The question is, in what way are they "witnesses"? . Birds gather together in clouds. Do people become angels when they die? We join the roll call with the people of Israel who were part of the . I. What is the significance of The Parable of the Good Samaritan? From many ages, of both sexes, and in all positions of life. The witnesses are a reference to the great heroes of the faith listed in the preceding chapter. What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53? 12-9-22. cntrUpTag.track('cntrData', 'e2d0203af72aea64'); Wherefore seeing we also are compassed aboutwith so great acloud of witnesses. Hebrews 13:5-6 says: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. The great cloud of witnesses, not our loved ones watching us from heaven, is actually the saints listed in chapter 11. The confusion regarding Hebrews 12:1 would never have come about had people stayed with the context instead of quoting that single verse. Fear nothing fear no one. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith . OUR VISION is to take the Gospel both to our nearby world and to the ends of the earth, proclaiming Christ, and warning and teaching every man with all wisdom, in order that we may present every person fully mature in Christ Jesus. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. lost dogs mn John G. Lake was known as God's "Apostle to Africa". There's Abraham, Isaac and my buddy Rich. Topics: Heaven. Saints like Bernard of Clairvaux, Teresa of Avila, Francis de Sales, William Law, Martin Luther, Catherine of Sienna and Mother Teresa say to us, "Look what God has done. God has given us a powerful weapon to use against any attack on our faith. Dear friends, let us be faithful in teaching and preaching Gods Word rightly divided while we still have opportunity! Born in Canada in 1870, his family soon relocated to the United States, where he grew up. They form a "great cloud of witnesses" cheering us on. Your faith will carry you through!. By Got Questions . (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE) They are the ones who have given us the gift of their testimony, of their lives well-lived, imperfect and feeble as they may have been. Lord, thank You for reminding me that I am not the first to walk by faith. The world wants to cover up its sins. Other interpreters, however, do not see these witnesses as actual spectators, but rather as examples of those who have successfully run the race. So when you have become illuminated with direction for your life, business, family, or ministry, you need to know that the contest has just begun. Can I ask God to deliver a message to a loved one who has died? So today I look to You to give me everything I inwardly need to keep marching ahead in order to achieve the things You have ordained for me! In Hebrews 12:1 the writer encourages his readers and us by saying (HCSB) "Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. It comes as a surprise to many that the Bible can be used to teach just about anything. All eyes are on you. Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE) Hebrews 12: 1-2 Therefore, we too, having around our great cloud of witnesses, let us shed all weight and the sin that beset us, and patiently run the race that lies ahead, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, which for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the reproach, and sat down at the right hand of the throne . In Hebrews 12:1, the Holy Spirit is emphasizing: Youre not alone! Let me stress again that the Greek word nephos (clouds) depicted the highest seats in a sports stadium. $40.10. A candlelit, very personal live acoustic rendition of Carolyn's song "Great Cloud of Witnesses", performed on a Gibson B25 acoustic guitar and surrounded by . Theyre all cheering you on to victory! He will come and save you." (Isa. The devil hates it when people take a stand of faith or when they do something that benefits the Kingdom of God and drives back darkness. They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation. Just as you are taking steps of obedience now, the bleachers of Heaven are filled with people who have already faced the enemy and won their fight. Welcome to Borderpolar's Among Us guide, containing everything you need to know about 2020's massive party game hit. Interestingly, according to the book of the Revelation, during the seven-year Tribulation, during Israels program, martyred Jews in heaven will be aware of their brethren suffering at the hands of the Antichrist down on earth (Revelation 6:9-11). You are on the field. The Lord is not only with the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, the witnesses of faith that went before us and lived by faith; He is also here with us today, and we as people of faith are today's cloud. The New International Version Study Bible footnote points out that the Greek word translated witnesses is the origin of the English word martyr and means testifiers, witnesses. They bear witness to the power of faith and to Gods faithfulness.. But is this really the picture that Hebrews 12:1 means to convey to us? 35:3,4) God's saints through the centuries are also part of that great cloud of witnesses. Vineyard leader John Wimber once said, "The economy of the kingdom of God is quite simple. They testify to God's faithfulness, that He will see them through all the vicissitudes of life. Henry Ward Beecher. What is the matrix in the King James Bible. Home Newborn children. What should you do to stir yourself up and get encouraged when you are in the middle of a battle? When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with Old Testament saints scattered mystically throughout the glorious white billows. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Prophetic Dream - Great Cloud of Witnesses since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us run with endurance the race that is set before us I woke up with fire in my heart early on Tuesday morning, 9th March 2021 because of a strange dream. Permissions The Great Cloud of Witnesses: Hebrews 12:1. Cheering me on each step that I go. The fight of faith is on! This portrays the idea of being completely encircled by something that is stacked high on every side. What would be the Bibles view; what would be the Bible believers position? Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer. We spent quite a lot of time thinking about the great cloud of witnesses which surrounds us, not just those who have gone before but also those who walk with us today: friends . 439 views, 13 likes, 13 loves, 32 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church: You can find our digital connect card,. Why heavenly inhabitants look at Earth. Stephen Freeman. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The second part of the word, keimai, means to lie down. Can you say why they are your favorites or why you find yourself relating to them so much? The people in the great cloud of witnesses watch us from heaven in order to help support us in our spiritual journeys. Beloved, context is critical during Bible study. The Greek word nephos, translated clouds, has an additional meaning that is very exciting when understood in this context. Who is the great cloud of witnesses of Hebrews 12:1? What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53? Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Those who are mentioned before our reading today include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Still, even if the chapter break causes us to overlook the previous verses, the first word of Hebrews 12:1 shows us that there is more to the concept than what is found in that verse. In fact, even their weakness has been a gift to us, because it reminds us that no one is able to finish the race on their own strength. " God wanted us to see how much they can help us. Fr. Some Bible interpreters have suggested that these heroes of faith, plus all who have run the race successfully before us, are actually aware of our race and are observing us. "Celebrating the Goodness of God with All the Saints" was the theme for our 25th Annual Celtic Prayer Retreat this past weekend. Rather than doubt my abilities, I confess that His ability is working inside me. They faced the impossible; they accomplished the unthinkable; and they stand as proof that you can make it too. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 1. It's the great cloud of witnesses. Since God chose each of them to give witness to some element of what He wants or expects of His people, taken together they have become our " great cloud of witnesses. These cookies do not store any personal information. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I do not think anyone can honestly read the last verses of this chapter (Hebrews 11:34-40) and then go . Our assumption is that believers in heaven do indeed remember us, and they know we are still here on earth (because they see we are not in heaven with them), but we see no reason why they would need to watch us. Colossians 1:28, 2022 Rick Renner Ministries. THE NUMBER OF THE WITNESSES. It's the great cloud of witnesses. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,". . As Bible students, we are bound to study the Bible about the matter. Faith During Lifes Storms #4 | 333 Words of Grace. Stand strong, confidently, be bold and match forward; accomplish your course. What they never do is quote the Scripture in its context; they seize Israels verses and apply them to us, they take verses that apply to Jesus Christ and apply them to us, they take verses that apply to the Body of Christ (us) and make them fit with Israel. Jesus the magnificent, Jesus the giant, Jesus the compassionate, Jesus the dynamic-the wonder of the centuries. Let us not lose sight of our Christian ambassadorship. So, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. You can do it! They may quote a few Bible verses here and there, or use a few Bible terms here and there, but they fabricate the rest of their Christian doctrine (using extra-biblical books, their imagination, et cetera). While these witnesses are aware of our spiritual progress on. | For What Saith the Scriptures? Notice Hebrews 12:1-2: [1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The first word of Hebrews 12:1whereforepoints back to Hebrews chapter 11. Do you see the word cloud in the verse above? 3. Who are your favorite Old Testament characters? August 11, 2016. This is the great cloud of witnesses in Heaven (see Hebrews 12:1). Privacy Just listen with the ears of faith, and youll hear them saying, Go for it! It was to these people of faith that God promised an earthly kingdom, a kingdom that He had promised since He created the world (Matthew 25:34). Why does the King James Bible say, pisseth against the wall?, How was Jesus the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world?. Their Old Testament stories give testimony to the blessings of choosing faith over fear. Those who ask this question are often directed to Hebrews 12:1. Who are "the cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. March 25, 2015. That discernment process included connecting with the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in the scripture. They testify to Gods faithfulness, that He will see them through all the vicissitudes of life. Believing Jews living during the awful events of the seven-year Tribulation will be reminded of those saints of old who endured persecution and yet God was faithful in delivering them (Hebrews 11:33-38). The so great a cloud of witnesses is here with us, surrounding us, looking upon us and interceding for us. Finally, it should be noted that Romans through Philemon, Pauls epistles, never say that deceased believers in heaven watch us in this the Dispensation of Grace1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 seems to have been the place to write it, had it been true. Can people in heaven look down and see us? . This is a powerful image because it jogs our memory to the fact that our walk of faith will remove us from the spectator sections and will put us right in the middle of the fight! They say the finish is worth every inch of the road. cntrUpTag.track('cntrData', '792af70f56c54e86'); We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Others have walked this walk before me, and they did it with power and with grace. We focus on him as we run our . I lean on the Holy Spirit His mind, His power, and His grace and these divine forces enable me to successfully achieve the things He has designed for me to do today. What does Anathema Maranatha mean in 1 Corinthians 16:22? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. When these two words are compounded into one word, they mean to lie around, as if something has been piled high and is lying all around you on every side. But if youll look up into the bleachers of Heaven for just a moment, youll see that they are stacked all the way to the clouds with people just like you! It is definitely a common view (I used to believe it), but is it a Scriptural view? Chapter 11 is often referred to as the great roll call of the faithful and leads up to the "great cloud of witnesses" reference at the beginning of chapter 12. "1) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1 . Will we remember our earthly lives when we are in Heaven? Will Graham Devotion: When My Grandfather Reached Heaven, Will Graham Devotion: When My Grandfather Entered Heaven. Logically, we must look at chapter 11 if we are to understand the opening statements of chapter 12. The writer opens chapter twelve with a profound . The word peri means around, as to be completely encircled by something. In this verse, the writer portrays the earth-bound Christian as being in an amphitheater of life, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. The setting implies that of an athletic event, like a footrace. With my Grandad Wilfred, my Nana Bernice. Feeding the 4,000 and feeding the 5,000same or different? Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations), BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED. If you ignore the context of a verse, you will absolutely miss the Bibles teaching in that verse. If God will comfort those believing Jews during the worst period of human history, surely, God will comfort us in our Dispensation of Grace, to one day deliver us and usher us into our heavenly kingdom. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 This is largely because of the chapter break. By BGEA Staff 2022 BGEA Contact Us. If you had gone to a sports competition with a ticket for one of these seats, your usher might have said, Your seat is in the clouds today. This meant youd be seated in the highest row available in the bleachers. Answer Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Our attention is called, not merely to a cloud, but to so great a cloud. THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set . A Cloud of Witnesses the Greatest Men in the World for Christ an. God will keep His promise to those saints to bring them through the Tribulation and into their earthly kingdom, so we can be sure He will keep His promises that He made to us in Pauls epistles! Is it really true that angels watch us? Moses is there, up in his seat. Free shipping. Receive his words as gift-and keep singing. The grandstands of Heaven all the way up to the clouds, the highest seats in the bleachers, are piled high with people who stood the test of time and eventually saw their faith manifested.. Hebrews Eleven is known as the Hall of Faith because of all the references to men and women of faith who have gone on before and shown us the way of faith. 2 Years After Billy Grahams Passing, Will Graham Reflects on Promise of Heaven, 5 Answers from Billy Graham on End of Life, Death. Thus, this verse carries the following idea: Wherefore seeing we have lying all around us on every side. or Wherefore seeing these biblical examples who are piled up and lying all around us. But to make this point even stronger, the Holy Spirit uses the word clouds. Why is this so vital? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This would seem to be the most likely interpretation. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1 Do you see the word "cloud" in the verse above? Cloud Of Witnesses: Royal Prerogatives /Jesus Christ - J H. Thomson (Reformed) $35.00. WEB: Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset. It describes clouds just like the clouds you see in the sky. So, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. These heavenly dwellers stand at a point of observation in Heaven to see whether there is anything good happening to their relatives and friends on Earth. The great cloud of witnesses reminds us that we all have the same faith, and in Christs name we may persevere in our faith in spite of all obstacles and may attempt equally great tasks. We might be a small church, but we are witnesses to a great God. Cloud of Witnesses bible verse. Rest assured that they are at peace, and one day we will meet them, to be with them and the Lord Jesus Christ forever. Click here to read Denises latest blog Why is it important to read the Christmas story? who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. The "great cloud of witnesses" reminds us that we all have the same faith, and in Christ's name we may persevere in our faith in spite of all obstacles and may attempt equally great tasks. To be with Christ; which is far better (Philippians 1:23). We have seen before (see January 24) that the phrase compassed about is taken from the word peikeimenai, which is a compound of the words peri and keimai. The cloud of witnesses today is the church; the Lord is in the cloud - He is with the people of faith. Whether we shall be impressed by the number of the witnesses depends altogether on the spirit in . Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Hover to zoom. ( Hebrews 12:1-2) Also our coach, Jesus, stands at the finish line. If we listen and seek to trust and follow each lesson their life and testimony was recorded to give us, it becomes easier to . How has your life changed since God spoke to you and gave you a specific assignment? The Book of Hebrews uses is image to describe the assembly of the church triumpant all of God's holy ones his saints who have died and now live in God's presence forever. It is taken from the Greek word nephos. Copyright 2002-2022 Got Questions Ministries. No. The author of Hebrews encourages believing Jews to endure the adversity and persecution of the future seven-year Tribulation. In context, the cloud of witnesses must refer to the people in the previous chapter. For now, we must remember that our earthly ministry must be completed. Brother Ken Sehested is a song leader in that great cloud of witnesses. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Does Hebrews 12:1 suggest that our loved ones in heaven are watching us live our lives right now? Hebrews 11:39 says, And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. These saints are still waiting to see their kingdom, thousands of years later! I hear in the distance the roar of a crowd. All Rights Reserved. Free shipping. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The entire heaven is focusing on you. Where in the Bible did Peter say he could not be crucified like his Lord? Nothing to see here. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All rights reserved. Some see in Hebrews 12:1 the idea that people in heaven might be able to look down and see us: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. **ATTENTION: Dear readers, as of late 2022, special-edition Q&A article #1000 is still in development. Like an opponent would do in a natural fight, Satan may try to wrestle you, pin you down, or even try to knock you out of the race altogether. David Wilkerson. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Also see: Why does the Bible say Jesus was hanged on a tree?. In ancient, classical Greek times, the word clouds was used to describe the highest seats in the bleachers of a stadium. | For What Saith the Scriptures? The seats at the very top of the stadium were called the clouds because they were so high up in the air. Will we be able to see and know our friends and family members in Heaven? These Tribulation saints are encouraged to endure those seven yearsthe race of Hebrews 12:1by following the ensamples of the saints of old (that great cloud of witnesses of Gods faithfulness, the importance of relying on Him). Hebrews chapter 11 lists many Old Testament saints: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sara, Joseph, Moses, Israelites who left Egypt, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, the prophets, et cetera. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. He wouldnt ask me if He didnt think I could do it. At the end of the world, the Savior will descend in a cloud with power and great glory. After a process of discerning, we felt called to step out in faith, to leave what we knew, and go to the land he would show us to start something new. Hebrews 12:1. For the gospel, there is nothing you cannot do on this earth. Why did Peter and John need to lay hands on the Samaritans for them to receive the Holy Ghost? How Can I Know for Sure Ill Go to Heaven? They wrestyes, wrestle with!the Scriptures as the Apostle Peter says (2 Peter 3:15-16)! Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. The world is still waiting to see him as he is. Wherefore means as a result of which. Hebrews 12:1 is the result, the conclusion, so we must look to the previous verses to grasp its meaning. Andy Wade -. Nothing can stop you; neither Satan . The author of Hebrews encourages believing Jews to endure the adversity and persecution of the future seven-year Tribulation. Solicitation Disclosure Statement I confess that I can do whatever God asks me to do! That passage ends with the stirring call . We all have our own personal cloud of witnesses. Can a fuller understanding of the heroes of the faith and the great cloud of witnesses help us rediscover the purpose and focus of Reformation Day? If you study the cults in professing Christianity, they all quote Scripture to some extent, and they even use verses to teach some very strangeand absurdmaterial! June 1, 2004 If they were able to do it, I know I can do it too, but I must have Your assistance to make it all the way through. 2. It is taken from the Greek word nephos.It describes clouds just like the clouds you see in the sky.When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with Old Testament saints scattered mystically throughout the . I heard Trygve Johnson, Dean of the Chapel at Hope College in Holland, Michigan (see p. 16), preach on the "heroes of faith" passage in Hebrews. Privacy Policy | Return/Refund Policy. The great number of the Jews furnishes us with a sufficient cloud of witnesses that attest the truth of the Bible. ." The "witnesses" are the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, and the fact that we are "surrounded" by them leads some commentators to understand those heroes (and possibly other people) are . We have a great cloud of witnesses around us dear church. The "great cloud of witnesses," not our loved ones watching us from heaven, is actually the saints listed in chapter 11. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Easter reminds us that this one who suffered also defeated death and it reminds us that no sin, not even sin from those in authority can ever the justice of God. How long did it take for Israel to cross the Red Sea? Had sin not come into creation, God would have come down and dwelt with Adam and Eve some 6,000 years ago. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews is not written to us members of the Church the Body of Christ, but we are comforted in that just as God will not forsake those Jewish believers enduring the horrible Tribulation, He will not abandon us in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Local: 704-401-2432 Great Cloud of Witnesses - Who Are They? Obalenie katolickich argumentw na witych obcowanie | Uderz w fasz! (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE). What are Christians doing in heaven right now? Until further notice, this website will not be receiving further updates. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And the cloud may be so great as to compel notice. Among Us is a 2018 online multiplayer social deduction game developed and . Questions about Heaven, Hell, and Eternity. They have names and stories as well. The proper interpretation of Hebrews 12:1 is that the men and women forming the "great cloud of witnesses" are witness to the value of living life by faith. 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