Chapter Four - Interpreter's House

Plot Summary
Christian proceeds on the path to Interpreter's house. In the house there were seven places.

Place 1 - Man pleading with men
There was a picture of a man, holding a book, pleading with men.

Place 2 - Room full of dust
There was a living room that was full of dust. When the dust was swept, the dust flew everywhere. When water was sprinkled in the room, the dust was able to be swept up easily.

Place 3 - Passion and Patience sitting in chairs
There were two children sitting in chairs; Passion and Patience.

Passion represents the men of this world.

Patience represents the men of the world to come.

Place 4 - Fire burning against a wall
In this place, there was a fire burning against a wall. One is throwing water on it, and another, hidden behind the wall, was one secretly throwing oil on the fire.

Place 5 - Beautiful palace
There was a beautiful palace. Many men waited at the door, wanting to go in, but do not. At the door sat a man with book and pen. At the doorway were many men wearing armor. One man demanded to have his name written in the book. He then put on a helmet, attacked the guards, and forcefully gained entry to the palace, where he was warmly welcomed.

Acts 14:22 ..."We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God"

Place 6 - Backslider in an iron cage
There was a man, named Backslider, sitting in an iron cage in a dark room. Though he once professed Christ, he is now in a place of misery.

Backslider makes several statements, the veracity of which are not supported/denied by the text:

- God has placed in the cage

- God has denied him repentance

Place 7 - Unready's dream
There was a man in a room, named Unready, who was getting out of bed, shaking as he put on his clothes. He had had a dream where the Day of Judgement had come, and he was not ready for it.

New Characters
Passion

Patience

Backslider

Unready