The Cloud of Witnesses
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Q: Our ladies
are doing a book study and the other day the book stated
that the great cloud of witnesses were watching us. I
disagreed. The believers of the past that have died don't
watch us --just inspire us to stand firm in our faith,
right? I need scripture references if anyone other than God
watches us from heaven.
A: 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,
In context, the cloud of witnesses must refer to the people
in the previous chapter. Hebrews Eleven is known as the Hall
of Faith because of all the references to men and women of
faith who have gone on before and shown us the way of faith.
I do not think anyone can honestly read the last verses of
this chapter (Hebrews 11:34-40) and then go straight to
Hebrews 12:1 and miss the connection. Clearly, you have seen
this and you are right.
Although it may be fascinating to think of those in heaven
looking down on our lives and cheering us on, this is not
the meaning of the text. In
Hebrews 12:1, we are the ones seeing the witnesses by
looking back on their records and deeds of time past. They
are not the ones seeing us.
Also, it seems to me that it would take a lot out of the
blessing of heaven if the saints saw everything that was
going on down on earth. How
discouraging! Can you imagine reading an earthly daily
newspaper in heaven? The Bible says that nothing that
defiles can enter there (Revelation 21:27). That would apply
to most of what goes on down on earth.
However, I am not prepared to say that nothing of earthly
happenings are known by the saints in heaven. In Luke 15:10,
Jesus stated, "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that
repenteth." When a sinner repents, there is joy in the
presence of the angels. That means that this joy occurs in
heaven. Also, it is in the presence of the angels--it does
not say that it is the angels who are rejoicing. If it is
not the angels, it must be either God or some of the saints
of heaven. Either way, it would seem strange if such an
event occurred and the residents of heaven knew nothing
about its purpose.
Therefore, I believe that although the day to day events of
earth are not known to the saints in heaven, they may get
occasional reports of spiritual blessings. Though this is
speculation, I can see a heavenly saint rejoicing and
glorifying God because an angel just reported to her that
her great-grandson just got saved. Yet, I suppose that we
will have to get there ourselves before we know for sure how
much is known. But
that does not keep us from looking forward to that day.
Thank you for the question.
Till He comes,
Pastor David Reagan
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