Derek Thomas

And then with the aid of a perspective glass, a telescope, if you will, they could see Beulah Land.

And beyond it, they could see something like the gates of the city and some of the glory of the place.

So they've been given a little anticipation of heaven.

Actually, in the allegory, that, I think, was something that Christians see on the Lord's Day and in the ministry of the Word.

I think that's what Bunyan was trying to say.

Now, before they get to the glory of the celestial city, Hopeful and Christian pass through a place called Enchanted Ground.

This is a place where they are not allowed to fall asleep.

If they fall asleep, terrible things are going to happen to them.

So they must stay awake.

And there's a description of just how close they get to falling asleep.

But once again, it's perseverance.

Once again, it's the lesson that right up to the end, you can expect opposition and trial and difficulty.

They pass through enchanted ground and they come to Beulah land where the air is very pleasant in contrast to enchanted ground.

And birds sing and flowers bloom and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in the land and the sun is always shining and the land is full of wonderful things.

Most significantly, Beulah Land is beyond the reach of villains like Giant Despair or the monsters that lurk in the valley of the shadow of death.

They're also within sight now of the city where they are going, and they greet others there, the inhabitants of the country, and shining ones who walk here because it's right next

to the border of heaven.

And these are shining ones who will actually—angels who will escort them now to the gates of the celestial city.

They meet a gardener who tells them that the beautiful vineyards and the gardens are the kings and are planted there for the enjoyment and for the comfort of the pilgrims.

They refresh themselves with delicacies, food, once again, Bunyan loved food, and his description of it is wonderful in the course of the tale of Pilgrim's Progress.