Just before Christian and Hopeful came to the end of the Enchanted Ground, where they nearly went to sleep, Hopeful chanced to glance behind them and saw Ignorance coming in the distance.

“Let’s wait for him” said Christian, “and see if he has profited by our former conversation.”

So they waited until Ignorance rather unwillingly caught up with them. It was very evident that he had no desire for their company, and before they had gone very far together he plainly told them that he preferred to walk by himself.  However, he answered their questions, and they soon found out that he was still of his old opinion, he believed that he could merit heaven by a good life and right thoughts.

Christian told him that he was like his name:  he was ignorant of Christ’s righteousness and of God’s way of salvation; he was ignorant also of the sinfulness of his own heart and of his inability to do anything to save himself.

Ignorance had no desire to talk further with the two pilgrims, so he asked them to go on and allow him to follow.  So Christian and Hopeful left Ignorance and went along talking about helpful and encouraging subjects until they reached the end of the Enchanted Ground.

Just beyond the Enchanted Ground, Christian and Hopeful reached Beulah Land.  This was quite different from anything they had seen.  Birds were constantly filling the air with sweet songs; flowers were springing from the earth; the voice of the dove of peace was heard from morning until night.

 

Looking backward over the way they had come, they could not even see Doubting Castle and the land of the Giant Despair.  But looking ahead they could see the Celestial City much more plainly than they had been able to view it from the Hill Clear in the Delectable Mountains.

“Oh, look!” exclaimed Christian.  “We can see the pearls and precious stones with which the city is built.  We can see the shining streets of gold!”

Both of them were filled with joy, for they knew that they were nearing the end of their pilgrimage.  But as they looked, the brightness of the reflection of the glory so overcame them that for a while they were unable to continue their journey.  They were taken then to the King’s gardens, orchards and vineyards.  Here they found fruit more sweet than they had ever eaten, and they were refreshed and strengthened to go on.

They rested overnight in this beautiful and pleasant place and in the morning again set out upon their journey.  They were soon met by two men in shining garments whose faces shone with the light of heaven.

“Who are you?” asked the men, “and from where do you come?”

“We are pilgrims,” replied the two travelers.  “We have come a long way and have had many trials and difficulties.  There have been many dangers, but by the grace of God we have come safely through them all.  There have been also many blessings and comforts on the way. It has been a good way, for we have seen God’s hand in the midst of trials.  He had been our strength in time of temptation.  He has been our Guide when the way was dark and hard.  He has comforted us in our sorrow and given us joy beyond measure, and we can say as one of old said, ‘There hath not failed one word of all His good promise.’  Now we are nearing the end of our journey.  We can see the glory of the city just ahead.”

“Yes,” replied the men, “it is not far away.  This Land of Beulah is at the very border of heaven.  The bird songs you hear speak of eternal joy.  The flowers you see appearing on every hand are emblems of new life—eternal life which God gives to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The voice of the turtle dove tells of peace—peace with God which the Lord Jesus secured by His death on the cross, and also of the eternal peace of God which fills the city to which you go and from whence we have come.

“You have not much farther to go nor many more difficulties to meet until you shall enter into the joy of your Lord and be forever with Him.”

These words brought even more joy to the hearts of Christian and Hopeful, and they asked the men to accompany them the remainder of the way.

“We will go with you now,” said the Shining Ones, “but there is a part of the way you must go alone.”

So, the four of them walked together toward the beautiful Celestial City.

Boys and girls who accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior will be able to say with Christian and Hopeful, “We have come a long way and have known His blessing through it all.  ‘There hath not failed one word of all His good promise.’ “

“My Savior comes and walks with me,
And sweet communion here have we;
He gently leads me by His hand,
For this is Heaven’s borderland.”
--Edgar Page