On All Saints Day we believe that while the attendance pads may only record those who are physically present, in every house of worship and beyond the pews are always packed and the balconies always full, that the Church is involved with far more than just the living, that there are so many Christians among us besides us. A Great Cloud of Witnesses: A Study of Those Who Lived by Faith (A Study in Hebrews 11) Paperback - January 5, 2021 by Trillia J. Newbell (Author) 193 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $8.99 Read with Our Free App Paperback $10.39 11 Used from $3.80 7 New from $9.99 Great on Kindle Great Experience. A race is not a thing of passive luxury, but is demanding, sometimes grueling and agonizing, and requires our utmost in self-discipline, determination, and perseverance. At the last came two false witnesses," Matthew 26:60 KJV, "And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." The Witnesses Chapter 11 lists a procession of Biblical saints from bygone days, who exemplified "faith", as defined in Hebrews 11:1. To strengthen and deepen your own faith, enter the stories of God's imperfect yet faithful people in A Great Cloud of Witnesses, a six-week bible study by Trillia Newbell. Intercede in agreement with prayers in Heaven, as the cloud of witnesses has a powerful voice in the heavenly courts. Clouds in scripture = Witnesses. A Great Cloud of Witnesses Scripture Reading Hebrews 12:1-3 Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of wit-nesses let us run with perseverance fixing our eyes on Jesus. All rights reserved worldwide. I said to my friend, Are these new people who have come in? He said, No, a church in St. Louis ordered these windows from Italy, and when they got them, they didnt fit. Isaiah 44:22 KJV, "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." The so great a cloud of witnesses is here with us, surrounding us, looking upon us and interceding for us. We are to be inspired by the godly examples these saints set during their lives. This study about Hebrews 11 is the second one in the series written by Trillia Newbell. They are the Team. What we do know is that he walked closely and faithfully with God. There are hints at people being awake in this afterlife, such as: So they with all that belonged to them went down alive intoSheol; the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. I mean, when talking about their late Granny, people will often say she has passed on, or passed away. Asleep, or in paradise? In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Mark 9:7 KJV, "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Your email address will not be published. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great . Hebrews 12:1 assures us (the faithful), that "we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses", referring to the saints whom the whole previous chapter had been listing. And the title of the sermon is The Cloud of Witnesses, and the text is the first verse of the twelfth chapter of the Book . This crowd is much more than . They start out fast, but as the race goes on they slow down, give up, or just collapse. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor. The mighty chiefs shall speak of them, with their helpers, out of the midst ofSheol: They have come down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, killed by the sword.. Birds gather together in clouds. This plan will use the life of Enoch as our example of living a quiet life by faith. ( Hebrews 12:1-2 ) I attended a family reunion this summer. Another example of the same method is the variety of ways in which Jesus adapts the Isaiah 5 metaphor of the vineyard, using it in a variety of clever ways to make his point at various times, such as in Luke 13:1-9, which I look at in detail in another blog post. The seats at the very top of the stadium were called the cloudsbecause they were so high up in the air. That is the way many people live the Christian life. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. In 10:2324, the reference can be both to believers and unbelievers. Isaiah 43:12 | View whole chapter | See verse in context And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. When we run in the power of Gods Spirit, we run successfully. They considered it down, under the earth, and named it sheol, which is also the word for grave. Ours is not a race of works but a race of faith. Therefore, the "something better" he is referring to must be the aforementioned "fulfillment of the promise". 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. A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Enoch - Throughout Scripture, we find countless stories of God's faithfulness. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In Hebrews 4 (vv. The Son of Man will appear with glory and power on a cloud. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. . NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. He said on a Sunday evening, I went with a friend to worship. Guest. Because we dont want you to incur expenditure for which you are not prepared, could you please confirm whether you are willing to pay this charge, if necessary? In chapter 7, 144,000 people are marked out with a seal so that they will not be harmed in the judgement, but all the others, a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language(Revelation 7:9), who are killed for their faith in the great tribulation (Revelation 7:14), join the angels in the throne room of God. Thats not how the Biblical authors think about it. It should keep our eyes fixed on that man, that Son of God, who endured and overcame. Jesus says to the thief on the cross, truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me." Worse yet is to stay in the stands and never participate at all, for which we forfeit everythingeven eternal heaven. The supernatural intersection between your life and the heavenly cloud of witnesses! For 6 weeks, we will dwell on Hebrews 11 and study the lives of flawed yet faithful servants who endured great suffering, obeyed the Lord, and in some instances, were even killed for their faith. 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. Compassion is hidden from my eyes. Acts 3:15 KJV, "This is the third time I am coming to you. Matthew 23:31 KJV, "And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." Each devotional invites you into the lives of these faithful heroes and . The author of Hebrews encourages believing Jews to endure the adversity and persecution of the future seven-year Tribulation. It is important to note that this is not depicting the resurrection. In Gods army we never hear At ease. To stand still or to go backward is to forfeit the prize. Deuteronomy 5:22 KJV, "False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not." Numbers 9:17 KJV, "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. (12:1)The key phrase of this passage is let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. I suggest that the answer is that they were commendedby Scripture for their faith. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. The believers of the past that have died don't watch us --just inspire us to stand firm in our faith, right? There are so many of them that they become a cloud - huge mass of people - all of whom are cheering us on. Unfortunately, many people are not even in the race, and many Christians could hardly be described as running the race at all. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. Chapter 11 lists a procession of Biblical saints from bygone days, who exemplified faith, as defined in Hebrews 11:1. But is that what this idiom means? . And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. The Christian has only one way to endureby faith. Some are merely jogging, some are walking slowly, and some are sitting or even lying down. Required fields are marked *. (Hebrews 12:1-2) tells us: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and . As we are run the race, this crowd of fellow runners, past and present, surrounds us and urges us on. Make space to go to conferences and connect with other leaders. Hebrews 12:1. Throughout Scripture we find countless stories of God's faithfulness--we also find countless stories of the people who remained faithful to Him. The rainbow after the flood was set in the cloud. Deuteronomy 17:6 KJV, "And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:" Genesis 9:14 KJV, "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Return to: I will return to that question later. But that resurrection is said to happen all at once, when Christ returns to gather the faithful and make all things new. In 12:1, I believe let us may be used to refer to Jews who have made a profession of Christ, but have not gone all the way to full faith. . Saul called-up Samuel from sheol in 1 Samuel 28. Fr. Luke 9:34 KJV, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee." This is important because it incorporates the deep investment that God has placed in our temporal, flesh-and-bone human bodies: We were created in His image, after all! Heb.12:1. Hebrews 12:1-2 Pause. I was used to the 100-yard dash, which requires more speed but is over quickly. Shall I redeem them from Death? By angels? They testify to God's faithfulness, that He will see them through all the vicissitudes of life. Don't compare, but be inspired 4. What we do know is that he walked closely and faithfully with God. Race is the Greek agon, from which we get agony. A Great Cloud of Witnesses A Study of Those Who Lived by Faith (A Study in Hebrews 11) Buy Now Rejuvenate your faith through the stories of the faithful. The Bible says you are not only to run your race, but you are to finish your race or course (2 Tim. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Cor. This study dives into Hebrews 11, examining the lives of Rahab, Enoch, Gideon, Sarah, and many more whose faiths withstood the tests of their days. As long as we are trusting God and doing what He wants us to do, Satan and sin have no power over us. See more ideas about christian quotes, spurgeon quotes, watchman nee. 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, Job 37:11 chapter context similar meaning copy save. We sent you an email. Throughout Scripture we find countless stories of God's faithfulnesswe also find countless stories of the people who remained faithful to Him. This is how we, in the modern Western world, talk about the environmental question: we invoke thefuture generations as witnesses of our choices today: What will our grandchildren say about our present choices?. For the gospel, there is nothing you cannot do on this earth. Since the Wycliffe Bible, nearly all Bible translations have followed Langton's chapter divisions. And this Scripture is Gods Scripture, so that the commendation is understood to be divine. We might well imagine a kind of studio audience on a massive scale, which says, Ooooooh!, and Hurrah!, and laughs and cries as our story unfolds. It does not just include strong leaders who embrace their emotions and humanness. Paul makes reference in chapter 12 to a cloud of witnesses that are in chapter 11. Deuteronomy 17:6. But not so in the Bible. It also has much to do with inverting the contemporary expectations around social status and Gods favour (so Green, in The Gospel of Luke, p603). Paul believed this principle and he had a hupomone kind of determination. This Great Cloud of witnesses does not just include the men and women from Acts. Luke 24:48 KJV, "And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle." Or does it refer to the fact that a dead personappears to be sleeping, and hence this term became a more gentle way of saying dead? The Bibles promise is that we will be resurrected. Verse Concepts. Until then, they are in the same plight as thesouls under the altar, and similarly in a state of expectant anticipation. Scriptures: Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12. Lazarus finds himself at Abrahams side (literally, bosom), which is understood to be a very good place to be, and the rich man is in torment. Another Great Cloud of Witnesses. The church has always had many short-spurt Christians, but the Lord wants those who will make the distance. There will be obstacles and there will be weariness and exhaustion, but we must endure if we are to win. therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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, By the deceased saints? Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. We are to run a race that is strenuous and continuous. Shall I ransom them from the power ofSheol? We are to know ourselves surrounded by these living witnesses. The merefactof this audience should strengthen us. This study dives . I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down toSheolwith those who go down to the Pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that were well watered, were consoled in the world below. Coptic John 1:1 and 18 A very early translation of Scripture clearly refers to Jesus as something less than God himself. A Great Cloud of Witnesses Featured Topics Flashes of Light in the Darkness An ongoing (incomplete) timeline catalog of those who took a stand against unscriptural teachings and/or championed neglected scriptural teachings. Log In Scripture ~ "Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." Jude 1:2. Contributed by Mike Rickman on May 27, 2011 (message contributor) (rate this sermon) | 6,212 views Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3 Denomination: Assembly Of God Summary: We have all been influenced by saints who have gone before us. They were not all commended in their lifetime, but the Scripture bears witness to them in a positive light, as exemplars of the faith. 12Therefore, 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. The Great Cloud of Witnesses. Their witness to the reader is the example of their faith lived out in their obedience, and this is to give us an example to follow and encouragement to obey God in our own lives as proof of our own belief in the saving power of Jesus Christ. Arent all those people dead? We see in Hebrews 12:1-2 that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, men and women who have gone before us who testify to us of God's faithfulness. We are to run a race that is strenuous and continuous. We also find stories of people who remained faithful to Him. AUGUST 1 Be On Guard . I need scripture references if anyone other than God watches us from heaven. But I ended dead last, and almost felt I was dead. Throughout Scripture we find countless stories of God's faithfulnesswe also find countless stories of the people who remained faithful to Him. Hebrews 12:1 II If faith is an endurance race, then we do not run alone. 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. To the Jewish mind, this is a place of longing for the fullness of a bodily life once again. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Beginning in the 4th century, when Pope Gregory designated November 1st All Saints Day, the Church has knelt in worship to name the dead, has celebrated the faithful who have run the good race, has affirmed the atmospheric and eschatological intersection of earth and sky. The only time we sin, the only time we fail, is when we do not trust. Fred Craddock recalled going home to the west Tennessee community of his childhood. We therefore have this enormous, combined audience of all the deceased saints, all the angels, and God Himself. Stephen Freeman. This plan will use the life of Enoch as our example of living a quiet life by faith. But as the new began to wear off and problems began to arise, they began to lose their enthusiasm and their confidence. Great Value. Matthew 17:5 KJV, "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud." It does not just include my grandma, Evelyn Mathews. Gods people are not called to lie around on beds of ease. Hebrews 12:1 assures us (the faithful), that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, referring to the saints whom the whole previous chapter had been listing. Jesus is the mediator that makes sainthood for all possible. New International Version (NIV). While these witnesses are aware of our spiritual progress on earth,. Play. 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud . Who commended them? So the next time you decide to go for a run, just wait until it clouds over. . TheLordkills and brings to life; he brings down toSheoland raises up. Exodus 24:16 KJV, "And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents." In Revelation 6 (before the Resurrection of Revelation 20), we start to hear about those who have died for their faith: When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. Learn how your comment data is processed. Learn to imitate his faith while studying the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. Artists Impression The apparent Ancient Hebrew conception of the Universe. A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Enoch 5 Days Throughout Scripture, we find countless stories of God's faithfulness. Michaela Bruzzese is a freelance writer living in Chile. Stand strong, confidently, be bold and match forward; accomplish your course. Nothing can stop you; neither Satan . After listing many of the deceased heroes and slayed martyrs in the Great Cloud of Witnesses, Hebrews speaks to a flatfooted people still trying to complete the marathon of life. While we are running in this spiritual race, the Bible says we are "compassed about" by a "great . Jesus was changing the punch line to one about believing Gods promises, with specific reference to his own Resurrection. By God? That is why our protection against Satans temptations is the shield of faith (Eph. Recognize encounters with the cloud of witnesses in a Biblical, Jesus-exalting way. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. II BIBLE STUDY -16 II Bro. Starting May 3rd, join us as we learn to run back to our Savior while working through A Great Cloud of Witnesses. How to Connect With YOUR Cloud of Witnesses 1. Which is it? What kind of legacy have they left for you? God warned Israel, Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure in the the mountain of Samaria (Amos 6:1). Clouds have a bad reputation. The Angels at Christmas time: Whats with that? That is what Christian commitment is all about. Tom Wright says that Paradise is a regular Jewish way of referring, not to the final destination of Gods people, but to the temporary place of rest before the rising again of the dead. In the intro to the book, she provides women with four steps for . "The Great Cloud of Witnesses" - Sermon by Rev. They advertised in a church paper that they would sell them because they were going to have new ones made. 1 2 3 4 Next Also, the narrative places this during the opening of the seals, and we can see in that narrative that there are still people running around in the world experiencing a terrible time of tribulation as the subsequent seals are opened. We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses Hebrews 12:1. Instead of disqualifying the human experience to put their feet up in the celestial longue, the dead have assembled in the Great Cloud of Witnesses to spend their eternity surrounding earth, not some detached heaven, to be intimately involved in our every stride and stumble, to remind us that salvation history is not a competition of winners and losers, but only finishers. Asheville, NC 28801, MAILING ADDRESS: But all of the people in chapter 11 were long dead by the time Hebrews was written, in the First or Second Century AD. Jesus is the pioneer, the one who . In the Book of Hebrews, Scripture introduces us to the great cloud of witnessesbelievers who have gone before us, joining the ranks of those gathered before the throne of God. The Greek word nephos,translated "clouds," has an additional meaning that is very exciting when understood in this context. In those cases it certainly doesnt prove that people literally believed in this afterlife concept, but in many other cases it is obvious that they did. 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,[ b] let us throw off everything that weighs us down and the sins that so easily distract us and with perseverance run the race that lies ahead of us, 2 with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter . This study dives into Hebrews . Chapter 20 summarises this as The First Resurrection: They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Let death come upon them; let them go down alive toSheol; for evil is in their homes and in their hearts. How can they be said to be witnesses? 25 Don't stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. O Death, where are your plagues? PO Box 2982 Accordingly, we have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions in order to comply with GDPR. In any case, the scriptures belong to the people of God, so what the scriptures commend is commended by the faithful community. Clouds have a bad reputation. So I started out well; in fact I led the pack for the first 100 yards or so. Bible > Hebrews > Chapter 12 > Verse 1 Library Free Downloads eBibles Hebrews 12:1 Context Crossref Comment Greek As the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us. Our attention is called, not merely to a cloud, but to so great a cloud. Jehovahs WitnessesGreat CommissionHerod The GreatThe Great CommissionThe Great TribulationMore At Least Two Witnesses Are RequiredTwo Witnesses ProphesyTwo Witnesses Prophesy; The Seventh TrumpetGod Guides Them By A Pillar Of A Cloud, And A Pillar Of FireCloud Removes Behind The CampMore CloudShechinahAnanDarknessWitnessMurderBarefootMore "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," Hebrews 12:1 KJV, "Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:" Job 37:11 KJV, "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. They are awaiting the Final Judgement, at which they will be resurrected. From many ages, of both sexes, and in all positions of life. Endurance (hupomone) is steady determination to keep going. It says that we are not running our race unobserved. Indeed, the important thing about that faith is that this is what the ancients were commended for (Hebrews 11:2). Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: First, we are not to compete against other Christians, trying to outdo each other in righteousness, recognition, or accomplishments. So great cloud of witnesses. OSheol, where is your destruction? But God will ransom my soul from the power ofSheol, for he will receive me. Revelation 11:12 KJV, "And ye are witnesses of these things." I disagreed. Encounter the men and women of Scripture. We are not called on to endure in ourselves, but in Him. Enoch is a mystery. Its good for us in our little church to realize that there are some Christian people besides us.. Brian Combs 11/2/16, 2022 Atlas Branding & Design, Inc. Learn to imitate his faith while studying the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. August 28, 2013 Larger Text Smaller Text Print Share . And they said, We are witnesses." The great thing about the "cloud of witnesses" Hebrews mentions here is that they are not schleps who are sitting in the stadium, lazily cheering for the team while they swill beer and wolf pretzels. Enoch is a mystery. Run in such a way that you may win. They have not yet begun the Christian race, which starts with salvationto which the writer is now calling them. The weatherman never smiles while reporting a cloudy forecast. I said: In the noontide of my days I must depart; I am consigned to the gates ofSheolfor the rest of my years. The Scriptures are God breathed (2 Tim 3:16), and the Law of Moses was given through the angels (Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19, Hebrews 2:2), so this is authoritative. It would seem that asleep might be the ancient Greek equivalent expression. You Have Not Yet Resisted to the Point of Bloodshed. And with a sweatband of thorns and a dusty pair of sandals, Jesus is there too, as he has been since Creation first toed the starting line, running alongside every participant until we all break the tape. This plan will use the life of Enoch as our example of living a quiet life by faith. Quite specifically, these souls are speaking before the general Resurrection of chapter 20, and they explicitly have not yet been avenged (that happens in Revelation 19:2). A Great Cloud of Witnesses Faith among the ancients. Numbers 14:14 KJV, "Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets." Angels are created creatures, as are people. 3. We compete by faith, but not with each other. We also find stories of people who remained faithful to Him. Spiritual Focus ~ "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix. A Great Cloud Of Witnesses - Who Has Made A Way For You? We have an audience, made up not only of God HImself, and all the angels, but also of human beings, who have striven and have attempted this life of faith. Brian Combs 11/2/16 11.03.2016 News They rain on our parades; they obscure our vision; they represent ominous omens on the horizon. In Hebrews 11:39, it says, they were commended for their faith. The great cloud of witnesses Paul refers to is made perfect together with Christians, not apart from them. What's with that? They rain on our parades; they obscure our vision; they represent ominous omens on the horizon. Jul 9, 2022 - Explore Lynn Soto's board "Cloud of witnesses", followed by 269 people on Pinterest. In fact, his own rising from the dead should not even be necessary as a witness to Gods will! Here at Grace to You Europe we take our data protection responsibilities very seriously and, as you would expect, have undertaken a significant programme of work to ensure that we are ready for this important legislative change. Hebrews 12:1-2. The great cloud of witnesses surrounding us is the list of godly people mentioned in the previous chapter: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David, and Samuel, and the prophets. In Hebrews 12:1 we read that "a great cloud of witnesses" surrounds us. 7pm 8-jun-2022 tabernacle baptist church newbridge bible study series learning lessons from a great cloud of witnesses in the bible week 54 david - when god bless you in abundance 2 samuel 6:11-23, 7:1-29 with pastor peter cho . Each record of their testimony gives us one more witness that in some way or another testifies that doing things exactly God's way always brings success and reward. According to scripture, our social aspirations betray the placement of our hearts--with God, or with false idols. In our two previous lesssons we studied the chapters either side of chapter 11.In those chapters we saw Jesus as "the author and perfecter of our faith". Please respond to confirm your registration. In God's army we never hear "At ease." To stand still or to go backward is to forfeit the prize. Curt Blattman November 9, 2020. In the book of Hebrews, as in many places in the New Testament, let us may refer to believers, to unbelievers, or to both. This verse says that we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1) Who makes up this "great cloud of witnesses?" The Lord led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt in a pillar of cloud. He did not pursue comfort, money, great learning, popularity, respect, position, lust of the flesh, or anything but Gods will. 297 Haywood St. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." My legs were wobbly, my chest was heaving, my mouth was cottony, and I collapsed at the finish line. Ezekiel 1:4 KJV, "Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?" 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. 2. They all have one thing in common, they believed God and obeyed Him. 2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV. They are those who looked to God and truth and, though they were not perfect, trusted in peak hope of the coming Messiah . But not so in the Bible. Psalms 35:11 KJV, "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:" Hebrews 10:28 KJV, "And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire." PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Fear nothing fear no one. Enoch is a mystery. NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, The Jesus Bible, NIV Edition, Comfort Print, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Galatians, Paperback, Comfort Print. There werent many people there but I noticed the small church had new leaded glass windows, beautiful windows, and I calculated, expensive windows. The "great cloud of witnesses," not our loved ones watching us from heaven, is actually the saints listed in chapter 11. By studying the great cloud of witnesses, your own faith will be strengthened to run the race before you. A Great Cloud of Witnesses But first, notice something important in Hebrews 12:1. The Schooner Web System 2022. They had seen signs and wonders and were thrilled with their new lives (Heb. The narrative continues, getting to the second Resurrection only later in verse 12 and following. Together we form "so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). The Resurrection has not happened. Endurance ( hupomone) is steady determination to keep going. Revelation 14:14 KJV, "And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud." It is suggested by many Bible scholars that Jesus is retelling a well known Jewish fable, which probably simply made a point about being charitable in life in light of what the afterlife might hold. In the mean time, they bear witness to our lives. Prioritize the relationships within your region and area. OLord, you brought up my soul fromSheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit. The competition of the Christian life, of course, is different from that of an athletic race in two important ways. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern. Our competition is against Satan, his world system, and our own sinfulness, often referred to in the New Testament as the flesh. They were so cheap we bought them. And I said, Well, they sure are beautiful, but what are you going to do about the plaques? He said, Well, the board discussed that, and we decided to leave those names up there. 2022 Grace to You. Adapting stories is not an unusual technique for Jesus (and probably for other rabbis). Mark 14:63 KJV, "And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night." To strengthen and deepen your own faith, enter the stories of God's imperfect yet faithful people in A Great Cloud of Witnesses, a six-week bible study by Trillia Newbell. Ask for help. In a passage unique to Luke, Jesus insists that, contrary to everything society tells . While I wondered how they could afford it, I began to read the names, the dedications in the windows. So according to todays text, what do we believe on All Saints Day? Our topical studies in Hebrews now consider the famous eleventh chapter which teaches about faith by reminding us of many courageous Old Testament believers.. The weatherman never smiles while reporting a cloudy forecast. 4:7). As you may be aware, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into full effect on 25th May 2018. Yet I believe the lack of desire to win is a basic problem with many Christians. Throughout Scripture, we find countless stories of God's faithfulness. To strengthen and deepen your own faith, enter the stories of God's imperfect yet faithful people in A Great Cloud of Witnesses, a six- or eight-week Bible study by Trillia Newbell. In ancient, classical Greek times, the word "clouds" was used to describe the highest seats in the bleachers of a stadium. We also find stories of people who remained faithful to Him. They called out in a loud voice, How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood? Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. They are content simply to be saved and to wait to go to heaven. He refers to those who have died in this same way elsewhere (1 Corinthians 11:30,15:6,15:18,15:20, 1Thessalonians 4:15), and Jesus, as recorded by John, uses the same idiom in speaking of Lazarus (John 11:11). But in a race or in a war or in the Christian life, lack of desire to win is unacceptable. Mar 15, 2022 - Explore Belinda Hatter's board "A Great Cloud of Witnesses.", followed by 102 people on Pinterest. In some of these cases (and many more that I havent placed here), the reference to sheol can be taken to mean distress in temporal life. On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the . Heb 12:1 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, The normal word used in scripture for cloud is (Greek - Nephele). In the parable of Lazarus (not the same Lazarus as Jesus friend of the same name) and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31), both characters die. A conversation ensues. likeSheollet us swallow them alive and whole, like those who go down to the Pit. Second, our strength is not in ourselves, but in the Holy Spirit; otherwise we could never endure. This study dives into Hebrews 11, examining the lives of Rahab, Enoch, Gideon, Sarah, and many more whose faiths withstood the tests of their days. Nothing makes less sense than to be in a race that you have little desire to win. New International Version 12 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. In this study, she does an excellent job of helping women understand how to approach the Bible. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) All rights reserved. Topics: Church, Perseverance. "It will seem like all hell has broken loosesun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-,"And thenthen!they'll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand stylea glorious welcome! Selah. 2:4). Your email address will not be published. We also find stories of people who remained faithful to Him. Numbers 9:21 KJV, "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." But they're all dead. See more ideas about prophetic art, christian art, jesus pictures. 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