New american standard bible therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every. We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. The community of christ in hebrews by melissa bane sevier suggestions for leaders by sung hee chang the letter to the hebrews is a significant book of the bible, and is also significantly different from every other book in the bible. This is important because it incorporates the deep investment that god has placed in our temporal, fleshandbone human bodies. Therefore, we also, who have all of these witnesses who surround us like clouds, let us throw off from us all the. A study of the cloud references reveals that clouds refer to the witness of the faithful conquerors in. A cloud without rain is a proverbial saying, denoting a man who does not keep his promise proverbs 16.
Clouds are used in connection with various other figures. 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. There is allusion here, doubtless, to the ancient games. Rather, therefore let us alsosince we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesseshaving put away all encumbrance and the sin. But that resurrection is said to happen all at once, when christ returns to gather the faithful and make all things new. The author does not mean that these people are watching us as unseen spirits, but that they witnessed through their lives that they had faith in god, and we see them now in our minds eye. By action of the 2015 general convention, great cloud of witnesses is being made available for devotional or catechetical use and for use in public worship throughout the church. Gcw reflects the lively experience of holiness, especially on the level of the local community. Treasury of scripture why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that. Then we will be able to run lifes marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. A mediator is only necessary when there is an agreement for two or more parties to agree to or discuss. The idea of being a witness and bearing thorough witness about god. The word worlds is translated from the greek aion, meaning age, in the sense of a period of time or a dispensation. The great cloud of witnesses as for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds.
Worldwide membership of jehovahs witnesses reached 1,624 in 5,323 congregations by the time of rutherfords death. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with old testament saints scattered mystically throughout the glorious. Great cloud of witnesses in hebrews eleven classics. In addition to the faithful listed in the bible, many christian traditions give the title saint.
The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on hebrews 12. Even a number of protestant commentaries, in commenting on this verse, establish that, at a minimum, the saints in heaven are very interested in what is happening on earth. Through this formation of physical clouds, actually god teaches us the spiritual meaning of clouds in the bible. We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses 12. What the bible says about witnesses, great cloud of. Through these expositional and devotional lessons, bullinger introduces fourteen practical elements of faith, including walk with god, worship, witness, obedience, and suffering. Because of faith, they were enabled to become good witnesses. First, this volume presents a wide array of possible commemorations for individuals and congregations to observe. 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.
Hebrews 12 the passion translation tpt the great cloud of witnesses. In great cloud of witnesses, bullinger provides a trustworthy and encouraging read that will strengthen the minds and hearts of preachers and followers alike. Sayers, the second in her series featuring lord peter wimsey. We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto.
Bullinger provides an alternative that appears more accurate and fitting within the context of hebrews 11. How should the cloud of witness motivate us to be faithful. The armenian church canonized the holy martyrs of the armenian genocide at holy etchmiadzin on april 23, 2015, in observance of the 100th anniversary of that cataclysm. The fact of the matter is that this great mass of people is a witness based. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses the sermon this morning is based on a our second lesson from hebrews. The word great in this context means multitudes or many. Bullinger was a lifelong scholar and writer studying at kings college, london. What the old testament believers looked forward to in faiththe messiahwe. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us b and the sin we so easily fall into. A great cloud of witnesses the following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on hebrews 12. We need to connect this word testimony or witness with hebrews 12.
In these expositional and devotional lessons, the great heroes of the faith from hebrews, chapter 11, glisten like twinkling stars in the night. As bible students, we are bound to study the bible about the matter. It describes clouds just like the clouds you see in the sky. May we be a great cloud, a massive rock, of witnesses in the days leading up to the coming of the kingdom of our. A great cloud of witnesses is accordingly a useful tool for learning about the history of the church and identifying those who have inspired and challenged us from the time of the new testament to the present. It includes my grandparents and friends who saw my potential and are now interceding, laughing. Hebrews 12 tpt the great cloud of witnesses as for. Jul 02, 2012 bullinger was a lifelong scholar and writer studying at kings college, london. The great cloud of witnesses is part of a quotation from hebrews 12. It consists of thirteen chapters, all of which are packed with theology, metaphor. A great cloud of witnesses is a new and expanded volume of optional commemorations of significant figures in the history of the episcopal church. When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with old. Overview of jehovahs witnesses coming in the clouds. That is, those who have gone before and are witnesses to us that god is faithful.
If you study the cults in professing christianity, they all quote scripture to some extent, and they even use verses to teach some very strange and absurd material. I would like to quote just part of the text from hebrews 11. Hebrews 12 the passion translation tpt the great cloud of witnesses 12 as for us, we have all of these great witnesses a who encircle us like clouds. The word is used as a symbol of the divine presence, as indicating the splendour of that glory which it conceals exodus 16. They finished the race, and are awaiting the resurrection. 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, looking unto jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Who are the cloud of witnesses mentioned in hebrews 12. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encum. Oct 19, 2016 the new testament verse, set forth above, confirms the following four points. The great cloud of witnesses exposition of hebrews 11. The author of hebrews encourages believing jews to endure the adversity and persecution of the future sevenyear tribulation. 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. Dec 21, 2016 so literally clouds are a body of water above separated from the original water below because of the sun.
By certain consequence, then, we also, continuously having so great a cloud of witnesses spectators. When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with old testament saints scattered mystically throughout the glorious white billows. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses calvin university. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us. It comes as a surprise to many that the bible can be used to teach just about anything. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses sermon by tim. Besides the fact that we know those things, there is also the great cloud of witnesses that is mentioned in hebrews 12. Spiritually, it means christs coming as man in the flesh, covering the spiritual glory of god in the flesh so that it would be hard for people to recognize the true identity of the christ. Youre correct in saying that others have also quoted this verse to justify their belief that departed loved ones can observe us from heaven, but i don.
God has provided a better thing for us part of that lies in the redemption of the body, yet to come1 corinthians 15. Each entry includes a biographical narrative of the person or people, highlighting the significance of their life and witness. Figurative meaning of clouds in the biblenot only that, coming on the clouds has more meanings behind it. He is also the author of the notes and appendixes of the companion bible and the author of numerous works including commentary on revelation, great cloud of witnesses, how to enjoy the bible, and number in scripture. Like so many people of various religious backgrounds, the jehovahs witnesses are ignorant of the history of their belief system and their organization. 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. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto. The divine testimony concerning man is, that he is a sinner. The fourth and last sunday service plan in a series on hebrews, focusing on the truth that in our efforts to follow jesus christ as the great high priest we are part of the body of christ throughout all time and space. But what exactly does the writer of hebrews mean by this idea of being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. They testify to gods faithfulness, that he will see them through all the vicissitudes of life. Thus, we can conclude that, figuratively and spiritually, clouds refer to the witness of the faithful, either past dead or present alive. If the church is not going to fulfil his commandment, he would not have built it up in the first place.
The hebrew so rendered means a covering, because clouds cover the sky. It is definitely a common view i used to believe it, but is it a scriptural view. With the exception of johns gospel, acts uses the greek terms for witness mar. 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, looking to jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding. The metaphor is so rich that it can easily be taken out of its context and has, in fact, been used as a handy tool in many settings.
In the formation of clouds, we can see two different things are involved, that is, first water on the surface of the earth such. Here you will come to understand faiths worship in god, faiths walk with god, faiths witness for god, faiths obedience, faith overcoming the will of the. Rapidity of motion, these that fly as a cloud isaiah 60. I can assume it goes beyond the few hundreds of old and new testament saints to include every one that is with jesus and the father in heaven. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. A cloud of witnesses grace thru faith the bible made. Then we will be able to run lifes marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out. Apr 30, 2010 seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses the apostle represents those to whom he had referred in the previous chapter, as looking on to witness the efforts which christians make, and the manner in which they live. Take a bible and a pad of paper and plan your fall run with jesus. Great cloud of witnesses in hebrews 11 an alltime classic by e. In context, the cloud of witnesses must refer to the people in the previous chapter. As a fellow elder, a witness of christs sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, i appeal to the elders among you.
Their shining examples of faith are vivid evidence of each believers potential in christ. Here the writer to the hebrews exhorts all who profess faith in jesus christ, the author and. Mar 06, 2020 1 therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and. They have to wait upon the consummating sacrifice in jesus christephesians 4. Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. That the cloud is referred to as great indicates that millions of believers have gone before us, each bearing witness to the life of faith we now live. Heaven by randy alcorn more insights from your bible study get started with logos bible software for free.
This volume, a great cloud of witnesses, is a further step in the development of liturgical commemorations within the life of the episcopal church. What the bible says about great cloud of witnesses bible tools. 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, fixing our eyes on jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. Darby bible translation let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us. A great cloud of witnesses bibles, wheels, and brains. As their interpretations of the bible evolved, witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in the united states, canada, germany, and other countries. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses. All have sinned accepting christ avoiding sin being born in sin being a perfect christian atonement justification, necessity of missing the mark rome sin last judgment becoming. In so difficult a verse as this we need an exactness of translation which might not otherwise be desirable. When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with old testament saints scattered mystically throughout the. There are many scriptures here in chapter 11 and 12 of the book of hebrews that will be one of the greatest.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us. By action of the 2015 general convention, a great cloud of witnesses is being made available for devotional or catechetical use and for use in public worship throughout the church. In the united states the novel was first published in 1927 under the title clouds of witnesses. 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. The great cloud of witnesses, not our loved ones watching us from heaven, is actually the saints listed in chapter 11. The hebrew writer gives us insight and direction of being a witness to others. Long before charles taze russell came along with his new light on the bible, there. Clouds of witness is a 1926 mystery novel by dorothy l.