Land of Beulah, Zion
After this I beheld until they were come unto the Land of Beulah, where the sun shineth night and day. Here, because they was weary, they betook themselves a while to rest. And because this Country was common for Pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here belonged to the King of the Celestial Country, therefore they were licensed to make bold with any of His things. But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sound so melodiously, that they could not sleep; and yet they received as much refreshing as if they had slept their sleep never so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that walked the streets, was, More Pilgrims are come to Town. And another would answer, saying, And so many went over the water, and were let in at the Golden Gates to-day. They would cry again, There is now a legion of Shining Ones just come to Town, by which we know that there are more Pilgrims upon the road, for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after all their sorrow. Then the Pilgrims got up and walked to and fro; but how were their ears now filled with Heavenly noises, and their eyes delighted with Celestial visions! In this Land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing, tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when they tasted of the Water of the River over which they were to go, they thought that tasted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweeter when 'twas down.
In this place there was a Record kept of the names of them that had been Pilgrims of old, and a History of all the famous acts that they had done. It was here also much discoursed how the river to some had had its flowings, and what ebbings it has had while others have gone over. It has been in a manner dry for some, while it has overflowed its banks for others.
In this place the children of the Town would go into the King's Gardens and gather nosegays for the Pilgrims, and bring them to them with much affection. Here also grew camphire with spikenard and saffron calamus and cinnamon, with all its trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices. With these the Pilgrim's chambers were perfumed while they stayed here, and with these were their bodies anointed, to prepare them to go over the river when the time appointed was come.
Now while they lay here and waited for the good hour, there was a noise in the Town that there was a post come from the Celestial City, with matter of great importance to one Christiana the wife of Christian the Pilgrim. So enquiry was made for her, and the house was found out where she was. So the Post presented her with a Letter, the contents whereof was, Hail, good woman, I bring thee Tidings that the Master calleth for thee, and expecteth that thou shouldest stand in His presence in clothes of Immortality, within this ten days.
When he had read this Letter to her, he gave her therewith a sure token that he was a true messenger, and was come to bid her make haste to be gone. The token was an arrow with a point sharpened with love, let easily into her heart, which by degrees wrought so effectually with her, that at the time appointed she must be gone.
When Christiana saw that her time was come, and that she was the first of this company that was to go over, she called for Mr Great-heart her Guide, and told him how matters were. So he told her he was heartily glad of the news, and could have been glad had the post come for him. Then she bid that he should give advice how all things should be prepared for her journey. So he told her, saying, Thus and thus it must be, and we that survive will accompany you to the river-side.
Then she called for her children, and gave them her Blessing, and told them that she yet read with comfort the mark that was set in their foreheads, and was glad to see them with her there, and that they had kept their garments so white. Lastly, she bequeathed to the poor that little she had, and commanded her sons and her daughters to be ready against the messenger should come for them.
When she had spoken these words to her Guide and to her children, she called for Mr Valiant-for-truth, and said unto him, Sir, you have in all places shewed yourself true-hearted, be faithful unto death, and my King will give you a Crown of Life. I would also entreat you to have an eye to my children, and if at any time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons' wives, they have been faithful, and a fulfilling of the promise upon them will be their end. But she gave Mr Stand-fast a ring.
Then she called for old Mr Honest, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile. Then said he, I wish you a fair day when you set out for Mount Zion, and shall be glad to see that you go over the river dry-shod. But she answered, Come wet, come dry, I long to be gone, for however the weather is in my journey, I shall have time enough when I come there to sit down and rest me and dry me.
Then came in that good man Mr Ready-to-halt to see her. So she said to him, Thy travel hither has been with difficulty, but that will make thy rest the sweeter. But watch and be ready, for at an hour when you think not, the Messenger may come.
After him came in Mr Despondency and his daughter Much-afraid, to whom she said, You ought with thankfulness for ever to remember your deliverance from the hands of Giant Despair and out of Doubting Castle. The effect of that Mercy is, that you are brought with safety hither. Be ye watchful and cast away fear, be sober and hope to the end.
Then she said to Mr Feeble-mind, Thou wast delivered from the mouth of Giant Slay-good, that thou mightest live in the Light of the Living for ever, and see thy King with comfort. Only I advise thee to repent thee of thine aptness to fear and doubt of his goodness before He sends for thee, lest thou shouldest when He comes, be forced to stand before Him for that fault with blushing.
Now the day drew on that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But behold all toe banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the City Gate. So she came forth and entered the river, with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the river-side. The last word she was heard to say here was, I come Lord, to be with Thee and bless Thee.
Interpretation:
John Bunyan takes pilgrims to an intermediate place between the Inchanted ground and the Celestial City and calls this place the Land of Buelah where they have to wait for the post to be received for entering the said City after crossing over the river. "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married" (Isaiah 62:4). This is not a forsaken land like the City of Destruction. Nor is it a desolate land wherein fiends haunt us.
This is the Promised Land for us under the New Covenant as described in 3rd and 4th Chapters of Hebrew. God rested on the seventh day and ceased to work. Likewise, this is a place of rest for us as we have to cease from our own works and to do the perfect will of God in our ministries. We have to do what the Lord calls us to and should not be all-rounders doing those ministries for which God has not called us. Everyone has a peculiar ministry to perform. The people of Israel did not enter the promised land by faith with the result that God had to destroy them. By faith, we should enter this land. In this place, we have a powerful ministry to perform. Legions of angels are with us to help us perform our ministries. Read Isaiah 35:1 to 10 prayerfully. No lion or even beasts would haunt us here. The Appolyon has no power over us in this land. No giants or evil beasts are seen in this land. Even if these evil beasts or the Appoloyon oppress the people whom we minister and deliver, they will flee from us without any resistance because we stand in the land of Buelah and minister.
Please take time to read blogs in my website Our Promised Land.