The following 3-minute video is from the YouTube site: Got Questions Ministries
One former friend of mine believed that the cloud of witnesses consisted of deceased family members watching her and cheering her on as she ran her Christian race. Not so.
“So… who are the “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1, and how is it they “surround” us? In this video, Pastor Nelson answers your question:”
Chief points:
- [NKJV] Hebrews 12:1 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, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
- The writer exhorts all who possess faith to do two things:
- First: remove or put off any burden that keeps us from Christ’s likeness, especially sin because it ensnares us and keeps us in bondage to itself
- Secondly: persevere patiently, enduring all things until we grow and mature in the faith
- James reminds us that trials serve to strengthen our faith and bring us to maturity
- James 1:2, 3: verses 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience
- Hebrews 12:1 is reminding us to persevere through those trials knowing that via God’s faithfulness, we will not be overwhelmed by them
- Who are this cloud of witnesses?
- “Therefore” in Hebrews 12:1 indicates that the writer is referring to the previous text, Hebrews 11, wherein Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the rest of the Old Testament saints looked forward to the coming of the Messiah,
- Hebrews 11:39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us
- Chapter 12 begins with a reference to the faithful men and women of chapter 11 who paved the way for us
- They looked forward to the Messiah and His fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning Him
- We look back on the Messiah’s fulfillment of those
- We are surrounded by the saints of the past in a unique way
- Not that the former saints are spectators to the race we run
- The writer was speaking figuratively, suggesting that we should think of the Old Testament saints as being in sight and cheering us on as we seek the same victory in the life of faith that they obtained
- We ought to be inspired by the godly examples that these saints set during their lives
- “Great cloud” is a reference that many have gone before us, bearing witness to the life of faith that we now live
2,611 views Sep 23, 2023
What is the proper way to study the Bible?
*** Source Article: https://www.gotquestions.org/cloud-of…
*** Check out, Bible Munch! @BibleMunch / biblemunch
*** Recent Bible Munch Videos: James 1:2-4 – How to Face Trials in Life & Find Joy • How to Face Trials in Life & Find Joy…
John 4:24 – Is there a wrong way to worship? • Is there a wrong way to worship? | …
Philippians 4:13 – What this misused verse really means. • Philippians 4:13 – The Meaning of the…
*** Recommended Book: Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today, 3 Volumes in 1 By: Erwin W. Lutzer https://bit.ly/43rgVPB
*** Related Questions: What does it mean to “run the race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)? https://www.gotquestions.org/run-the-…
Will we have physical bodies in Heaven? https://www.gotquestions.org/physical…
Will we be able to see and know our friends and family members in Heaven? https://www.gotquestions.org/family-h…