Such A Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 1

Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses Part 1
Hebrews 11-12

 Athletes are aware of those who are watching how they perform. Usually it is family, friends, coaches, and just what they would call normal people. Though a good athlete will always want to do their best, these people watching do not usually produce a higher level of anxiety or pressure. However, when it is a game where there are scouts watching or high-ranking players watching the stakes are suddenly higher and more pressure is felt. This pressure occurs because now that player knows that those who know the sport and the details of every play are watching. The observers know what it takes to make the plays and they know what didn’t happen when a mistake is made. They are not just playing in front of those who just enjoy watching the sport or have come to cheer on their friend or family member. They are playing in front of experienced, seasoned experts. Experts who could not be fooled and whom excuses would not be accepted.

 I have read Hebrews many times. I have heard Hebrews 11 preached and I have heard Hebrews 12 preached. However, I have never heard Hebrews 11 and 12 preached together or connected. In fact I never really connected Hebrews 11 to the therefore of Hebrews 12. Recently in my reading of Hebrews I read chapter 11 and decided to continue into chapter 12 and something clicked. That great cloud of witnesses that are watching me changed from just being friends, family, and people to the great witnesses that chapter 11 had just described in great detail. Suddenly, I realized I am not just running this race in front of those who are watching for enjoyment or because they know me. I am running this race in front of experienced, seasoned martyrs who know the cost, paid the cost, and now watch me run. They have passed the baton and it is my turn.

These are those who God is not afraid to be called their God, who the world were not worthy of and so now my race has a heavier burden to carry as I continue what they have begun. So who are these witnesses? Are they just people from long ago who have nothing to do with life now? Is the way they lived their lives irrelevant to us because it was a different time and culture? Should we really even stop to look at what they did? I believe we should. Primarily, because it is in scripture and scripture tells us that all scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16) Also, because we can learn great truth from others lives and walks with God. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. I believe that we can learn from their lives. God was pleased with these and I want Him to be pleased with me. Let’s examine those listed in Hebrews 11, others in scripture, and others throughout history, and even modern day to see what we can learn. First there are the men of old found in Hebrews 11. This passage talks about men of old. It starts with Abel and him offering a better sacrifice than Cain and he still speaks though dead by his faith. (Gen 4) Then it talks about Enoch who never saw death because he was pleasing to God. (Gen 5:22-24) There is Noah who built an ark amid ridicule and mocking by faith in a God he revered. (Gen 6-7) Abraham comes next because he left his country and followed God not knowing where he was going. He lived as an alien in the land of promise. Offered up his only son, the promise, and hope of God to him. (Gen 11-26) Sarah was able to have a baby pass the time of child bearing considering Him faithful who had promised. (Gen 18) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (Gen 27) Jacob blesses the sons of Joseph and worshipped. (Gen 47-48) Joseph prophesied about the exodus and gave orders concerning his bones. (Gen 50) Moses had faithful parents who hid him, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter and to endure ill-treatment, left Egypt, kept the Passover, led the people through the Red Sea. (Exodus 2-14) Joshua led the children of Israel around Jericho for seven days. (Joshua 6) Rahab welcomed the spies in peace. (Joshua 2) Then there are the others like Gideon (Jdg 6-8), Barak (Jdg 4-5), Samson (Jdg 13-16), Jephthah (Jdg 11-12) , David (1 Sam, others), Samuel (1 & 2 Sam), the prophets.

 There are other examples in the Bible that we can look at that set examples for us to follow. Mary (Jesus mom) agreed to will of God knowing the persecution she would endure. (Luke 1) Joseph chose to obey and follow the hard road and take Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1) John the Baptist chose to live a life of dedication and sacrifice with single-hearted devotion to God, beheaded. (Gospels) Stephen proclaimed the Gospel even through being stoned to death. (Acts 7) Paul laid aside his desires and life to follow God any and everywhere He led him. Suffered beatings, persecutions, being imprisoned, being in want, and so much more. (Acts, Epistles) Soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword. Then there are the disciples. To find this information I went to Foxe's Book of Martyrs online. Simon Peter was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. Andrew on his arrival at Edessa was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. James (Son of Zebedee) was beheaded in A.D. 44. John from Ephesus was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. Phillip suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54. Bartholomew was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters. Matthew was slain with a halberd (a weapon especially of the 15th and 16th centuries consisting typically of a battle-ax and pike mounted on a handle about six feet long) in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60. Thomas preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.1 James (Aplheus’ son) at the age of ninety-four was beaten and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club. Thaddeus/Jude was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72. Simon (The Zealot) was crucified, A.D. 74. Matthias (Replaced Judas) was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

 But some would say where are the modern day believers? There are also a multitude of modern day martyrs. William Tyndale was brought forth to the place of execution, he was tied to the stake, strangled by the hangman, and afterwards consumed with fire, at the town of Vilvorde, A.D. 1536; crying at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice, "Lord! Open the king of England's eyes." There is also a huge collection of the lives of these believers that can be found in biographies, in Fox’s Book of Martyrs, at Voice of the Martyrs, and at opendoorusa.org. At Voice of the Martyrs and in devotionals such as Extreme Devotion you can find current day martyrs.