Season 5 Podcast 70 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 19 Chapter 4 C, “The Valley of the Shadow of Death.”

Episode 19, Chapter 4 C, “The Valley of the Shadow of Death.”

In last week’s episode, Apollyon tries to destroy Christian and fails; however, that does not mean that his trials are over. In this week’s episode Christian enters into the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

“So, when the battle was over, Christian said, "I will here give thanks to Him that hath delivered me out of the mouth of the lion; to Him that did help me against Apollyon."

The above, referring to Christian’s battle with Apollyon, is in reference to Peter’s words.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)

After his victory against Apollyon who symbolizes the devil, Christian praises God for helping him win his battle against Satan.

"Great Satan, the captain of this fiend, Designed my ruin; therefore to this end He sent him harnessed out: and he with rage That hellish was, did fiercely me engage; But blessed angels helped me; and I, By dint of sword, did quickly make him fly: Therefore to God let me give lasting praise, And thank and bless His holy name always."

Christian is healed from his wounds.

“Then there came to him a hand with some of the leaves of the tree of life; the which Christian took, and laid upon the wounds that he had received in the battle, and was healed immediately.”

The above, of course, is in reference to Revelation 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. 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.”

The story of Pilgrim’s Progress weaves in and out of the Holy Bible, thus making Pilgrim’s Progress an allegory of the entire story of mankind as he seeks the Promised Land through Christ. That is its universal appeal to Christians of all denominations. Bunyan draws his imagery primarily from the New Testament. He is a literalist, taking the Bible directly at its word. An allegory personifies virtues, giving them a body and soul. They are living things. That which the Bible teaches spiritually, Bunyan presents literally. The sword he carries is the sword spoken of by Paul in reference to the full armor of God.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

And thus armed he bravely continues his journey.

“He also sat down in that place to eat bread, and to drink of the bottle that was given to him a little before: so, being refreshed, he went forth on his journey, with his sword drawn in his hand; "For," he said, "I know not but some other enemy may be at hand." But he met with no other harm from Apollyon quite through this valley.”

The valley refers to The Valley of the Shadow of Death spoken of by King David in the 23rd Psalm.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”