Pilgrim Enters the Celestial City

On August 31, 1688 John Bunyan (b. 1628) went to be with the Lord. He died peacefully and triumphantly in bed, surrounded by close friends. Much can be said about Bunyan, but I plan to explore other aspects of his life in future posts. On this anniversary of his passing into the presence of God, I want to emphasize what is probably his greatest legacy. He was a great preacher and author, a godly husband and father, and a humble servant of Christ. He left many good books of sermons and poetry. But John Bunyan is best remembered today for being the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress.

This beloved book, which Bunyan completed while imprisoned for preaching, has been translated into over 100 languages and has been constantly in print since it was published in 1678. It is an allegory of the Christian life from start to finish. It is theology in story form. In many ways it is also autobiographical of Bunyan.

The Pilgrim’s Progress contains such vivid imagery that Bunyan still influences our thinking about many things in life. For instance, sinners under conviction of sin are still sometimes said to be in “the slough of despond.” The phrase “Vanity Fair” is still in common use and still means pretty much what it meant in Bunyan’s day. But perhaps the most common picture from Pilgrim’s Progress is that of Christian and Hopeful “crossing the river” into the Celestial City.

For Bunyan, death was like crossing a bridgeless river, which was deeper or shallower, raging or placid according to the measure of one’s faith. With Christian and Hopeful crossing together, Bunyan gives us a picture of two possible experiences of believers facing death. Christian, the older man in the story, experiences trouble and torment at first. He immediately begins to sink in deep water and fears he is forsaken and will never see the desired City. He remembers sins he committed before and after his conversion to Christ. In addition, he is hounded by apparitions of demons coming to claim his soul.

Hopeful has less trouble than Christian and quickly finds firm ground under the water to hold him up. He keeps his companion afloat and encourages him with Scripture until the light of God’s Word breaks upon Christian’s troubled soul. Then Christian feels the bottom and they both pass over safely and are received by the Shining Ones awaiting them.

So, what was Bunyan’s experience when he received his summons to cross the river? He was stricken with a severe fever while traveling to London and was taken in by a friend for rest. Here are a few quotes from John Bunyan: A Story of His Life by Frank Mott Harrison (p. 196).

The weather has cleared. It is now fine again, and brilliant sunshine floods the dying man’s room, bathing his pale, drooping face with its warmth. He signs to those near not to exclude the light: it is to him the reflection of the Celestial City towards which he is swiftly journeying; and he sees the shining ones waiting to meet him; he sees too the ‘trumpeters clothed in white raiment, who with melodious noises and loud’ make ‘even the Heavens echo with their sound.’ He sees the gates opening to let him in; he hears the celestial choir sing ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord’; and ‘he wishes himself among them’.

Presently, John Bunyan awakes from a short, sweet slumber. He looks at each of his friends. They draw near and kneel around his bed. They ask what can be done for him? ‘Brothers,’ he says, in a soft, mellow tone, “I desire nothing more than to be with Christ, which is far better.’

He releases his hands from those who lovingly hold them—as though loosing the last moorings which bind him to earth—and his fair locks, tinged with grey, fall around his head as he raises it from the pillow; his bright, blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight, his cheeks recover their wonted ruddy hue, and with outstretched arms he cries with the shout of the Victor:

TAKE ME, FOR I COME TO THEE!

Thus passes in triumph the soul of JOHN BUNYAN.

May my end be like his, full of triumphant faith; even more, may my life here be like his, characterized by diligent study of God’s Word and faithfulness to it.

Frank Mott Harrison’s biography is a very good, relatively brief account of Bunyan’s life. It is a 213-page paperback from Banner of Truth. It is written on a level that any Christian, minister or layman, can enjoy.

By all means, read up on Bunyan, and read Pilgrim’s Progress. If you’re a true believer in Christ, don’t be afraid to contemplate death. You’re not being gloomy; you’re anticipating the bright, eternal day when we will join Bunyan and countless others at the side of our blessed Lord. We get only one shot at crossing the river. Let’s do it well.

Pilgrim Enters the Celestial City