Christian and Hopeful finally stand before the Gates of Heaven, and the Shining Men bid them to call. The saints that have gone before look over the battlements of heaven, but it is none other than the King who commands the Gate to be opened. The Pilgrims present their scrolls, and in words that are so simple yet so sublime, ‘Now I saw in my dream that these two men went in at the gate…’. It is beyond the imagination of mortals to convey the joy they felt, nor the sights they witnessed… nor the Majesty and Glory of the One who bids them enter.

These closing paragraphs are among the most celebrated of the Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan’s genius as a writer is often the focus (ironically). It is true that he paints a vivid picture with remarkably few words, and that what he chooses not to say is as powerful as what is written. But Bunyan would be seriously disappointed if his ‘less is more’ literary approach was what amazed us in these closing scenes.

Bunyan is determined to stay within Biblical parameters as he gives us this slightest glimpse into the wonders of the Celestial City, and of the Pilgrims as they are ‘transfigured’. Christian and Hopeful are equipped for the worship of heaven, and clothed in raiment fit to be there. The architecture and atmosphere of the City are hinted at, as is the powerful joy and worship within it. But after a breath-taking three short paragraphs, we are simply told, ‘And after that they shut the gates…’. But as the thunderous noise of the gates being shut echoes down the Hill, Bunyan gives voice to us all who have travelled with the pilgrims and watched them enter their rest: ‘I wished myself among them’.

Indeed.

But perhaps it is worth remembering that we have already been seen among them. In the Apocalypse of St. John (the Book of Revelation), John is granted a number of visions that lead up to the end of this age, and at the end of each sequence he is granted an insight into the worship of the Heavenly Courtroom. During one such glimpse, he sees ‘a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb…’. later in the sequence he is asked who this great crowd are. John (wisely!) evades an answer, but it transpires this is the Church, redeemed out of this age, glorified, dressed to stand before the throne and captivated in worship by the God and the Lamb who sit on the throne before them. There is much tenderness in the picture of the Church, battered and beaten down by her Pilgrimage through the tribulation of this world being gently restored and refreshed in her worship.

But remember, this is the Church at the end of the age. The entirety of those who have confessed Christ as Saviour and Lord throughout the long centuries of history. The full roster of those who have walked the Narrow Path. The full register of Pilgrims.

including those from MIE…

I find this a breath-taking realisation. I have been seen in heaven.

And Jesus is not ashamed of me. We looked at this briefly in yesterday’s post, but it is worth returning to as we draw our series to a close. Heb.2:10-13 is an incredible passage in this regard, speaking as it does of Jesus’ bringing many sons and daughters to glory. It exalts the Person of Christ in His being holy, and the work of Christ in making us holy. It wonders at the union we have with Christ, our adoption as His brothers and sisters. And in the midst of it all is the extraordinary declaration: Jesus is not ashamed..! Not ashamed of what? He is not ashamed of us! He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. As we rejoice in Him in song, so He rejoices over us in song; as we delight in Him, so He delights in us (Zeph.3:17).

As I’ve read and pondered these closing scenes of Christian’s Pilgrimage, this is the amazing truth I’ve found myself coming back to again and again. Christ died to win for Himself a people. Or in the words of Paul, ‘Jesus Christ … gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a people that His very own, eager to do what is good’ (Titus 2:13-14). In His glorious condescension and infinite compassion, that is and always has been His design. When Christ entered into eternal Covenant with His Father to redeem the Church through the Spirit, in His heart He longed for His Bride. In a single moment of colossal self-sacrifice, for which all of creation was called into being, He would revere His Father and redeem His people. The fullness of that compact between the persons of the Trinity is beyond human grasping, but this much we know: Whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

And when we finally arrive at the Gate of the Celestial City, the Lamb that was slain from before the foundation of the world, will receive the reward of His suffering

Soli Deo Gloria.