The Pilgrim's Progress: II. The Kingdom

Christian: Neighbours, wherefore are you come?

Obstinate and Pliable: To persuade you to go back with us.

Christian: That can by no means be; you dwell in the City of Destruction (the place also where I was born); I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away [1 Peter 1: 4]; and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there [Hebrews 11: 16], to be bestowed on them that diligently seek it.

Pliable: If what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours. Tell us now further what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going?

Christian: There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever [Isaiah 65: 17; John 10: 27-29]. There are crowns of glory to be given us; and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven [2 Timothy 4: 8; Revelation 3: 4; Matthew 13: 43]. There shall be no more crying nor sorrow; for He that is the owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes [Isaiah 25: 8; Revelation 7: 16-17; 21: 4]. There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims [Isaiah 6: 2; 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17; Revelation 5: 11], creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them: there also we shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loving, and holy: everyone walking in the sight of God, and standing in His presence with acceptance for ever. There we shall see the elders with their golden crowns [Revelation 4: 4]: there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps [Revelation 14: 1-5]: there we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burned in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love that they bare to the Lord of the place [John 12: 25], all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment.

[2 Corinthians 5: 2-4]