Today’s Devotional – February 20th (Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 1)
By admin On January 16th, 2021.
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Today’s Devotional – February 20th
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“Picture of a Very Grave Man”,
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Part 1
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“For as the crackling of thorns under a pot,
so is the laughter of the fool:
this also is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 7:6
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In John Bunyan’s incredible allegorical tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, was being shown various parabolic truths.
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He was shown “the man in the iron cage”.
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And he was shown “the two boys, Patience and Passion”, as well as “the man with the terrifying dream”, and “the man with the dirt brush”, etc…
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Pilgrims Progress title page third edition 1679 – Wikimedia Commons – public-domain
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THE PICTURE ON THE WALL
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But there was a very curious picture hanging on the wall, which Interpreter showed the Pilgrim. And this was a symbolic picture.
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But let’s listen to Bunyan, as he describes this picture…
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“So he (the Interpreter) commanded his man to light the Candle, and bid Christian follow him, so he led him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the Picture of a very grave Person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it. It had eyes lifted up to Heaven, the best of Books in his hand, the Law of Truth was written upon his lips, the World was behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded with men, and a Crown of Gold did hang over his head.”
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So here was a picture of a man who was totally dedicated to declaring God’s Word.
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And he obviously had left this sinful world behind him.
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His eyes were now fixed on Heaven.
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And he sought for that glorious, promised crown.
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Pilgrim’s Progress – Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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WHAT DID THIS PICTURE REPRESENT?
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Now just what did this picture represent?
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Again, hear what the Interpreter says to Christian…
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INTERPRETER: “The Man whose Picture this is, is one of a thousand…And whereas thou seest him with his eyes lift up to Heaven, the best of Books in his hand, and the Law of Truth written on his lips, it is to shew thee that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men; and whereas thou seest the World as cast behind him, and that a Crown hangs over his head, that is to shew thee that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master’s service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have Glory for his reward.”
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So here is a symbolic picture of total dedication! Yes, this man in this picture is a symbol of a true Christian.
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A watchful Christian.
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A serious-minded person of God.
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Pilgrim’s Progress – Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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WHAT POINT WAS INTERPRETER MAKING?
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Now just what was Interpreter getting at? Why was he showing the Pilgrim this strange picture?
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Well, once more, let’s listen to Bunyan explain just what significance did this curious picture have?
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“Now,” said the Interpreter, “I have shewed thee this Picture first, because the Man whose Picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going, hath authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way; wherefore take good heed to what I have shewed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in thy Journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death.”
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So, the Interpreter was giving Christian a warning to beware of those who give advice to pilgrims who are in difficult circumstances.
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To beware to only receive advice from those like the man in the picture.
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Pilgrim’s Progress – Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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GIDDINESS AND SILLINESS TODAY
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Now in this modern-day world, if you told someone that the Christian must be grave, they wouldn’t know what you were talking about!
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They would laugh-you-to-scorn! After all, few see Gravity as being a virtue!
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No, we live in a very giddy, light, and frivolous culture today. Everyone’s a joker, it almost seems! And this is okay. After all, they are of the world!
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So, what else can you expect from the world?
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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen 1888 WIKPEDIA – US PUBLIC DOMAIN
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LOVE, JOY, PEACE, CONTENTMENT
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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” Galatians 5:22
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Now the Devil loves to whisper in the ears of naïve Christians, that the Christian life is a joyless and bleak existence!
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But nothing could be further from the truth!
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This above verse from Galatians reveals that the very first qualities of the Christian life are, “love, joy, peace…”
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And these three qualities can only be truly experienced by the child of God. Oh yes, the world has its own counterfeits of these Heavenly virtues. But all the giddiness, frivolity and vain laughter can never begin to come close to the true, “love, joy, peace…” which Christians experience!
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Christians have a “peace which surpasses all human understanding”! Philippians 4:7
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Woman with Bible – Braet von Überfeldt – 1866 – Wikimedia – US Public Domain
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THIS ARTICLE CONTINUED TOMORROW (click here)
Pilgrim’s Progress – Picture of Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law. (Psalm 119:18).
The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “April 17th (To Know Thee More!)”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
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THE NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY
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“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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
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That world-shaking allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, picked up the theme of the Narrow Gate. The hero of the story was Christian, a man who was warned to flee from the City of Destruction (the world), and to embark on a journey to the Heavenly City. And along the way, Christian encountered many adventures and dangers. This first of its kind allegorical book absolutely rocked the western world, and became perhaps the first million seller book (along with the Bible).
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But God has also given this same Narrow Way parable in the night heavens! Incredible? Yes, incredible…and amazing too! And though these two stars can hardly be considered a constellation, but when sitting next to the two stars which comprise the Broad Gate, well, it makes a powerful statement, for the people of God.
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So please come along on this journey and find out just why this pathway graces the night heavens, and perhaps you might find yourself embarking on your own pilgrimage up that very same Narrow pathway.
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John Bunyan – Wikipedia – Public Domain
Pilgrim’s Progress Enters The Wicket Gate – Wikipedia – public domain
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LOCATION
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This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter. Although it can be observed most of the winter, it is seen best when it is the western part of the sky, at winter’s end (The end of winter being the final scene of this heavenly Gospel story). Orion , the Dragon, and the Glorious White Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon (sketch to right is Winter Constellations descending into western horizon. This can actually be seen as early as December, in the pre-dawn hours).
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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor and Pollux (sketch to left). But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan. The two stars, Castor and Pollux, make up the concept of the Orion’s Narrow Gate Stars.
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This can even be observed into June in the western sky (for a short time just after dark). While a dark night is best for seeing the Woman Constellation, the 4 stars which comprise the Narrow Gate/Wide Gate Stars can be seen even under mediocre conditions. It begins with the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (AKA Ursa Major) going towards these two doors.
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The sketch to left shows, the two doors are each composed of two bright stars. The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle. The two stars that comprise the ‘Wide Gate’ Stars are the two brightest stars of the wave of water that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here). The stars that make up the ‘Narrow Gate’ are about half the width of the Wide Gate (see sketch below left).
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(For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here, “Orion The Reaper”. )
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Editor’s note: These sketches on this page are merely sketches. The stars are not in their exact place. However, they are close enough to find them in the night sky. But as with most stars, it takes persistence to finally locate them.
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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TOMORROW…
February 21st . . . . Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 2
Pilgrim’s Progress – Picture of Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH
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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
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THIS STUDY #51 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…
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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain