Cloud of Witnesses

The Christian journey is a race and the Father has not left us to run it alone. We are surrounded by heaven’s cloud of witnesses.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB) “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, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Who are these “witnesses?” They are those of faith who have lived throughout the ages. These witnesses “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, escaped the edge of the sword, had weakness turned to strength, became powerful in battle and routed enemies, and raised the dead.” They were “tortured, flogged, put in jail, stoned, sawed in two, and killed by the sword.” They “went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated.” They “wandered in deserts and mountains, and lived in caves and holes in the ground.” The world was “not worthy of them.”

We are running the same race that they did. Through faith in Christ, we have joined with these ancient heroes of the faith. As people of God, our destiny is now tied to theirs:

Hebrews 11:39 (NIV) “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

We now live in a kind of “spiritual fellowship” with all those who have gone before us. Our faith is their faith.

Hebrews 12:22-23 (NASB) “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”

As the people of God, we have a responsibility. This responsibility is to steward and advance the faith of the Fathers and Mothers who came before us. These men and women believed God’s promises and dedicated their lives to these promises, even if they did not see the fulfillment. Their hearts were set not on themselves, but the greater good. So it should be for us.

The Bible says that these men and women “still speak” (Hebrews 11:4). It is their testimonies and the example of their lives that speak to those who live in modern times. Should we grow tired, disillusioned, or weary in our walk, we have the testimonies of believers throughout the ages who stayed faithful to the vision God had given them. This vision was often not for themselves, but for the entire family of God. The welfare of others is at the heart of any vision or purpose God gives us for our lives.

Imagine the living body of Christ working as a team to run a race in a huge amphitheater. In the stands is the cloud of witnesses, numbering in the millions. Among them are such figures as David, Noah, Samson, the prophets, John the Baptist, Elijah, and Daniel. To be sure, there are many others - thousands of saints and believers throughout the centuries who were (and are) deeply invested in the future of the faith and the coming end of the age. By faith, they still speak to us.

The Body of Christ is maturing. We must continually build upon the spiritual revelation of those who have walked before us. Their efforts in pursuing God were not in vain. They have left us with a fuller revelation of His character and a clearer sense of His purpose for the planet. They have planted spiritual seed for us to cultivate and harvest. We will do the same for future generations. We are stewarding a living faith: Christianity as a social-spiritual movement is the hope of the world.

The goal of our collective race is Christ’s return to earth. It will occur when the “removing of what can be shaken” is accomplished. Then, only the kingdom of God will remain. Our God is a consuming fire, and His love is burning through the pages of history to awaken us to this reality.