S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

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 perseve...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

D W Supporter

Rather than the perception that there are quite a number of entities gazing down upon us, change cloud of "witnesses" to "testimonies" of the saints as recorded in the Bible.

August 14 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ray D Supporter

Most Christians throughout the ages have interpreted this verse literally—meaning, they take Paul for his word. Read in that way, the verse would mean we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses: the saints. They cheer us on in our enduring race to heaven, which would mean they are knowledgeable of our lives.

Keep fighting the good fight of faith!

December 16 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Hebrews 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 great “Cloud of Witnesses,” from the time of ages, are the elders who have obtained a good report. Abel, E’-noch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, who walked by faith in God, through faith, were framed by the “Word of God.” For then through faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, and stopped the mouths of the lions. The city of the living God, the Father, “the Judge of all,” the heavenly Jerusalem, is unto the innumerable “Company of Angels,” for the spirits of just men to be made perfect. (Heb 11:2-11,17-23,33,12:21-23) The Revelation given to John was to reveal the truth of understanding to us today. The elders of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals. The elders are the cloud of witnesses that are in heaven, as the Lord Jesus reveals unto us. He was the Lamb that had been slain to redeem us to God the Father. For the angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. (Rev 5:5,9,11/Mat 18:10)

Through the great cloud of witnesses, we had Moses, who chose to suffer afflictions with the children of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin. For he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King Pharaoh. He then ran with patience the “race that was set before him,” and dwelt in the land of Mid’-i-an, the Arabian Peninsula. (Heb 11:24-25/Exo 2:10,12,15) The Lord then reset his race to return to Egypt, for He had seen the affliction of His people to bring them to the promised land. For He was the Lord who appeared unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, and His name is JE-HO’-VAH. (Gen 18:2,22,26:2,28:13/Exo 6:3/John 8:56) As in the day of old, today we are also compassed with a great cloud of witnesses, which was, and which is to come, having the seven Spirits before His throne. For He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, which was and which is to come, the Almighty. A day shall come when His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, who discerns in the right spirit, shall run with patience the race that is set upon thee. (Rev 1:4,8/Zec 14:4-5)

The four and twenty elders, among the cloud of witnesses, bow down before Him who sits on “His Father’s Throne,” our Lord Jesus the Lamb that was slain. (Rev 4:10,5:6-8,11) The race that is set upon in the days to come, He will send the seven stars who are the angels, to the seven golden candlesticks which are the churches. Which are in Asia, that is Eph’-e-sus, Smyrna, Per’-ga-mos, Thy-a-ti’-ra, Sar’-dis, Philadelphia, and La-od-i-ce’-a. To the churches, the race that is set to run and put off the old deeds, the Cloud of Witnesses, the seven stars are the angels (messengers) who shall be sent. One who runs with patience the race that is set, he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. “To him that overcomes:” (1) I will give to eat of the tree of life, (2) Not to be hurt of the second death. (3) Will give to eat of the hidden man’-na, and a white stone, with a new name written. (4) Who keeps my work unto the end, I will give power over the nations. (5) He shall be clothed in white raiment, his name shall not be blotted out from the book of life, and He shall confess his name to God the Father and the angels. (6) He shall be made a pillar in the temple of God and shall no longer go out. (7) He shall grant him to sit with Him, on His throne. (Rev 1:11,20,2:7,11,17,26/3:5,12,21)

Revelation 5:11: And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

The “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1 (τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων) refers to the faithful men and women highlighted in Hebrews 11, those who ran the race of faith and are now at rest with God. The metaphor comes from Greek literature, where νέφος (cloud) represents a large, enveloping mass without definite form, giving the image of a vast, surrounding presence. Μαρτύρων (witnesses) literally means those who have testified to God’s truth rather than mere spectators (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.)

In the Hebrews imagery, the cloud of witnesses is like an arena surrounding the runner. They bear witness to God’s faithfulness, and their lives testify that God rewards endurance in faith. The witnesses themselves do not actively watch or intervene; rather, their lives inspire and validate our faith journey, showing what is possible when we trust God.

As Warren Wiersbe explains, they are not spectators in heaven cheering us on like a stadium crowd. I used to think this. No, but instead, these witnesses bear testimony to God’s faithfulness. Their stories, recorded in Scripture, give believers patience (endurance) and comfort (encouragement) as we run our own race. Reading about Joseph, Moses, or David can provide practical lessons for personal trials and perseverance (Wiersbe, Be Patient; Faithlife Study Bible.)

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Who are 'the cloud of witnesses' mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?

Job is just one of God's servants who remained courageous and strong during severe trials. 

In his letter to the Hebrews, the apostle Paul refers to many others, calling them "a great cloud of witnesses." (Heb. 12:1) They all went through severe trials; yet, they built an outstanding record of faithfulness to God. (Heb. 11:36-40) Were their endurance and hard work wasted? Most definitely not! Even though they never saw the fulfilment of all of God's promises during their lifetime, they continued to hope in God. And because they were certain that they had gained God's approval, they were confident that they would see the promises come true. (Heb. 11:4, 5) Their example can strengthen our resolve to continue hoping in God.

In Hebrews chapter 11, Paul skillfully explains what true faith in God is. He illustrates this by using historical examples of men and women of faith. Was that an unnecessary digression? Not at all. The apostle knew that his fellow worshippers needed to realise that faith called for courageous action and endurance. The sterling example set by those ancient faithful servants of Jehovah would strengthen the Hebrews to face the trials and hardships they encountered. Thus, after enumerating the acts of faith of those loyal ones in the past, Paul could say: "Because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."​—Heb. 12:1.

Review the pre-Christian acts of faith (in Hebrews, chapter 11). In this chapter we can read about the example who picture the Great Cloud of Witnesses that Paul speaks about in Hebrews Chapter 12. Here Paul urged Christians: "Because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight [that would encumber us spiritually] and the sin [lack of faith] that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race [for life eternal] that is set before us."

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report