Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Priorities...
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35 KJV
Friday, January 18, 2013
God gives us grace and strength for all and any temptions
1 Corinthians 10:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
DISCERNMENT: 1 John 2
1 John 2
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
King James Version (KJV)
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Reserved for 1, and 1 Alone- by Jack Hyles
The Holy Spirit and the Opposite Sex
(Chapter 20 from Dr. Hyle's excellent book, Meet The Holy Spirit)
I Corinthians 6:19, 20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost Which is in you, Which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's"
I Corinthians 3:16, 17, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
II Corinthians 6:16, "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
The most sacred place on earth to the Jew was the temple. The most sacred place in the temple was the holy of holies. Now the building itself was not sacred. It was made so by something within the holy of holies. This was the Shekinah Glory, representing the presence of God with His people. This Glory hovered over the mercy seat.
CONTINUE READING HERE!
Have you been called DARLING, lately?
If you haven't maybe you're not listening to the right people...
Because Yahweh outstretches His hand to us, saying:
1 John 2:1
King James Version (KJV)
2 My little (DARLING) children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Many translations have made it dear- which while sweet- is not as emphatic as DARLING.
I'd rather be a darling!!
BJB
Tree of Life
Revelation 22
Revelation 22
King James Version (KJV)
22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
GOT TRUTH? NO Greater JOY than to hear that My Children walk in TRUTH
We all know you can type anything into the google search bar and get ANY angle ANY side. How can we have any verity these days, you may ask.
HIS HOLY WORD!
The best way to get going on it is listening- play it softly as you sleep- in the background- even if you think you're not concentrating- ask the Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh to give you discernment.
And He WILL make known His TRUTH to you!
Eph 5: 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
START With these:
1, 2, &3 JOHN (Simple and Beautiful to understand- TRUTH!)
EPHISIANS
You'll be surprised how FAST time flies when someone else is reading aloud. :D
COMIN'- Original Lyrics by BJB
It's about that time
You're a-callin' me
Gotta run- gotta see-
What you have to impart to me
Share your enlightening words
Give me truth
In a world full of darkness
Must have a new start
And words flow out
From me
Light is blinding
And its where I want to be!
You take care of the details
I follow- happily
Free at last
From the fears that haunted all of me
Because you're a-callin' me
Not just in a blue moon-
But daily-
A-callin' on me.
Soul, Vessel, Whole! ORIGINAL LYRICS by BJB
Bent over- am I supposed follow such crazy thoughts
Is this really what it means
So much untruth
O Lordy, where's the blessed light?
Take it's crown, to be a vessel?
Make an altar, lay it down?
So that I will be able to radiate
Pure light
Permanence- You'll stay with me,
Once lit- all around shall see
What beauty
In such a huge rooted tree
It's shelters all of me
I'll attest to that lovin' way
Fallin down just to pray
Headed higher
To the Peak
When I come back down
All shall see
Signifies growth- but it doesn't come easy
Paying a price for such lovely beauty
Following the deer
Leading me
Such symbolism
Most can't see
I buried your the written words
But carry your truth
Teach me now
Gotta make a vessel outta me
-Bethany Joy Sturrock Barnhart
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Meditate Definition
KJV Dictionary Definition: meditate
meditate
MED'ITATE, v.i. L. meditor.
1. To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of the great truths of religion.
His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps.1.
2. To intend; to have in contemplation.
I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed repose.
MED'ITATE, v.t. To plan by revolving in the mind; to contrive; to intend.
Some affirmed that I meditated a war.
1. To think on; to revolve in the mind.
Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things.
meditated
MED'ITATED, pp. Planned; contrived.
Meditation: Better sleep, more Efficiency, Focused... Sound good?
My Momma told me the other day, my Grammie would say "Can't sleep? Don't count sheep! Talk to the Shepherd."
1 Timothy 4:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Psalms 119: 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, (GROUNDED< BALANCED< ROOTED <FOCUSED- Tell me who doesn't want that?) that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Interested? Here's a LINK for more :D
Psalms: The in-depth look, Jack Hyles
The Story Behind The Psalms |
by Dr. Jack Hyles |
PREFACE
There are three books in the Bible from which I read every day—the Psalms, the Proverbs and the book of Acts. I read the Psalms for love, the Proverbs for wisdom and the book of Acts for power. These three things—love, wisdom and power have for years been on the top of my prayer list.
One day while meditating on one of the Psalms, I found myself wondering where the author was when he wrote it, what the circumstances were surrounding its writing and what exactly prompted the author to compose such a masterpiece. I fled to the library of my memory and the refuge of my commentaries until my temporary search became long research. This venture was so enjoyable that I traveled the historical path of another Psalm, then another, then another, which soon led to a series of Bible studies at the First Baptist Church of Hammond on the conditions and circumstances surrounding the writing of each of the Psalms. It makes our study richer as we stand beside the author as he writes and as we feel his heartbeat, watch his tears, enjoy his laughter and join in his praise.
May the author beg scholastic mercy of the reader. The following words were not penned to be examined by the microscope of the scholar but rather to be enjoyed by the study of the saint.
With lovingkindness, a prayerful spirit and a desire to bless, let me lead you into the Psalms, the songbook of Israel, that we together may enjoy the stories behind the Psalms.
|
Praying Cleansing, Protection, & Fulness of the Spirit
Praying for cleansing, healing, protection, & FILLING of the Holy Spirit.
This has really helped me- a basic outline:
Empty out, guard with God's fence of protection, and then FILL UP!
Cleanse
Through the power of the loving sacrifice of the Lamb of God. I'm a very visual person, so I imagine his blood stream down me and cleansing me like a shower"
Banish/Cast out:
Devils, evil, fears, obsessions darkness, whatever HAUNTS you in the name of our LORD (Master) and Saviour Jesus Christ banish it/them.
Surround yourself with a Hedge of protection
I imagine a thicket of thorns.
Then, now that you've emptied out and built a fence for protection, to keep they evil out for good!
Then you must fill up with Goodness!
FILL YOURSELF WITH YAHWEH! "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
This has really helped me- a basic outline:
Empty out, guard with God's fence of protection, and then FILL UP!
Cleanse
Through the power of the loving sacrifice of the Lamb of God. I'm a very visual person, so I imagine his blood stream down me and cleansing me like a shower"
Banish/Cast out:
Devils, evil, fears, obsessions darkness, whatever HAUNTS you in the name of our LORD (Master) and Saviour Jesus Christ banish it/them.
Surround yourself with a Hedge of protection
I imagine a thicket of thorns.
Courtesy of Umphreys Mcgee's album art
Then, now that you've emptied out and built a fence for protection, to keep they evil out for good!
Then you must fill up with Goodness!
FILL YOURSELF WITH YAHWEH! "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
Ephesians 3:19
-BJB
-BJB
What's in a Name? YAHWEH
YAHWEH
| |
Meaning & History
A name of the Hebrew God, represented in Hebrew by the tetragrammaton ("four letters") יהוה (Yod Heh Vav Heh), transliterated into Roman script Y H W H. Because it was considered blasphemous to utter the name of God it was only written and never spoken. This resulted in the original pronunciation being lost. The name may have originally been derived from the old Semitic root הוה (hawah) meaning "to be" or "to become".
Related Names
 | |
Feeling fearful? Anxiety? Missing sense of Purpose?
Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 3: 11-12:
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Our confidence- purpose comes from the one True Creator!
Feeling RESTLESS & Confused?
Have you considered if someone wants to get a hold of you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNpBahr49mA
TRUTH and Living
John 14:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
YAHWEH- LIGHT OF THIS DARK WORLD
It says ahavah which means love.
[Image description: A Caucasian-appearing forearm is shown with four letters in Hebrew block letters tattooed onto it in black. Red finger nail polish can also be seen. Tattoo text: “Ahavah” (but in Hebrew script). Means “love” in Modern Hebrew.]
Hey, look. A Hebrew tattoo that’s actually accurate.
Block letters: Aleph, hey, veht, hey = love.
FEELING ALIVE ONCE AGAIN: Foods from our Creator
By: Bethany Joy Sturrock Barnhart
We are meant to eat, clean, real, whole foods. Created by our Creator. Satan 's battle for souls is now killing us through what we ingest, through modified- distorted- twisted foods- with no nutrition.
Also check out my food blog:
http://frugalfreshfeastonthefly.weebly.com/home.html
Articles on blessing foods:
http://jcstudies.com/articleDetail.cfm?articleId=40
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Blessing-Food/
If you want healing, understanding, and the Master's power, consume as much real food as possible
8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
(You'll always have those who- believe you will not have enough nutrition. Politely & breifly explain, why and how- this diet works)
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, ..12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 ¶ As for these four children, (We are our Father's dear children) God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnez'zar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and Azari'ah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
"Let there be light" יְהִי אוֹר (yehiy 'or)
God's original diet for mankind: The Hallelujah Diet:
http://www.hacres.com/hallelujah-diet
Bible Diet
http://www.planetpace.com/?bible-diet-foods,34
http://www.planetpace.com/?daniel-diet-foods,45
http://www.danielsdiet.com/daniels_diet.htm
http://www.danielsdiet.com/
1 Sam 9:13 " BECAUSE HE DOTH BLESS THE SACRIFRICE."
"and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."
Matthew 15:32
Psalms121:1-2: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Pilgrim's Progress- OUR WALK WITH GOD IN THIS WORLD
The Pilgrim's Progress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Kula Shaker album, see Pilgrims Progress (album).
| The Pilgrim's Progress | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Author(s) | John Bunyan |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Religious allegory |
| Publication date | 1678 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 191 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan and published in February, 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature,[1][2][3][4] has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print.[5][6] Bunyan began his work while in the Bedfordshire county gaol for violations of theConventicle Act, which prohibited the holding of religious services outside the auspices of the established Church of England. Early Bunyan scholars like John Brown believed The Pilgrim's Progress was begun in Bunyan's second shorter imprisonment for six months in 1675,[7] but more recent scholars like Roger Sharrock believe that it was begun during Bunyan's initial, more lengthy imprisonment from 1660–72 right after he had written his spiritual autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.[8]
The English text comprises 108,260 words and is divided into two parts, each reading as a continuous narrative with no chapter divisions. The first part was completed in 1677 and entered into the stationers' register on 22 December 1677. It was licensed and entered in the "Term Catalogue" on 18 February 1678, which is looked upon as the date of first publication.[9] After the first edition of the first part in 1678, an expanded edition, with additions written after Bunyan was freed, appeared in 1679. The Second Part appeared in 1684. There were eleven editions of the first part in John Bunyan's lifetime, published in successive years from 1678 to 1685 and in 1688, and there were two editions of the second part, published in 1684 and 1686.
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Plot
[edit]First Part
Christian, an everyman character, is the protagonist of the allegory, which centres itself in his journey from his hometown, the "City of Destruction" ("this world"), to the "Celestial City" ("that which is to come": Heaven) atop Mt. Zion. Christian is weighed down by a great burden, the knowledge of his sin, which he believed came from his reading "the book in his hand," (the Bible). This burden, which would cause him to sink into Tophet (hell), is so unbearable that Christian must seek deliverance. He meets Evangelist as he is walking out in the fields, who directs him to the "Wicket Gate" for deliverance. Since Christian cannot see the "Wicket Gate" in the distance, Evangelist directs him to go to a "shining light," which Christian thinks he sees.[10] Christian leaves his home, his wife, and children to save himself: he cannot persuade them to accompany him. Obstinate and Pliable go after Christian to bring him back, but Christian refuses. Obstinate returns disgusted, but Pliable is persuaded to go with Christian, hoping to take advantage of the paradise that Christian claims lies at the end of his journey. Pliable's journey with Christian is cut short when the two of them fall into the Slough of Despond. It is there that Pliable abandons Christian after getting himself out. After struggling to the other side of the bog, Christian is pulled out by Help, who has heard his cries.
 | Wikisource has original text related to this article: |
On his way to the Wicket Gate, Christian is diverted by Mr. Worldly Wiseman into seeking deliverance from his burden through the Law, supposedly with the help of a Mr. Legality and his son Civility in the village of Morality, rather than through Christ, allegorically by way of the Wicket Gate. Evangelist meets the wayward Christian as he stops before Mount Sinai on the way to Legality's home. It hangs over the road and threatens to crush any who would pass it. Evangelist shows Christian that he had sinned by turning out of his way, but he assures him that he will be welcomed at the Wicket Gate if he should turn around and go there, which Christian does.
At the Wicket Gate begins the "straight and narrow" King's Highway, and Christian is directed onto it by the gatekeeper Good Will. In the Second Part, Good-will is shown to be Jesus himself.[11] To Christian's query about relief from his burden, Good Will directs him forward to "the place of deliverance."[8][12]
Christian makes his way from there to the House of the Interpreter, where he is shown pictures and tableaux that portray or dramatize aspects of the Christian faith and life. Roger Sharrock denotes them "emblems."[8][13]
From the House of the Interpreter, Christian finally reaches the "place of deliverance" (allegorically, the cross of Calvary and the open sepulchre of Christ), where the "straps" that bound Christian's burden to him break, and it rolls away into the open sepulchre. This event happens relatively early in the narrative: the immediate need of Christian at the beginning of the story being quickly remedied. After Christian is relieved of his burden, he is greeted by three shining ones, who give him the greeting of peace, new garments, and a scroll as a passport into the Celestial City — these are allegorical figures indicative of Christian Baptism.
Atop the Hill of Difficulty, Christian makes his first stop for the night at the House Beautiful, which is an allegory of the local Christian congregation. Christian spends three days here, and leaves clothed with armour (Eph. 6:11-18),[14] which stands him in good stead in his battle against Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation. This battle lasts "over half a day" until Christian manages to wound Apollyon with his two-edged sword (a reference to the Bible, Heb. 4:12).[15] "And with that Apollyon spread his dragon wings and sped away."
As night falls Christian enters the Valley of the Shadow of Death. When he is in the middle of the valley amidst the gloom, terror, and demons he hears the words of the Twenty-third Psalm, spoken possibly by his friend Faithful:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4.)
As he leaves this valley the sun rises on a new day.
Just outside the Valley of the Shadow of Death he meets Faithful, also a former resident of the City of Destruction, who accompanies him to Vanity Fair, where both are arrested and detained because of their disdain for the wares and business of the fair. Faithful is put on trial, and executed as a martyr. Hopeful, a resident of Vanity, takes Faithful's place to be Christian's companion for the rest of the way.
Along a rough stretch of road, Christian and Hopeful leave the highway to travel on the easier By-Path Meadow, where a rainstorm forces them to spend the night. In the morning they are captured by Giant Despair, who takes them to his Doubting Castle, where they are imprisoned, beaten and starved. The giant wants them to commit suicide, but they endure the ordeal until Christian realizes that a key he has, called Promise, will open all the doors and gates of Doubting Castle. Using the key, they escape.
The Delectable Mountains form the next stage of Christian and Hopeful's journey, where the shepherds show them some of the wonders of the place also known as "Immanuel's Land". As at the House of the Interpreter pilgrims are shown sights that strengthen their faith and warn them against sinning. On Mount Clear they are able to see the Celestial City through the shepherd's "perspective glass," which serves as a telescope. This device is given to Mercy in the second part at her request.
On the way, Christian and Hopeful meet a lad named Ignorance, who believes that he will be allowed into the Celestial City through his own good deeds rather than as a gift of God's grace. Christian and Hopeful meet up with him twice and try to persuade him to journey to the Celestial City in the right way. Ignorance persists in his own way that leads to his being cast into hell. After getting over the River of Death on the ferry boat of Vain Hope without overcoming the hazards of wading across it, Ignorance appears before the gates of Celestial City without a passport, which he would have acquired had he gone into the King's Highway through the Wicket Gate. The Lord of the Celestial City orders shining ones to take Ignorance to one of the byways to hell and throw him in.
Christian and Hopeful make it through the dangerous Enchanted Ground into the Land of Beulah, where they ready themselves to cross the River of Death on foot to Mount Zion and the Celestial City. Christian has a rough time of it, but Hopeful helps him over; and they are welcomed into the Celestial City.
[edit]Second Part
The Second Part of The Pilgrim's Progress presents the pilgrimage of Christian's wife, Christiana; their sons; and the maiden, Mercy. They visit the same stopping places that Christian visited, with the addition of Gaius' Inn between the Valley of the Shadow of Death and Vanity Fair; but they take a longer time in order to accommodate marriage and childbirth for the four sons and their wives. The hero of the story is Greatheart, the servant of the Interpreter, who is a pilgrim's guide to the Celestial City. He kills four giants and participates in the slaying of a monster that terrorizes the city of Vanity.
The passage of years in this second pilgrimage better allegorizes the journey of the Christian life. By using heroines, Bunyan, in the Second Part, illustrates the idea that women as well as men can be brave pilgrims.
 | Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: John Bunyan |
Alexander M. Witherspoon, professor of English at Yale University, writes in a prefatory essay:
Part II, which appeared in 1684, is much more than a mere sequel to or repetition of the earlier volume. It clarifies and reinforces and justifies the story of Part I. The beam of Bunyan's spotlight is broadened to include Christian's family and other men, women, and children; the incidents and accidents of everyday life are more numerous, the joys of the pilgrimage tend to outweigh the hardships; and to the faith and hope of Part I is added in abundant measure that greatest of virtues, charity. The two parts of The Pilgrim's Progress in reality constitute a whole, and the whole is, without doubt, the most influential religious book ever written in the English language.[16]
This is exemplified by the frailness of the pilgrims of the Second Part in contrast to those of the First: women, children, and physically and mentally challenged individuals. When Christiana's party leaves Gaius's Inn and Mr. Feeble-mind lingers in order to be left behind, he is encouraged to accompany the party by Greatheart:
But brother ... I have it in commission, to comfort the feeble-minded, and to support the weak. You must needs go along with us; we will wait for you, we will lend you our help, we will deny ourselves of some things, both opinionative and practical, for your sake; we will not enter into doubtful disputations before you, we will be made all things to you, rather than you shall be left behind.[8]
When the pilgrims end up in the Land of Beulah, they cross over the River of Death by appointment. As a matter of importance to Christians of Bunyan's persuasion reflected in the narrative of The Pilgrim's Progress, the last words of the pilgrims as they cross over the river are recorded. The four sons of Christian and their families do not cross, but remain for the support of the church in that place.
[edit]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)