive struggle to earn God’s final rest, but
the satisfying struggle to rest in the peace that Jesus freely gives.
 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"
Matt. 11:28-30
• The demands of Jesus are only as hard to obey as his promises
are hard to cherish and his presence is hard to treasure.

45. • 'Strive' is synonymous with several other terms …
 It is expressed by that word, ‘so run that ye may obtain’ (I Cor.
9:24-25).
 It is expressed by that word, ‘Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold
on eternal life’ (I Tim. 6:12).
 It is expressed by that word, ‘Labour not for the meat which
perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life’
(John 6:27).
 It is expressed by that word, ‘We wrestle … with principalities
and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world’ (Eph.
6:12).