Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "pilgrims" refers to individuals who are on a spiritual journey, often characterized by a temporary sojourn in a foreign land, with the ultimate goal of reaching a promised or heavenly destination. This concept is deeply rooted in the narrative of the Bible, where the life of faith is frequently depicted as a pilgrimage.
Old Testament ContextThe idea of pilgrimage is first seen in the lives of the patriarchs. Abraham is a quintessential example of a pilgrim. In
Genesis 12:1, God calls Abram (later Abraham) to leave his country, his people, and his father's household to go to a land that God would show him. This call to leave behind the familiar and journey to an unknown land is a foundational aspect of the pilgrim experience.
Hebrews 11:8-10 reflects on this, stating, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country."
The Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent journey to the Promised Land is another significant pilgrimage narrative. This journey, marked by trials and divine guidance, symbolizes the spiritual journey of believers from bondage to freedom, from the temporal to the eternal.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of pilgrimage is expanded to encompass the Christian life as a whole. The Apostle Peter addresses believers as "foreigners and exiles" (
1 Peter 2:11), emphasizing the transient nature of earthly life and the believer's status as a pilgrim on the way to a heavenly home. This theme is echoed in
Hebrews 11:13-16 , which speaks of the faithful as "strangers and exiles on the earth," who "were longing for a better country—a heavenly one."
The life of Jesus Christ also embodies the pilgrim motif. His incarnation can be seen as a divine pilgrimage, leaving the glory of heaven to dwell among humanity. Jesus' earthly ministry was marked by movement and mission, culminating in His journey to Jerusalem, where He would fulfill His redemptive work.
Spiritual SignificanceFor Christians, the pilgrimage is not merely a physical journey but a spiritual one. It involves a continual process of sanctification, as believers seek to live according to God's will and grow in Christlikeness. The pilgrim's path is often fraught with challenges, but it is also marked by divine presence and guidance.
Psalm 84:5 captures this sentiment: "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage."
The pilgrim journey is ultimately a journey toward God, with the hope of eternal life in His presence.
Revelation 21:3-4 offers a vision of the pilgrim's final destination: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.'"
ConclusionThe biblical concept of pilgrimage serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing faith, obedience, and the hope of a future inheritance. As pilgrims, believers are called to live as citizens of heaven, journeying through this world with their eyes fixed on the eternal promises of God.
Greek
4638. skenoma -- a tent... tent ("tabernacle," Ac 7:46); (figuratively) the physical body, serving as God's
vehicle (dwelling place) -- ie as believers live as ("
pilgrims") the Lord in
...Library
HappyPilgrims
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV HAPPYPILGRIMS. 'Blessed is... Zion. II. And now
notice the blessedness of thepilgrims' experience. If...
ThePilgrims of Jesus.
... THEPILGRIMS OF JESUS. 7,6,7,6 Joseph of the Studium. O happy band ofpilgrims,.
If onward ye will tread. With JESUS as your Fellow. To JESUS as your Head!...
ThePilgrims.
... NATIONAL HYMNS. 843. " ThePilgrims. 843. CM C. Sprague. ThePilgrims.
1 Our fathers, Lord, to seek a spot Where they might...
Pilgrims of the Victorious Life
... CHAPTER THIRTEENPILGRIMS OF THE VICTORIOUS LIFE.PILGRIMS OF THE VICTORIOUS
LIFE Please tell me, will you, if a really victorious...
O Food toPilgrims Given
... No. 57 O Food toPilgrims Given. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT O Food toPilgrims Given
O Esca Viatorum. 17th Century H. Isaak (1493) Translated by Rt. Rev. Msgr....
April 26. "Strangers andPilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13).
... APRIL 26. "Strangers andpilgrims" (Heb. xi. 13). "Strangers andpilgrims"
(Hebrews 11:13). If you have ever tried to plough a...
O Happy Band ofPilgrims
... PROCESSIONALS Processionals 536. O happy band ofpilgrims. 7.6.7.6 [2095]Knecht:...
John Mason Neale, 1862; Alt. O happy band ofpilgrims,. If onward ye will tread....
Sunday after Ascension Day. These all Confessed that they were...
... These all confessed that they were strangers andpilgrims on the earth. . . .... These
all confessed that they were strangers andpilgrims on the earth. . . ....
The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... Nearly every pilgrim in Canaan has met Giant Bad Feelings, a doughty
old giant with a long bad record for troublingpilgrims....
In the Dungeon of Giant Discourager
... Somepilgrims are fortunate in passing through it quickly, while others, coming
under the spell of two old giants who live there, have a very hard time passing...
Thesaurus
Pilgrims (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Pilgrims (2 Occurrences). Hebrews 11:13 These
all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
...Mizpeh (24 Occurrences)
... Two days later he murdered a company ofpilgrims, throwing their dead bodies into
the great cistern which Asa had made when strengthening the place against...
Ephesus (20 Occurrences)
... The wealthy king Croesus supplied it with many of its stone columns, and thepilgrims
from all the oriental world brought it of their wealth....
Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... Two days later he murdered a company ofpilgrims, throwing their dead bodies into
the great cistern which Asa had made when strengthening the place against...
Exiles (46 Occurrences)
... in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them
from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers andpilgrims on the...
Dayspring (2 Occurrences)
... The unfortunatepilgrims, overtaken by the night, are sitting down expecting
death, when suddenly a star brightly beams above them....
Pilgrim
... 2. (n.) One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some holy place or shrine
as a devotee; as, a pilgrim to Loretto; Canterburypilgrims. See Palmer....
Cilicia (8 Occurrences)
... Minor. Through these passes the armies and thepilgrims, the trade and
the travel of the centuries have made their way. Alexander...
Aliens (53 Occurrences)
... in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them
from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers andpilgrims on the...
Strangers (95 Occurrences)
... in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them
from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers andpilgrims on the...
Resources
Who are the Hospitaller Knights? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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