Diabolus.
Diabolus is the Devil as defined in Bunyan’s marginal note. Diabolus is first introduced as “king of the Blacks or Negros”. I wish to pre-emp any questions which readers might pose about these words. Bunyan is not making racist remarks.George Offor who edited the Banner of Truth three volume version of Bunyan’s works explains that this is a reference to the slave trade. He refers to tribal kings who capture their tribal enemies and send them into slavery for money. This is what Satan does. He captures souls, and sells them into slavery to sin. (John 8 v 34 “Whoever committeth sin is the servant of sin”). Compare it with Joseph who was sold by his brothers to some Arab traders for money, and became a slave in Egypt. Even today we read about children being captured and sold into slavery. Josephine Kamm in her book “Men who served Africa” writes on p 14 “The supply of slaves seemed endless, for chiefs in the interior of Africa engaged in tribal warfare solely for the purpose of capturing prisoners, driving them to the coast, and selling them to the Europeans. Large tracts of the country were being laid waste, and thousands of innocent, peace-loving Africans were being sold into slavery by their own rulers”.
Diabolus commits an act of treason by planning to murder the King’s Son so that he can inherit the town of Mansoul (See Rev 12 v 1 -6). “The first founder and Builder of this town was Shaddai (God, see Genesis 17 v 1-2 where El Shaddai is translated as Almighty God). He built it for his own pleasure, and it was beautiful. It was so beautiful that some said the gods came down to look at it and rejoiced”. In Genesis we read “God saw that it was good”. (Genesis 1 v 4, 10,12). The allegory continues with the spiritual rebellion in High Places.. Ephesians 6 v 12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. The sequence of events starts with “Well, upon a time there was one Diabolus, a mighty giant”. He had started well, and had been given much glory in heaven. But he showed himself in his true colours by wanting more. He started as an angel. And fell becoming a fallen angel. Isaiah 14 v 12 says “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which ididst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the starts of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit”.
The act of treason was spotted by The King (Shaddai) and Prince (Emmanuel) who can see everything and Diabolus (and his devilish companions) are banished from the royal court. “this done, he banishes them from the court, turns them down into the horrible pits, as fast bound in chains, never more to expect the least favour from his hands, but to abide the judegement that he had appointed, and that forever”. How is this arrest to be effected? By Christ’s death on the cross. Satan’s power is curbed because Christ is stronger. Compare it with Rev 20 v 1. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,. And Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled”. After the redemptive death of Christ on the cross, the Gospel or church age commenced. Satan’s power was much reduced and this enables the gospel to be preached to the whole world. The key to the rest of the narrative is that Diabolus is so angry and jealous after this banishment that he takes out his anger on the city of Mansoul. Diabolus has been foiled in his attempt to kill the Son of God so he decides to steal the city of Mansoul.
Diabolus is a flatterer and a deceiver as shown by these words from his persuasion of Mansoul (compare with the conversation with Eve in the Garden of Eden).
“Gentlemen of the famous town of Mansoul, ..I will assure you it is not myself, but you- not mine, but your advantage that I seek by what I now do, as will full well be made manifest by that I have opened my mind unto you”. LIES.
“For, gentlemen, I am (to tell you the truth) come to show you how you may obtain great and ample deliverance from a bondage that, unawares to yourselves, you are captivated and enslaved under”. LIES
“Tis not true, for that wherewith he hath hitherto awed you shall not come to pass, nor be fulfilled, though you do the thing that he hath forbidden” Lies. See Genesis 3 v 4 “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die”. LIES.
“Touching his laws, this I say further, they are both unreasonable, intricate, and intolerable. …there is great difference and disproportion betwixt the life and an apple”. LIES
“that fruit you are forbidden to eat of ( if you are forbidden any) is that, and that alone, which is able , by your eating to minister to you a good as yet unknown by you. This is manifest by the very name of the tree; it is called the tree of knowledge of good and evil;”. LIES and Flattery.
The inhabitants of Mansoul believe the lies of Diabolus, and let him onto the city. Disaster! Sin has now entered the world.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Mansoulians
Who are the Mansoulians?
Mansoulians are the people who live in Mansoul, not the bricks and mortar. We have seen that the bricks and mortar of Mansoul are the bride of Christ, or individual Christians. The inhabitants of Mansoul are the thoughts and desires of the Bride of Christ collectively and individually, both bad (Diabolonians) and good (Mansoulians). Bunyan’s margin notes state that Mansoulian men are good thoughts and women are good conceptions, intentions, and children are good desires. Indeed Bunyan states that Mansoulians were the original inhabitants of Mansoul (characters from before the fall).
On p9 the Mansoulians before the fall are described as “simple and innocent, all honest and true; nor do they yet know what it is to be assaulted with fraud, guile, and hypocrisy. They are strangers to lying and dissembling lips”.
The two most important Mansoulians are Captain Resistance and Lord Innocence. They are known to be brave men, who protected Mansoul from the onslaught of the enemy Diabolus. The first Mansoulian to be named is Captain Resistance (p 9). He is greatly feared by Diabolus and his evil spirits. We are reminded of the verse “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” in James 4 v 7. Resistance is shot dead by Tisiphone (p 12) and Mansoul is left devoid of any courage and resistance to Diabolus. Next to be named are the Mansoulians Lord Innocent, Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder. Lord Innocent is killed in the attack of Diabolus on Mansoul. He appears to be suffocated by the stinking breath of Ill-pause. The poisonous words of Ill-pause cause Mansoul to sin. Thus mankind looses its innocence and becomes guilty of original sin. With Resistance and Innocence dead, Mansoul eats the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3 v 6).
Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder (Mr Conscience) and the Lord Mayor, who is called Lord Understanding survive the attack, but are deposed from their offices as the decision makers in the human soul . Each will be looked at in more detail later.
Other Mansoulians are Mr Mind, Mr Affection, the clerks or “yes men” of Mr conscience and Lord Willbewill respectively. Mr Mind had a daughter called Carnal Lust. The name tells us that she was a Diabolonian. It is therefore possible for a Mansoulian to be the parent of a Diabolonian. Remembering Bunyan’s definition that Diabolonian children are evil desires, we see that Mansoulians in their unconverted states have evil desires. Carnal lust marries Mr Affection. Since he also is unconverted, he is called Vile Affection and we must conclude that he marries Carnal Lust from motives of sexual gratification only. This marriage results on the bearing of more children, Impudent, Black-mouth, and Hate-reproof (boys) and Scorn-truth, Slight-God and Revenge. Evil desires give birth to more evil desires. The unconverted soul enters a spiral of sin, leading to worse and worse sins (See the prophet Ballam). This reminds us of Luke 7 v 35 “Wisdom is justified of all her children”. Humanly speaking there is no hope for Mansoul now since the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6 v 23)
Mansoulians who appear later in the narrative are Mr Desires Awake, Mr Wet eyes, Mr Experience, and Godly fear. These represent the soul’s desire to meet with God and be forgiven by Him.
Mansoulians are the people who live in Mansoul, not the bricks and mortar. We have seen that the bricks and mortar of Mansoul are the bride of Christ, or individual Christians. The inhabitants of Mansoul are the thoughts and desires of the Bride of Christ collectively and individually, both bad (Diabolonians) and good (Mansoulians). Bunyan’s margin notes state that Mansoulian men are good thoughts and women are good conceptions, intentions, and children are good desires. Indeed Bunyan states that Mansoulians were the original inhabitants of Mansoul (characters from before the fall).
On p9 the Mansoulians before the fall are described as “simple and innocent, all honest and true; nor do they yet know what it is to be assaulted with fraud, guile, and hypocrisy. They are strangers to lying and dissembling lips”.
The two most important Mansoulians are Captain Resistance and Lord Innocence. They are known to be brave men, who protected Mansoul from the onslaught of the enemy Diabolus. The first Mansoulian to be named is Captain Resistance (p 9). He is greatly feared by Diabolus and his evil spirits. We are reminded of the verse “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” in James 4 v 7. Resistance is shot dead by Tisiphone (p 12) and Mansoul is left devoid of any courage and resistance to Diabolus. Next to be named are the Mansoulians Lord Innocent, Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder. Lord Innocent is killed in the attack of Diabolus on Mansoul. He appears to be suffocated by the stinking breath of Ill-pause. The poisonous words of Ill-pause cause Mansoul to sin. Thus mankind looses its innocence and becomes guilty of original sin. With Resistance and Innocence dead, Mansoul eats the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3 v 6).
Lord Willbewill and Mr Recorder (Mr Conscience) and the Lord Mayor, who is called Lord Understanding survive the attack, but are deposed from their offices as the decision makers in the human soul . Each will be looked at in more detail later.
Other Mansoulians are Mr Mind, Mr Affection, the clerks or “yes men” of Mr conscience and Lord Willbewill respectively. Mr Mind had a daughter called Carnal Lust. The name tells us that she was a Diabolonian. It is therefore possible for a Mansoulian to be the parent of a Diabolonian. Remembering Bunyan’s definition that Diabolonian children are evil desires, we see that Mansoulians in their unconverted states have evil desires. Carnal lust marries Mr Affection. Since he also is unconverted, he is called Vile Affection and we must conclude that he marries Carnal Lust from motives of sexual gratification only. This marriage results on the bearing of more children, Impudent, Black-mouth, and Hate-reproof (boys) and Scorn-truth, Slight-God and Revenge. Evil desires give birth to more evil desires. The unconverted soul enters a spiral of sin, leading to worse and worse sins (See the prophet Ballam). This reminds us of Luke 7 v 35 “Wisdom is justified of all her children”. Humanly speaking there is no hope for Mansoul now since the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6 v 23)
Mansoulians who appear later in the narrative are Mr Desires Awake, Mr Wet eyes, Mr Experience, and Godly fear. These represent the soul’s desire to meet with God and be forgiven by Him.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Diabolonians
What are Diabolonians?
On p 1 Bunyan describes the people in the country of Universe. “Some are right and some are wrong”. There are “goodies” and “baddies”. The Diabolonians are definitely “baddies”. The Diabolonians are our sins and sinful thoughts. Bunyan makes a distinction between the original inhabitants of Mansoul (Mansoulians) , and the newcomers. It is the newcomers or strangers that are the Diabolonians. The Diabolonians are driven by fallen angels. Hebrews 1 v 14 defines angels as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”. Therefore fallen angels are hindering spirits sent forth to hinder them who shall be heirs of salvation. Bunyan comments in “A Jerusalem Sinner Saved”. “Now, sin swarms and lieth by legions. And whole armies, in the souls of the biggest sinners, as in garrisons”. (see vol 1 p 78 of the Banner of Truth three-volume set of bunyan’s complete works). Further proof is provided by Bunyan’s use of the word “sins” in the margin text next to the words of Diabolus “Nor shall any of those dear friends of mine, that now, for the fear of you, lie lurking in dens and holes and caves in Mansoul, be hurtful to you any more”.
When Mansoul does confess her sin and repent, Emmanuel asks whether all the inhabitants of Mansoul are repenting. The inhabitants answer “All the natives, Lord, but for the Diabolonians that came into our town when the tyrant got possession of us, we can say nothing for them”. Thus the Diabolonians are the sinful thoughts and actions. Some are put to death (repented of) at conversion and others remain in our hearts after conversion. Some of these residual sins are mortified (put to death) after conversion.
Isobel Kuhn talks about the Diabolitians (read as Diabolonians) in her autobiography entitled “By Searching” on p 100. She speaks as a converted person who is training for missionary service and confesses her sins of pride, disobedience and rebellion as her personal Diabolonians.
The Diabolonians are not meant to be seen as unconverted people as Christ would not have us commit murder! Killing Diabolonians is meant to be understood as mortifying the deeds of the flesh. See Romans 8 v 13 “for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”.
The sins which are put to death at conversion include Mr Atheism, Mr Lusting, Mr Incredulity, Mr forget Good, Mr Hard Heart, Mr False Peace, Mr No Truth, Mr Pitiless, and Mr Haughty ( see p 145). Notice that they are all commoners – just plain Mr and not Lord. In mediaeval times Lords could escape judgement by bringing their wealth and influence to bear. Commoners had nothing to place between them and justice, and were executed for their crimes.
After the conversion experience, there remains un-repented of sin. These are Lord fornication, Lord Adultery, Lord Murder, Lord Anger, Lord Lasciviousness, Lord Deceit, Lord Evil Eye, Mr Drunkenness, Mr Revelling, Mr Idolatry, Mr Witchcraft, Mr Varience, Mr Emulation, Mr Wrath, Mr Strife, Mr Sedition, and Mr Heresy (see p 176). Notice that there are several “gentry” or Lords who would be able to escape justice in a Mediaeval setting. These are particularly entrenched sins which Christians need to try very hard over a prolonged period of time to achieve mortification.
On p 1 Bunyan describes the people in the country of Universe. “Some are right and some are wrong”. There are “goodies” and “baddies”. The Diabolonians are definitely “baddies”. The Diabolonians are our sins and sinful thoughts. Bunyan makes a distinction between the original inhabitants of Mansoul (Mansoulians) , and the newcomers. It is the newcomers or strangers that are the Diabolonians. The Diabolonians are driven by fallen angels. Hebrews 1 v 14 defines angels as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”. Therefore fallen angels are hindering spirits sent forth to hinder them who shall be heirs of salvation. Bunyan comments in “A Jerusalem Sinner Saved”. “Now, sin swarms and lieth by legions. And whole armies, in the souls of the biggest sinners, as in garrisons”. (see vol 1 p 78 of the Banner of Truth three-volume set of bunyan’s complete works). Further proof is provided by Bunyan’s use of the word “sins” in the margin text next to the words of Diabolus “Nor shall any of those dear friends of mine, that now, for the fear of you, lie lurking in dens and holes and caves in Mansoul, be hurtful to you any more”.
When Mansoul does confess her sin and repent, Emmanuel asks whether all the inhabitants of Mansoul are repenting. The inhabitants answer “All the natives, Lord, but for the Diabolonians that came into our town when the tyrant got possession of us, we can say nothing for them”. Thus the Diabolonians are the sinful thoughts and actions. Some are put to death (repented of) at conversion and others remain in our hearts after conversion. Some of these residual sins are mortified (put to death) after conversion.
Isobel Kuhn talks about the Diabolitians (read as Diabolonians) in her autobiography entitled “By Searching” on p 100. She speaks as a converted person who is training for missionary service and confesses her sins of pride, disobedience and rebellion as her personal Diabolonians.
The Diabolonians are not meant to be seen as unconverted people as Christ would not have us commit murder! Killing Diabolonians is meant to be understood as mortifying the deeds of the flesh. See Romans 8 v 13 “for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”.
The sins which are put to death at conversion include Mr Atheism, Mr Lusting, Mr Incredulity, Mr forget Good, Mr Hard Heart, Mr False Peace, Mr No Truth, Mr Pitiless, and Mr Haughty ( see p 145). Notice that they are all commoners – just plain Mr and not Lord. In mediaeval times Lords could escape judgement by bringing their wealth and influence to bear. Commoners had nothing to place between them and justice, and were executed for their crimes.
After the conversion experience, there remains un-repented of sin. These are Lord fornication, Lord Adultery, Lord Murder, Lord Anger, Lord Lasciviousness, Lord Deceit, Lord Evil Eye, Mr Drunkenness, Mr Revelling, Mr Idolatry, Mr Witchcraft, Mr Varience, Mr Emulation, Mr Wrath, Mr Strife, Mr Sedition, and Mr Heresy (see p 176). Notice that there are several “gentry” or Lords who would be able to escape justice in a Mediaeval setting. These are particularly entrenched sins which Christians need to try very hard over a prolonged period of time to achieve mortification.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Who is Mansoul?
Mansoul is the Bride of Christ, the invisible church, the gathering of all Christians. The last passage in the Holy War gives us the key to it. The passage annotated “Emmanuel’s speech to Mansoul” states “For yet a little while, O my Mansoul, even after a few more times are gone over thy head, I will take down this famous town of Mansoul, stick and stone, to the ground. And I will carry the stones thereof, and the timber thereof, and the walls thereof, and the dust thereof, and the inhabitants thereof, into mine own country, even into the kingdom of my father; and will there set it up in such strength and glory as it never did see in the kingdom where it is now placed. I will even there set it up for my Father’s habitation, for, for that purpose if was first erected in the kingdom of Universe; and there will I make it a spectacle of wonder, a monument of mercy, and the admirer of its own mercy”.
Compare this with the description of the city of God in Revelation 21 v 2. “And I John saw the Holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” … v 12 “And had a great wall and high and had twelve gates; and at the gates twelve angels, and names written theron, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” Therefore in the analogy the invisible Christian Church is represented by the bricks and mortar of the city of Mansoul. This is consistent with the building analogy in the Bible. See 1 Peter 2 v 5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house”. Also in Hebrews 11 v 10 we read “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”. The Lord Jesus himself has told us in John 14 v 2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you”. Christ Himself is the corner stone of this building. Mark 12 v 10 (and Isaiah 28 v 16) “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner”.
Mansoul is referred to as “She” which is consistent with Mansoul being the Bride of Christ. On p 62 we read that Shaddai says “If now poor Mansoul would humble herself”. In the Old Testament the type of the invisible church is Jerusalem, Israel’s daughter (Lamentations 2 v 8), and the daughter of Zion (Lamentations 2 v 13). In the New Testament Mansoul is the Kingdom of God in the hearts of believers. Luke 17 v 21 “The Kingdom of God is within you”.
Bunyan also uses the word “they” when referring to Mansoul. The invisible church is made up of individual believers. On P 112 we read Now, what death they should die, and how long they should be in dying, was that which most perplexed their heads and hearts; yea they were afraid that Emmanuel would command them into the deep, the place that the Prince Diabolus was afraid of, for they knew that they had deserved it”.
Would you not like to live in this heavenly city? It is beautiful, richly decorated, eternal and fully furnished with all your needs. It is full of God’s people, each of which lives in a mansion. But this heavenly city is not here on earth, it is in the world to come. You only have one opportunity to live on this earth, and one life in which to repent of your sin, ask for forgiveness and have faith in Christ’s vicarious death. Do not put it off! Turn today to Christ for repentance.
Compare this with the description of the city of God in Revelation 21 v 2. “And I John saw the Holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” … v 12 “And had a great wall and high and had twelve gates; and at the gates twelve angels, and names written theron, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” Therefore in the analogy the invisible Christian Church is represented by the bricks and mortar of the city of Mansoul. This is consistent with the building analogy in the Bible. See 1 Peter 2 v 5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house”. Also in Hebrews 11 v 10 we read “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”. The Lord Jesus himself has told us in John 14 v 2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you”. Christ Himself is the corner stone of this building. Mark 12 v 10 (and Isaiah 28 v 16) “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner”.
Mansoul is referred to as “She” which is consistent with Mansoul being the Bride of Christ. On p 62 we read that Shaddai says “If now poor Mansoul would humble herself”. In the Old Testament the type of the invisible church is Jerusalem, Israel’s daughter (Lamentations 2 v 8), and the daughter of Zion (Lamentations 2 v 13). In the New Testament Mansoul is the Kingdom of God in the hearts of believers. Luke 17 v 21 “The Kingdom of God is within you”.
Bunyan also uses the word “they” when referring to Mansoul. The invisible church is made up of individual believers. On P 112 we read Now, what death they should die, and how long they should be in dying, was that which most perplexed their heads and hearts; yea they were afraid that Emmanuel would command them into the deep, the place that the Prince Diabolus was afraid of, for they knew that they had deserved it”.
Would you not like to live in this heavenly city? It is beautiful, richly decorated, eternal and fully furnished with all your needs. It is full of God’s people, each of which lives in a mansion. But this heavenly city is not here on earth, it is in the world to come. You only have one opportunity to live on this earth, and one life in which to repent of your sin, ask for forgiveness and have faith in Christ’s vicarious death. Do not put it off! Turn today to Christ for repentance.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Between two worlds
Between the two worlds
Bunyan describes on p 2 that the town of Mansoul “lieth just between the two worlds”.
These two worlds are heaven and hell. Our progress through life determines whether heaven or hell is our destiny. Both can be reached from the city of Mansoul. It is not popular in our day to point out that there is a heaven and hell. However the Bible is clear on this matter. Psalm 139 v 8 shows us David praying “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there”. Christ explains to us in a kindly way that we can so easily be lost to heaven. In Matthew 5 v 22 the Lord Jesus says “whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement: and whosoever shall say to his brother Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”. In Matt 7 v 13 Christ urges us to “enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”. It is our sin which condemns us to death and hell. However there is a way of escape from hell and that is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the son of God. The strait gate (represented by the wicket gate in Pilgrim’s Progress) is accessed by faith in Christ. Have you ever been angry with someone and called them a fool? Have you ever sinned? We all have! “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” says Paul in Romans 3 v 23. If we think that we are not sinners and are really quite “good” people then we are badly mistaken. 1 John 1 v 8 says “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. The first battering ram blow in the Holy war is to accept that we are sinners. 1 John 1 v 9 tells us “If we confess our sins, he (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un-righteousness”.
Bunyan describes on p 2 that the town of Mansoul “lieth just between the two worlds”.
These two worlds are heaven and hell. Our progress through life determines whether heaven or hell is our destiny. Both can be reached from the city of Mansoul. It is not popular in our day to point out that there is a heaven and hell. However the Bible is clear on this matter. Psalm 139 v 8 shows us David praying “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there”. Christ explains to us in a kindly way that we can so easily be lost to heaven. In Matthew 5 v 22 the Lord Jesus says “whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement: and whosoever shall say to his brother Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”. In Matt 7 v 13 Christ urges us to “enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”. It is our sin which condemns us to death and hell. However there is a way of escape from hell and that is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the son of God. The strait gate (represented by the wicket gate in Pilgrim’s Progress) is accessed by faith in Christ. Have you ever been angry with someone and called them a fool? Have you ever sinned? We all have! “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” says Paul in Romans 3 v 23. If we think that we are not sinners and are really quite “good” people then we are badly mistaken. 1 John 1 v 8 says “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. The first battering ram blow in the Holy war is to accept that we are sinners. 1 John 1 v 9 tells us “If we confess our sins, he (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un-righteousness”.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Who is Ill-pause?
Who is “Ill-Pause”?
The name of Ill Pause
Ill Pause is a mere Mr and not a Lord, so Ill Pause does not survive the conversion process. (see p 107). He makes a “low congee” (or bow) to Diabolus so must be of much inferior rank to Diabolus, and is a chattel or slave.
The word “pause” means a hesitation or break in the flow of speech. Ill-Pause is the personal demon who makes a soul hesitate to come to Christ for salvation. We could call Ill-Pause “Mr Procrastination”, or “Mr Put-It-Off”. He says to every Christian enquirer “Wait until you are old before you become a Christian. Enjoy your young life, make money and become a success, THEN when you are old and about to die repent of your sin and ask for forgiveness and salvation. This reminds us of the man who told the Lord Jesus that he would follow Him after his father had died. Christ replies in Matthew 8 v 22 follow me and let the dead bury their dead”. Putting it in the positive style, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6 v2). How do you know that you will outlive your parents? If you wait until they are dead before you follow Christ, you may never be saved. When the Lord Jesus reasons with a soul, He demands that we dispose of this procrastinating and delaying tactic. If you hear the Shepherd’s voice calling you today, then follow Him straight away. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me” ( John 10 v 27). Following the shepherd gives safety from predators such as wolves (Satan) and human adversaries. Christ’s sheep shall never perish (John 10 v 28).
He is referred to as “Old Ill-pause” on p 95. This is a term of familiarity. We all know Ill-pause from way back. He has been keeping us from becoming a Christian for years!
The nature of Ill-Pause.
Ill-pause is old.
The name Ill-Pause does not describe all the character of the demon as described by Bunyan. Ill-pause is an old man (see p 107). He has been around since the days of Adam and Eve (p 14), as it was Ill-Pause who reasoned with them and invited them to eat the forbidden fruit. “and first they did as Ill-Pause had taught them, and; they looked, they considered, they were taken with the forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and did eat; and having eaten, they became immediately drunken therewith”. He is also old in the sense that he represents the “Old man” or pre-conversion personality. Eph 4 v 22 urges us to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts”.
Ill-pause is Satan’s orator.
The first reference to Ill-pause is on p 10. “Nor took he (Diabolus) any with him, but one Ill-pause, who was his orator in all difficult matters”. This is re-affirmed on p 12 with “Then stood forth that he, Mr. Ill-pause that Diabolus brought with him, who was his orator”. Ill-pause has “stinking breath” which causes the death of Lord Innocency (p 13). The words of Ill-pause are poison, and the fall results from his words as seen in the previous quote from p 14. The fall resulted in sin and guilt entering the world. It can be taken as read that Ill-pause is a liar.
Emmanuel challenges Ill-pause.
In the narrative Emmanuel sends his four captains; Captain Boanerges, Captain Conviction, Captain Judgement, and Captain Execution to challenge Mansoul. Mansoul refuses to hear, but asks for more time to consider Emmanuel’s demands to surrender the City to Himself. The captain of Salvation replies by asking Mansoul to dispose of Ill-pause. He will give Mansoul more time to consider if they will dispose of the delaying mentality. It seems like a contradiction in terms, but Christ is re-affirming the urgency of the need to repent. On p 95 Ill-pause gives his reply. He challenges Emmanuel to take Mansoul by force. “I have in commandment from my high lord (Diabolus) to bid you to tell it to your Prince Emmanuel, that Mansoul and their king are resolved to stand and fall together; and that it is in vain for your prince to think of ever having Mansoul in his hand, unless he can take it by force”. Emanuel accepts the challenge and resolves to take Mansoul by force. “I must try the power of my sword, for I will not raise my siege and depart, but will assuredly take my Mansoul, and deliver it from the hand of her enemy”. The taking by force is consistent with the powerful verse in John 6 v 37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”.
Ill-pause is wounded.
Emmanuel has uttered strong words and has resolved to take Mansoul by force. This can only be achieved by the death of the old man Mr Ill-pause. On p 98 Ill-pause is wounded. He “received a grievous wound in the head; some say that his brain-pan was cracked. This I have taken notice of, that he was never after this able to do that mischief to Mansoul as he had done in times past”. Although not an outright death, this is the beginning of the end of Ill-pause. His skull was fractured resulting in changes in the way that Mansoul thought. Ill-pause is no longer able to send poisoned, lying words of rebellion about Emmanuel into the heart of Mansoul. The soul has started to seek the Lord for Salvation.
Death of Ill-pause.
On p 107 we read in rather low key language that Ill-pause fell by the hand of Captain Good-hope. The hope of heaven has made the un-believer hurry to Christ for salvation. He or she no longer wishes to delay and put off repentance. This is the most joyous sentence in the whole of the Holy War! We are reminded of 2 Cor 5 v 17 “ therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. Old Ill-pause is dead, time for the new man to appear. We are urged in
Heb 4 v 22 “that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”. Now that Ill-pause is dead the new birth can proceed.
The name of Ill Pause
Ill Pause is a mere Mr and not a Lord, so Ill Pause does not survive the conversion process. (see p 107). He makes a “low congee” (or bow) to Diabolus so must be of much inferior rank to Diabolus, and is a chattel or slave.
The word “pause” means a hesitation or break in the flow of speech. Ill-Pause is the personal demon who makes a soul hesitate to come to Christ for salvation. We could call Ill-Pause “Mr Procrastination”, or “Mr Put-It-Off”. He says to every Christian enquirer “Wait until you are old before you become a Christian. Enjoy your young life, make money and become a success, THEN when you are old and about to die repent of your sin and ask for forgiveness and salvation. This reminds us of the man who told the Lord Jesus that he would follow Him after his father had died. Christ replies in Matthew 8 v 22 follow me and let the dead bury their dead”. Putting it in the positive style, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6 v2). How do you know that you will outlive your parents? If you wait until they are dead before you follow Christ, you may never be saved. When the Lord Jesus reasons with a soul, He demands that we dispose of this procrastinating and delaying tactic. If you hear the Shepherd’s voice calling you today, then follow Him straight away. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me” ( John 10 v 27). Following the shepherd gives safety from predators such as wolves (Satan) and human adversaries. Christ’s sheep shall never perish (John 10 v 28).
He is referred to as “Old Ill-pause” on p 95. This is a term of familiarity. We all know Ill-pause from way back. He has been keeping us from becoming a Christian for years!
The nature of Ill-Pause.
Ill-pause is old.
The name Ill-Pause does not describe all the character of the demon as described by Bunyan. Ill-pause is an old man (see p 107). He has been around since the days of Adam and Eve (p 14), as it was Ill-Pause who reasoned with them and invited them to eat the forbidden fruit. “and first they did as Ill-Pause had taught them, and; they looked, they considered, they were taken with the forbidden fruit; they took thereof, and did eat; and having eaten, they became immediately drunken therewith”. He is also old in the sense that he represents the “Old man” or pre-conversion personality. Eph 4 v 22 urges us to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts”.
Ill-pause is Satan’s orator.
The first reference to Ill-pause is on p 10. “Nor took he (Diabolus) any with him, but one Ill-pause, who was his orator in all difficult matters”. This is re-affirmed on p 12 with “Then stood forth that he, Mr. Ill-pause that Diabolus brought with him, who was his orator”. Ill-pause has “stinking breath” which causes the death of Lord Innocency (p 13). The words of Ill-pause are poison, and the fall results from his words as seen in the previous quote from p 14. The fall resulted in sin and guilt entering the world. It can be taken as read that Ill-pause is a liar.
Emmanuel challenges Ill-pause.
In the narrative Emmanuel sends his four captains; Captain Boanerges, Captain Conviction, Captain Judgement, and Captain Execution to challenge Mansoul. Mansoul refuses to hear, but asks for more time to consider Emmanuel’s demands to surrender the City to Himself. The captain of Salvation replies by asking Mansoul to dispose of Ill-pause. He will give Mansoul more time to consider if they will dispose of the delaying mentality. It seems like a contradiction in terms, but Christ is re-affirming the urgency of the need to repent. On p 95 Ill-pause gives his reply. He challenges Emmanuel to take Mansoul by force. “I have in commandment from my high lord (Diabolus) to bid you to tell it to your Prince Emmanuel, that Mansoul and their king are resolved to stand and fall together; and that it is in vain for your prince to think of ever having Mansoul in his hand, unless he can take it by force”. Emanuel accepts the challenge and resolves to take Mansoul by force. “I must try the power of my sword, for I will not raise my siege and depart, but will assuredly take my Mansoul, and deliver it from the hand of her enemy”. The taking by force is consistent with the powerful verse in John 6 v 37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”.
Ill-pause is wounded.
Emmanuel has uttered strong words and has resolved to take Mansoul by force. This can only be achieved by the death of the old man Mr Ill-pause. On p 98 Ill-pause is wounded. He “received a grievous wound in the head; some say that his brain-pan was cracked. This I have taken notice of, that he was never after this able to do that mischief to Mansoul as he had done in times past”. Although not an outright death, this is the beginning of the end of Ill-pause. His skull was fractured resulting in changes in the way that Mansoul thought. Ill-pause is no longer able to send poisoned, lying words of rebellion about Emmanuel into the heart of Mansoul. The soul has started to seek the Lord for Salvation.
Death of Ill-pause.
On p 107 we read in rather low key language that Ill-pause fell by the hand of Captain Good-hope. The hope of heaven has made the un-believer hurry to Christ for salvation. He or she no longer wishes to delay and put off repentance. This is the most joyous sentence in the whole of the Holy War! We are reminded of 2 Cor 5 v 17 “ therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. Old Ill-pause is dead, time for the new man to appear. We are urged in
Heb 4 v 22 “that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”. Now that Ill-pause is dead the new birth can proceed.
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