In the classic allegory Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan explains the journey of a newly saved believer. Bunyan's story unfolded in a dream of a man named Christian. After reading a section of the Bible, Christian tells his wife and children that he must find a way to deliver them from the City of Destruction or they will be burned by the fire of Heaven. As Christian sat in a field crying for salvation, a man named Evangelist advised him to run toward a bright light that would lead him to the gate where he could learn how to be saved. During his journey to the Celestial City, Christian encountered people who tried to discourage him and lead him astray in many ways. Two of these deceiving people, Worldly Wiseman and Apollyon, symbolize the very common obstacles that occur in the path of believers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Worldly Wiseman was a man of high status in his hometown, Carnal Policy. He had great knowledge of how the world views morality. As he passed Christian he tried to convince him that going to the Celestial City was a waste of time. He told Christian not to take advice from the evangelist or read the Bible because to do so would only lead to danger and death. However, even though Mr. Worldly Wiseman seemed to know what he was talking about, he didn't. He tried to deceive Christian into believing that he could be happy and free from his burdens if only he lived a moral life. He considered people who took the hard road to the heavenly city to be foolish. (13-19) For the most part, Worldly Wiseman allegorically represents the world's disdain for having a relationship with God. The worldview, and that of the Worldly Wiseman, fits right into the Devil's plan because it makes people believe that if they are a good person will go to Heaven without having a relationship with God and without taking the sins out of their life, which is simply not true. Christian was misled by what Worldly Wiseman told him until the Evangelist found him again and set him back on the road to the Celestial City. Apollyon was a hideous beast in the Valley of Humiliation who believed himself to be lord and protector of all land. He despised the Prince (Jesus) and killed anyone who came looking for him. When Christian met Apollyon, he tried to instill fear in his heart. He told Christian to return to his home in the City of Destruction or he would kill him as he had done to the others who had come to find the Prince. Christian did not listen to him, but instead told him that he liked the things of the prince better than those of Apollyon and that he would not return to his former home but would continue on his journey. Hearing these things infuriated Apollyon and he decided to kill Christian. However Christian stood his ground and fought him for almost half a day. The battered and wounded things looked grim to Christian, but when Apollyon turned his back the Lord gave him the strength he needed to pierce the monster with his sword, and he flew away bringing victory to Christian. (63-69) Within the narrative, Apollyon symbolizes submission to worldly power and the loss of spiritual freedom. He sought to take away the Christian's freedom to choose a path to God. Apollyon is comparable to a dictator who demands that people under his rule not worship or follow God, but instead take part in worldly and sinful practices. This type of government is all too common in this world. It causes people to have less knowledge of God because they are afraid to share the Gospel in countries.