Escape from Paradise Chapter 11 Study Questions

Chapter 11 MeaningsBeing Taken

Watson’s face goes white at the news that his dear sister has been “taken.” Being taken by the little ones represents becoming captive to sin. Paul refers to our former life as unbelievers as the time when we were slaves to sin (Romans 6:20). That enslavement ends at conversion (v.22), however, even believers can voluntarily re-enslave themselves. When we give control to the flesh, we find our best efforts to forsake certain sins unsuccessful (Galatians 5:17).

Note: While Escape from Paradise is a parable of coming to salvation, At War with the Wind is a parable of a believer trying to escape bondage to a sin to which she has enslaved herself.

Giants and Children

Apparent physical size, in the story, represents greatness in the eyes of men. The “great ones” were seen as giants by the people in the lowlands because those people had such high regard for them. The same men were seen as small in the high country because people there saw their true stature.

In our society, the “great ones” are the celebrities. It’s not uncommon to hear them described as “larger than life”—even at their funerals!

But from a biblical point of view, pop stars, athletes, and movie stars who reject Christ are not great in any sense. They are fools with such miniscule souls that they care about nothing beyond this world.

The truly great ones are people who are lowly and unimportant in the world’s eyes. This is why I depicted believers as children.

The small stature of the mountain people in the story illustrates not only the low opinion the world has of believers, but also our humility. Jesus was clear that we cannot enter heaven unless we become like a little child (Matthew 18:3).

The War, the Warriors, and the Wild Animals

The conflict between the cottage people and the warriors represents spiritual warfare—the battle between believers and demons.

While the lowlanders (unbelievers) see the cottage people (Christians) as enemies, the cottage people understand their opponents are the warriors (demons), not the lowlanders. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spirits (Ephesians 6:12).

The wild animals, who are the regional powers ruling the warriors, represent demons in the hierarchy of authority in the spiritual world. These beings are mentioned in Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:16, 2:15, 1 Peter 3:22, and possibly Romans 8:38.

Study Questions

EXCERPT

“There are far worse fates than what happened to those people.”
   “Worse than having your chest ripped open?” -p.92

QUESTION 1

What does it mean to be afraid of God as the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell rather than fearing those who can kill the body? (Matthew 10:28)

QUESTION 2

Consider the logic Jesus uses in Matthew 5:29—30. Is there some area of your thinking that needs to be corrected by that logic (It would be better to lose _____ than to have an eternally negative outcome)?

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