Good morning and welcome to our online book study of Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. For more information regarding this study click HERE. Also, remember that we are going to discuss the book according to the various stages detailed HERE.
Today we are discussing Stage Four of Bunyan's book: Valley of Humiliation, Conflict with Apollyon, Valley of the Shadow of Death, Giants Pope and Pagan
The dominant scene of this stage is obviously Christian's encounter with Apollyon. Apollyon is one of the Devil's servants who rules as Lord over Christian's hometown, the City of Destruction. Naturally, he is upset at losing one of his subjects and seeks to coerce Christian into returning to his service.
He begins by reasoning with Christian and trying to bring him back through dialogue. Christian replies, "I was born indeed in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages such as a man could not live on, 'for the wages of sin is death.'" Later on, Christian speaks of his new Lord and says, "I like his service, his wages, his servants, his government, his company and country, better than thine; and therefore leave off to persuade me further; I am his servant, and I will follow him."
This dialogue only serves to further anger Apollyon. He steps it up a notch and reminds Christian of his unfaithfulness to his new Lord. Notice Christian's reply, "All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive."
Have you ever felt like the Devil was bombarding you with reminders of past sins? I believe this is one of his favorite tactics to use in frustrating and discouraging believers. We must reply like Christian did. We must look the Devil in the eye and say, "Yes I have committed all those grievous sins, plus many more. But, Christ has forgiven my sin. He has taken the burden and penalty of my sin upon Himself. His mercy and forgiveness are great!"
Again, this only makes Apollyon angrier. He abandons dialogue and pursues violent action. Christian defeats him with his two-edged sword, the Word of God. I found it interesting that as Christian continued on his journey following his defeat of Apollyon, he kept his sword drawn. He stayed prepared for battle. The application for us is to keep our sword drawn. Our sword is the Word of God. We must study it and be ready to use it. It is our most powerful weapon.
Your Turn
Today we are discussing Stage Four of Bunyan's book: Valley of Humiliation, Conflict with Apollyon, Valley of the Shadow of Death, Giants Pope and Pagan
The dominant scene of this stage is obviously Christian's encounter with Apollyon. Apollyon is one of the Devil's servants who rules as Lord over Christian's hometown, the City of Destruction. Naturally, he is upset at losing one of his subjects and seeks to coerce Christian into returning to his service.
He begins by reasoning with Christian and trying to bring him back through dialogue. Christian replies, "I was born indeed in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages such as a man could not live on, 'for the wages of sin is death.'" Later on, Christian speaks of his new Lord and says, "I like his service, his wages, his servants, his government, his company and country, better than thine; and therefore leave off to persuade me further; I am his servant, and I will follow him."
This dialogue only serves to further anger Apollyon. He steps it up a notch and reminds Christian of his unfaithfulness to his new Lord. Notice Christian's reply, "All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful and ready to forgive."
Have you ever felt like the Devil was bombarding you with reminders of past sins? I believe this is one of his favorite tactics to use in frustrating and discouraging believers. We must reply like Christian did. We must look the Devil in the eye and say, "Yes I have committed all those grievous sins, plus many more. But, Christ has forgiven my sin. He has taken the burden and penalty of my sin upon Himself. His mercy and forgiveness are great!"
Again, this only makes Apollyon angrier. He abandons dialogue and pursues violent action. Christian defeats him with his two-edged sword, the Word of God. I found it interesting that as Christian continued on his journey following his defeat of Apollyon, he kept his sword drawn. He stayed prepared for battle. The application for us is to keep our sword drawn. Our sword is the Word of God. We must study it and be ready to use it. It is our most powerful weapon.
Your Turn
Now it is time for you to share with us some of your highlights. Share how this section encouraged you or challenged you.
Next Week
Next Week
Next Monday, we will discuss the Fifth Stage: Discourse with Faithful, Talkative & Faithful, Talkative's Character
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