since we are surrounded

"Who are 'the cloud of witnesses'?"

*** We are surrounded by the saints of the past in a unique way.
It’s not that the faithful who have gone before us are spectators to the race we run.
Rather, it is a figurative representation ***

Date:   9/9/2016

Throw off all the bad things

Study Bible Hebrews 12:1
The Call to Endurance

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.…

Berean Study Bible · Download

*** Cross References
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Question: "Who are 'the cloud of witnesses' mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?"

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.”

Here the writer to the Hebrews exhorts all who profess faith in Jesus Christ,
the “author and perfecter of our faith” (v. 2), to do two things:

- First, we are to remove or put off any burden that keeps us from Christ-likeness, especially sin because sin ensnares us and keeps us in bondage to itself.

- Second, we are to 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). Hebrews 12:1 is reminding us to persevere through those trials,
knowing that, by God’s faithfulness, we won’t be overwhelmed by them
(1 Corinthians 10:13).

So who are the “cloud of witnesses,” and how is it they “surround” us?

To understand this, we need to look at the previous chapter, as evidenced by the word therefore beginning chapter 12. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the rest of the Old Testament believers looked forward with faith to the coming of the Messiah.

The author of Hebrews illustrates this eloquently in chapter 11 and then ends the chapter by telling us that the forefathers had faith to guide and direct them, but God had something better planned.

Then he begins chapter 12 with a reference to these faithful men and women who paved the way for us. What the Old Testament believers looked forward to in faith—the Messiah—we look back to, having seen the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning His first coming.

We are surrounded by the saints of the past in a unique way.
It’s not that the faithful who have gone before us are spectators to the race we run.
Rather, it is a figurative representation and means that we ought to act as if they were in sight and cheering us on to the same victory in the life of faith that they obtained. We are to be inspired by the godly examples these saints set during their lives.

These are those whose past lives of faith encourage others to live that way, too.
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.

Recommended Resource: Heaven by Randy Alcorn

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While our country and the world is perilously close to being destroyed - it is not because of God's judgments, but rather because of Satan's inroads in the lives of people.
When anyone yields to the devil through sin, they become a defenseless slave of evil!

Remember, Satan has no other purpose but to lie, steal, kill, and destroy.
Therefore it is stupid to fall into his traps by yielding to his suggestions!
He can not make us do anything we choose not to do.
We need only come to submit ourselves to the Gospel of Christ and accept the Will of God in our lives...
Because God through the Lord Jesus Christ has taken Satan's power and placed Christ himself as the mediator between God - our Heavenly Father and all of mankind.

The Witness of Scripture
38 nor does His word abide in you, because you do not believe the One He sent.
39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life eternal.… Berean Study Bible ·

Many people come to think otherwise - but once you seek the Will of God in your life -
the Eternal Truths will become self evident through the Gospel of Christ.

Matt 6:33

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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Many people were taught or have come to think that it is God's purpose to punish or destroy those who sin or oppose Him! Nothing could be further from the Truth! Why?

Because the reason Christ came and bore our punishment, judgment, and reason for our separation was so we would not have to. Almighty God has already placed His wrath upon the Lord Jesus - His only begotten Son at the Cross of Calvary over 2000 years ago!

Therefore He is not about to come judge you or anyone else!
Do you get this and have you come to understand the Eternal fact?

Here is the essence and full truth of the Gospel - Word of God as found in the Bible!

AMEN!!