Christian and Hopeful are journeying together and getting near the Celestial City, but first they must
pass through the River of Death.
Christian and Hopeful begin their last earthly journey.....
I saw when they awoke that they prepared to go up to the City.
However, the reflection of the sun upon the City, which was pure gold, was so extremely bright that they could not with the natural eye look directly upon it. They had to look through a glass made for that purpose.
As they went on they were met by two men in golden raiment whose faces shone like the light.
Christian asked the men to go along with them. They said they would, but added, "You must go on your own faith."
So I saw in my dream that they all went on together till they came in sight of the gate.
They come to the river....
Between them and the gate was a deep river, dark and cold, and there was no bridge.
At the sight of the river the pilgrims turned pale, and were silent. The two men said, "You must go through, or you will never get to the gate."
"Is there no other way?" they asked.
"Yes," said the men, "but since the foundation of the world
only two, Enoch and Elijah, have been permitted to go that way, nor shall any others ever be so permitted until Christ comes again."
Then they accepted the inevitable.
Crossing the fearful river....
Entering the water, Christian began to sink. He cried to his good friend Hopeful, "I sink in deep water, the billows go over my head; all His waves go over me."
"Be of good cheer," said Hopeful, "I feel the bottom, and it is good."
Then said Christian, "Ah! my friend, sorrows of death have surrounded me; and I shall never see that happy land."
Then an awful horror and darkness came over Christian so that he could not see what was before him. He could not quite remember or speak coherently of the good things he had enjoyed in the way of his pilgrimage. But what words he spoke indicated he had great fears of dying in that river before reaching the beautiful gate.
They that stood by perceived that he was troubled over sins he had committed, both before and after he became a pilgrim.
Hopeful holds on and brings them through....
Hopeful, therefore, had all he could do to keep his brother's head above water.
"Brother, I see the gate, and I see the saints standing by to receive us," he consoled Christian.
But Christian said, "It is you, it is you they wait for. Jesus Christ would have come to my rescue. But because of my sins He has brought me into this snare and left me," was his reply.
Then Hopeful said, "My brother, these troubles and distresses that you go through in these waters are no sign that God has forsaken you. They are sent to call to your mind that which you have received of His goodness, that you may trust Him in your distress."
Then Christian seriously reflected for a moment as Hopeful added these words, "Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole."
Then Christian broke out in a strong voice, "Oh, I see Him again, and He is saying, "When thou passeth through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee...."
Then they both took courage. Soon Christian found ground to stand on, and the rest of the river was shallow.
They cross over the river...
Reaching the other side, on the bank of the river, they saw the two shining ones waiting for them.
When the pilgrims came out of the water, the two angles saluted them, saying, "We are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."
Now they went along together toward the gate. Though the City stood on a great high hill, the pilgrims went up the hill with perfect ease because of the two heavenly ones leading them by the arms and because their mortal garments had been left in the river.
When they drew near the gate, they were met by a company of the heavenly host, of whom, in introduction, the shining ones said, "These are the men who loved our Lord when in the world and left all for His service. He sent us to guide them Home, and we have brought them thus far, that they may go in and see the King."
The heavenly host gave a joyous hallelujah, saying, "Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."
Then also came out several of the King's trumpeters to welcome the pilgrims with heavenly music.
Then they walked on together to the gate and were admitted into the eternal City. They were given new costumes which shone like white gold. Then all the bells of Heaven rang out with joy, and one said, "Enter ye into the joys of thy Lord."
Then all the multitude sang out with loud voices: "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."
And so Christian and Hopeful arrived at their home.
Rev 21:18; Ps 73:4-5; Is 3:2; Heb 1:14; Heb 12:22-23; Rev. 21:1-4; Matt 5:12; I John 3:2; Jude 14-15, Rev 19:9; Rev 22:14.
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