The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 2 (Part 4)

Let’s finish this!  We continue, like any other impatient Christian, to get through to the end of Chapter 2, so we can begin the rest of this journey.  After Christian arrives at the Interpreter’s house, he tells him that Good-Will sent him to the house to be shown excellent things to help him on his journey.

The Interpreter agrees to show those things that will be profitable to Christian. Beginning with a picture, hanging on a wall, of a very grave person – a man with eyes lifted up to Heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth written upon his lips, and the world behind his back. He stood as if pleading with men, and a crown of gold hung over his head.

Then said Christian, “What does it mean?” (I try to guess myself, but yeah, I’ll wait for the Interpreter to explain as well 😉)

Interpreter: The man in this picture represents one of a thousand: he can conceive children, travail in birth with children, and nurse them himself when they are born. You see him with his eyes lifted up… the best of books… the law of truth… all this is to show you that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners. You see him pleading with men, the world cast behind him, and a crown… to show you that by rejecting and despising the things of this present world for the love that he has for his Master’s service, he is sure to have glory as his reward in the world to come.

I show you this first, because the man whom it represents is the only man authorized by the Lord to be your guide in all the difficult places you will encounter. So pay attention and keep this picture foremost in your mind: if you meet with someone who doesn’t resemble this picture’s likeness but who pretends to lead you in the right way, you will not follow him down to destruction.

(I still can’t believe this was written 400 years ago in a prison cell. I am ashamed… amazed… at how little Bible knowledge we modern superstars have! From 1 Corinthians 4:15 and Galatians 4:19, I’m guessing this picture is of Paul. I’m just beginning to grasp the writing style of Paul’s epistle letters… so much theology explained. His letters are easier to read if you look for his usual patters…. [THIS, THIS, AND THIS] IS TRUE… SO [DO THIS]. Of course, Paul would be just one of the New Testament writers and only one of the apostles to put the world behind them and carry the love of their Master’s service to the end of their days.)

---

Then, the Interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him into a very large parlor that was full of dust because it was never swept. (Ugh, I hate dusting, and I know I’m not going to enjoy reading this one either. 😥)

After He reviewed it for awhile, the Interpreter called for a man to come and sweep. This only made the dust fly around so thick that Christian almost choked. The Interpreter asked a nearby damsel to ‘Bring water and sprinkle the room’. When she had done as requested, it was swept and cleansed very pleasantly.

Then Christian (and I) asked, “What does this mean?”

Interpreter: This parlor is the heart of a man that has never been sanctified by the sweet grace of the gospel: the dust is his original sin and inward corruptions that have defiled the whole man. The first man that began to sweep is the Law; the damsel that sprinkled the water is the gospel…. the Law, instead of cleansing the heart from sin, actually revives, increases, and adds strength to it. Even though the Law uncovers and forbids sin, it is powerless to conquer or subdue it at all.

Then you saw the damsel sprinkle the room with water, after which it was pleasingly cleansed. This shows how sin is vanquished and subdued and the soul made clean through faith and consequently fit for the King of Glory to inhabit.

(I love this picture… Its Psalm 51. We’d sing this in church… Create in me a clean heart, O God… Remove this heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh… Do not harden your heart… so many references and warnings from the Old Testament. That nasty dust in there, may or may not be your fault… it doesn’t matter. But after hearing the Gospel, leaving that dust in there is! I also love that the Interpreter is giving Christian this picture, while he is still burdened. He has not gone to the cross yet.)

---

Next Christian is led into a room where there sat two little children, each one in his own chair: the older child was named Passion, the younger was Patience. (Yeah, we know where this is going and already we don’t like it!!! 🤣) Passion seemed to be very discontent, but Patience was very quiet. Christian wondered about the reason for Passion’s discontentment.

The Interpreter explains: Their Guardian would have them wait for their best things until the beginning of the next year. Passion wants it all now, but Patience is willing to wait.

Someone enters the room and brings a bag of treasure and pours it at Passion’s feet. He rejoices and laughs Patience to scorn. In a short time, all the treasure either rusts or turns to rags. Christian asks for more details. (Thanks, I was embarrassed to raise my hand.)

Interpreter: these two lads are figures: Passion, of the men of this world, and Patience, of the men of that world which is to come. Passion wanted to have all the good things now, this year, in this world, and cannot wait for their portion of good in the next world.

Christian: Now I see that patience was the wisest for several reasons: first, because he waited for the best things: second, because he will have the glory of his reward when the other has nothing but rags.

Interpreter: Yes, and you may add another reason, which is that the glory of the next world will never wear out… in the end Patience will laugh at Passion because Patience will have his best things last; for first must give place to last. The last things will finally come, and when they do, nothing will succeed or replace them. He that has his good things in this world spends and uses them up in time, but he that has his good things last has them lastingly, for the last things go on forever. (The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:25. Not sure I agree with Patience laughing at Passion??? In the Parable, I’m not even sure Lazarus can see The Rich Man… after suffering as much as he did, I kinda hope Lazarus doesn’t even remember the Rich Man, just enjoys his meals with Abraham, without any dogs licking his sores!)

Christian: Now I perceive that it is not best to covet things that are in the here and now, but to wait for things to come.

Interpreter: You speak truly, for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal… the things that are present are close neighbors with our appetites… most men will not ignore the present world that they can see in order to make the world they cannot see the object of their desires.

---

Next, the Interpreter led Christian by the hand into a room where there was a fireplace. The flames from the fireplace grew larger and hotter even though there was someone continually throwing water on it to try to quench it.

Christian said, “What does this mean?”

Interpreter: This fire is the work of grace that God accomplishes in the heart; he who throws water on the flames to try to extinguish it is the Devil. But as you see, the fire burns higher and hotter despite his efforts to put it out. Now let me show you the reason for that. (He leads Christian to the other side of the wall where he saw a Man with a vessel of oil in His hand, from which He secretly funneled oil into the fire.)

Christian said, “What does this mean?”

Interpreter: This is Christ with the oil of His grace who continually maintains the work already begun in the heart, no matter what the Devil tries to do… the Man stands behind the wall to teach you that it is hard to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul for the one being tempted.

---

After this the Interpreter took Christian and led him to a pleasant place where a there was a palace, beautiful to behold. There were people clothed in gold walking on top of the thick palace walls. Christian was delighted and asked to go into the palace. Interpreter took him and led him up toward the door of the palace where Christian saw a great company of men standing at the palace door, all desiring to go in, but few daring to.

A short distance away a man sat at a table with a book open before him, writing the names of those who wished to enter the palace. There were also many armed men who were determined to inflict many injuries and wounds as they could on anyone trying to enter the palace. Christian was amazed. After every man retreated back for fear of the armed men, he saw a very determined man approach the table and say, “Set down my name, sir”.

As soon as his name was written, Christian saw the man draw his sword, put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the armed men at the door, who tried to stop him with deadly force. But the man , not at all discouraged, began cutting and hacking most fiercely at his attackers…. he had received and given many wounds to those who attempted to keep him out, but he cut his way through and pressed forward into the palace.

Those inside the palace and those who walked on top of the thick palace walls were saying, “Come in, come in; eternal glory you shall win.” The man went in and was clothed in gold.

Christian: I think I know what this means, and I think it is time for me to continue my journey.

Interpreter: No. Stay until I have shown you a little more.

🤣 (Come on Christian, I was counting on you to ask for more details!!!)

---

He took Christian by the hand and led him into a very dark room where a man sat in an iron cage. The man in the cage was very sad.

Christian: What does this mean?

Interpreter: Talk to the man. (Uh, oh… last time, Christian didn’t ask the Interpreter ‘what does this mean’, but instead thinks he knows what it means. Now Christian goes back to asking for meaning from the Interpreter, and the Interpreter tells him to ask the man! Subtle, I never noticed this before. Brilliant writing considering where this story is going.)

Christian: Who are you?

The Man: I am not who I used to be.

Christian: Who did you used to be?

The Man: I was once fair and flourishing in my profession of faith, both in my own eyes and also in the eyes of others. I was, I once thought, deserving of the Celestial city and was full of joy as I considered going there.

Christian: Well, who are you now?

The Man: I am now a man of despair, and it surrounds me as does this iron cage. I cannot get out.

Christian: But how did you come to be in this condition?

The Man: I stopped being watchful and diligent. I rushed after my own lusts. I sinned against the light of the Word and the goodness of God. I have grieved the Spirit, and He is gone. I tempted the Devil, and he has come to me. I have provoked God to anger, and He has left me. I have so hardened my heart that I cannot repent.

Christian to Interpreter: Is there no hope for such a man as this?

Interpreter to Christian: Ask him.

(I told you, this is brilliant. 🤣)

Christian: Is there no hope? Must you be kept in the iron cage of despair?

The Man: No hope, none at all. I have crucified Him to myself afresh, I have despised His person; i have despised His righteousness; I have counted His blood an unholy thing; I have insulted the Spirit of grace. Therefore, I have shut myself out of all the promises.

Christian: How did you bring yourself into this condition?

The Man: I promised myself much delight from the lusts, pleasures, and the profits of this world. But now every one of those things wounds me and gnaws at me like a burning worm.

Christian: Can’t you even now repent and turn away from those things?

The Man: God has denied me repentance, His Word gives me no encouragement to believe. He Himself has shut me up in this iron cage, and all the men in the world do not have the power to let me out. O eternity! Eternity! How will I deal with the misery that waits for me in eternity?

Interpreter to Christian: Remember this man’s misery, and let it be an everlasting caution to you.

Christian: Well, this is fearful! May God help me to watch and be sober and pray, that I may avoid the cause of this man’s misery! But, sir, isn’t it time for me to go on my way? (🤦🏻‍♀️Well, at least he asked this time!)

Interpreter: Stay until I show you one more thing and then you may go on your way.

---

So he took Christian by the hand again and led him into a chamber, where there was a man getting out of bed; and as he dressed himself, he shook and trembled.

Christian to Interpreter: Why does the man tremble?

The Interpreter then called the man over and told him to tell Christian the reason for his trembling.

The man told Christian about a dream he’d had where he saw the heavens grow pitch-black and he heard and saw terrible thunder and lightning. The clouds were rolling with an unusual rate of speed and a great sound of a trumpet was hear. He was a Man sitting upon a great cloud, attended by thousands from Heaven… he heard, ‘Arise, you that are dead, and come to judgment.’ Rocks split, graves opened, and the dead came out. Some of them were extremely glad and look upward, others tried to hide themselves under the mountains for fear. The the Man opened a book and bid the world come near. He called to the heavenly host that attended Him, ‘Gather together the tares, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake. ‘

And immediately the bottomless pit opened, just where I stood.

Then I heard the Man, ‘Gather My wheat into my barn.’ And with that I saw many people caught up and carried away into the clouds, but I was left behind. I tried to hid myself, but I could not, for the Man kept his eye upon me; my sins also came into my mind, and my conscience accused me without mercy. Then I work from my sleep.

Christian: But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?

The Man: I thought the Day of Judgment was come and that I was not ready for it…

Interpreter: Keep all these things in your mind as constant encouragement and warning as you journey on ahead to the Celestial City.

So Christian went on his way, saying, “Here I have seen things rare and profitable, things pleasant and dreadful, things to give me stability and wisdom to deal with my tasks at hand. For showing me what I need to understand for the journey ahead, I thank You, good Interpreter.”

---

Thoughts for Consideration: Ok, so the Interpreter is the Holy Spirit, right? That deposit we get when we believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! (See 2 Corinthians 1:22 Ephesians 1:14). This Spirit is the one to open our eyes and ears to the things of God and to the Word of God. This is the Spirit that makes us realize we have been walking around Spiritually Blind and Deaf! Well, what I’m seeing in this section is that it is BETTER to ask the Spirit, ‘What does this mean?’ than to think, ‘I know what this means.’ The iron cage guy? I thought about the ‘do not grieve the Holy Spirit’ verses Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19, but neither of those were on the reference list in the book. 🤔 I’m guessing the Hebrews 10:28-29 was the key verse for this section.

I think every teacher and pastor I’ve heard has difficulty with this ‘ Do Not Grieve the Spirit’ concept. I’ve heard, ‘if you’re concerned about it, it doesn’t apply!‘ That sounds great, but is it true? It is kind of a serious warning. I love how the Interpreter doesn’t show this to Christian until after he sees the victorious guy enter the castle and Christian thinks… ‘I know what this means, I got this, I’m ready to go!‘ And the Interpreter just says, ‘No’. Then shows him this doozy… dang it.

I guess we do what James says… Anyone who lacks wisdom should ask for it. But don’t go double-minded. Double-minded folks, get nothing. (Ok, James says it better. 😘)

This section may seem long or not long enough. But I just noticed that in a beautiful nod to Scripture, this author shows seven profitable things to Christian for his journey. Nice!

Scripture References:

1 Corinthians 4:15	Galatians 4:19	Romans 7:6	1 Corinthians 15:56
Romans 5:20	John 15:3	Ephesians 5:26	Acts 15:9
Romans 16:25-26	John 15:13	Luke 16:25	2 Corinthians 4:18
2 Corinthians 12:9	Acts 14:22	Luke 8:13	Hebrews 6:6
Luke 19:14	Hebrews 10:28-29	1 Corinthians 15:52	1 Thessalonians 4:16
Jude 14	John 5:28-29	2 Thessalonians 1:7-8	Revelation 20:11-14
Isaiah 26:21	Micah 7:16-17	Psalm 95:1-3	Daniel 10:7
Malachi 3:2-3	Daniel 7:9-10	Matthew 3:12	Matthew 13:30
Malachi 4:1	Luke 3:17	1 Thessalonians 4:16-17	Romans 2:14-15