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HELEN SANDERS
8-12-2022
CLOUD OF WITNESSES
There has been a lot of different teachings on Hebrews 12:1 that says, “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.” Some say the cloud of witnesses are their departed loved ones looking out for us, but let us take a look at what the scripture says.
When the epistles (letters) were written to the different churches, there were no chapters or verses. They were letters, just like we would write. Of course, there were paragraphs, but the content did not stop from one paragraph to another. There were no chapters. It was a continuation of thoughts from one paragraph to the next. Chapters and verses were put in later to make the bible easier to read.
Hebrews chapter 11 tells us of the faith of our biblical fathers. It speaks of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rehab the harlot, Gideon, David, Samuel, and others. Paul is speaking what each of these people went through. Many died for their faith. One thing they all had in common is they were faithful unto death.
These heroes/heroines are the cloud of witnesses that chapter 12:1 is speaking of. They are not our departed loved ones. Paul is reminding the Hebrew (Jewish) believers what their forefathers went through to be counted as faithful. He wants them to know if the “ancients” went through trials and even death to be found faithful that it would happen to them too. Hebrews 12:4 says, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” This indicates that the heroes of faith had blood shed, and those that received this letter could expect that too.
About these cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11:33-39 it says, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought 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, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens (foreigners). Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy; they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.”
Each of these heroes of faith, the cloud of witnesses, went through terrible times without ever seeing Jesus Christ. They stayed faithful, knowing they were serving God.
Being faithful is not just being a church goer my friends. It is not just being a tither. It is not just living a clean life. It is total sacrifice of everything that God may require of us. It means laying it all down at the Savior’s feet, and possibly dying for your faith. It is being willing to share your faith and if necessary, die for your faith.
The cloud of witnesses is an example to each of us of what it truly means to be faithful. When the luxuries of life are gone, along with all the earthly goods, will we be found faithful? The day is coming where each of us will be put to the test to see if that is the case. Oh, to be one that was found faithful like those of old and be willing to say, “It is worth it all.” May we be found faithful.
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