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..
The following 4-post series is an update of commentary on the January 6th crisis of 2021 following the insurrection and assault on Capitol Hill - a lingering malignancy which not-so-amazingly continues to shake the very foundations of freedom of WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES of America.
Have WE prayed to the God in whom 'we trust' in these difficult times? OR have we led the PEOPLE against God in the difficult times of these past two years destined to continue?
I have taken brief pause from my January 2021 series to weigh what tears at the hearts of mortals in this world. Today I am introducing next week’s topic – Shaking by the LORD God.
So now on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries.
Joseph R. Biden Jr. – 46th & current president of the United States since 1/20/2021
ALL took place in 1st century Jerusalem in the brief span of one week!
Continuing Jesus’ trials..
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there…
Jesus has already been found guilty and tried by the Jewish leaders Annas and Caiaphas during the wakening hours of this day. Then they brought the Messiah to the governor Pilate, who has just questioned their prisoner in his own judge’s quarters (which the Jews would not enter).
In effect, the Roman Governor of all the province of Judea acting as High Court Judge of Jerusalem tells them, ‘Case dismissed.’
Now, after private questioning of Jesus about their accusation, Pilate once again finds Jesus, Not Guilty!
But now begins the politics of playing the crowds.
Justice by Public Opinion – a Poll of the people
Once again, some time passes as the Jerusalem crowds gather for the preparation for the Passover feast. The buzz of the multitudes outside must have reminded Pilate of the great accolades for Jesus as He had approached Jerusalem just five days before.
As Governor of Judea, Pilate also had to placate officials of the Sanhedrin who Jesus offended in the Temple courts on Monday.
What’s a politically correct way to please the crowds who followed Jesus AND the Jewish leaders who help Pilate maintain the peace of Jerusalem?
The Judge of Judea will show mercy to this innocent man.
So the Prefect likely sent guards to the prison to bring a second previously condemned man to the governor near to Pilate’s position above the crowds. Now the Jews will see the truth of an innocent Man compared to an insurrectionist murderer like this prisoner Barabbas.
“I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”
IF you didn’t already know the ending of this Good Friday, you might jump up and applaud Pilate’s political correctness.
Everybody wins when the governor shows mercy. This powerful Roman governor of Judea seems to judge truth with great fairness.
BUT, as you know, crowds may be easily swayed from doing what is right.
40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”
Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
CSB
John 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.
To be continued...
Page TWO - Please click Page 2 below for the questions.
