TODAY we move forward in time from about 520 B.C. to around A.D. 100 and ‘a great cloud of witnesses’ from the New Testament book of Hebrews. This cloud of witnesses, however, goes back to the Old Covenant and continues until this day.
Previously in SHAKEN 2 “Think carefully about your ways we found political and religious leadership along with all the people once again turning back to the Lord their God who now proclaims HE IS with them.
“Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
* NOTE: Some commentators question if this epistle or letter to the Hebrews, who’s author is unidentified in its text, was written by Paul or possibly by other A.D. 1st century apostles.
Some excerpts from D-R Bible {pictured with Joseph Biden, a professing Roman Catholic, being sworn in as 46th President of the United States}
Most translations from NASB translation or versions as noted.
God spoke of old by the prophets, but now by his Son, who is incomparably greater than the angels.
The Prophets provided not only a cloud of witnesses to Israel but spoke the very admonitions of the LORD God to a disobedient and unfaithful people.
[1] God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all,
[2] In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.
A List of Fathers of our founding
He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,
“Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”
Hebrews 4:7b CSB
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
Melchizedek and Abraham – Heb. 7
Aaron & Moses – Heb. 7:11,14
And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us.. Heb. 10:15
Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.
Is this justice you demand finally for ones you judge (opponents to your own world view)?
Or do you seek judgment on your own sins, transgressions and trespasses (for which you ask forgiveness)?
The Apostles wrote to a1st century church persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.
It was not faith in their failing leaders of government
OR was it faith in a zealous vision of their pastor.
Nor was it faith that their country would come under the LAW of God, their state under a mandate of morality and their community forced into the fellowship of love.
The CHURCH believed GOD in Christ Jesus and it was counted to them as righteousness.
These faithful saints suffered for their hope in the Lord and persevered by grace suffering for a higher community in a heavenly kingdom.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries.
For we know Him who said,
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:30-31 CSB
the cloud of Witnesses [Hebrews 11]
From the Douay-Rheims Bible [background of Biden Presidential oath pictured above]
What faith is. Its wonderful fruits and efficacy demonstrated in the fathers.
[1] Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. [2] For by this the ancients obtained a testimony. [3] By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God…
Hebrews 11 continues, mentioning these witnesses of faith in the Lord God:
Abel
Enoch
Noah
Abraham
Sarah
Isaac
Jacob [Israel]
Joseph
Moses
Rahab
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets..
Hebrews 12 – surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses
Exhortation to constancy under their crosses. The danger of abusing the graces of the New Testament.
Hebrews 12 summary from the Douay-Rheims Bible
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 perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith..
Leave a Reply