When we got to the formal church parlor, i paused to take in the portraits of my predecessors hanging on the walls. In the book of hebrews, as in many places in the new testament, let us. It is the belief of this writer that the ministry of the two witnesses begins 11 12 days prior to the middle of the tribulation week. I know of no other book on hebrews 11 in the english language that contains more solid spiritual teaching and practical truth than this one. The cloud of witnesses in the courts of heaven by robert. He is also the author of the notes and appendixes of the companion bible and the author of numerous works including commentary on revelation, great cloud of witnesses, how to enjoy the bible, and number in scripture. Our ladies are doing a book study and the other day the book stated that the great cloud of witnesses were watching us. A cloud of witness examines the theology of the book in the light of its ancient historical context. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership.
I was only 27 at the time, in many ways too young to know. Filled with simple but profound lessons from wellknown saints, each page will give your child a short, memorable quote accompanied by a beautiful illustration of the saint who spoke or wrote it. Cloud of witnesses will be a much deserved respite, but at the same time it will intrigue and will have value to those interested in foreign and defense policy. Please expect some creasing to the spine andor minor damage to the cover. Time magazine once used it as a pun, describing a large gathering of. Melissa bane sevier introduces the 20172018 pwhorizons. 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, looking unto jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus, founder and perfecter of our faith 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 endurance the race that is set before us, looking to jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the. Hebrews 11 so great a cloud of witnesses teaching by. This is the way all the witnesses of hebrews 11 are helping us. The great cloud of witnesses exposition of hebrews 11. Without reservations, recommends cloud of witnesses to its readers. The reason pam and i are so excited is that we have seen personal visions, heard from others, and read in scripture that we not only have a cloud of witnesses that include the great people of the bible.
Apr 05, 2017 melissa bane sevier, author of the 20172018 pwhorizons bible study of presbyterian women pcusa, introduces the new study, cloud of witnesses. For ideas on how to use these studies most effectively, click here ruth perrin, the author, is on staff at kings church durham and holds an ma in theology and ministry recent additions. Now will you turn with me in the word of god to hebrews, chapter 11. Bullinger package genuine leather bible great cloud of witnesses hardcover hardcover enlarged how to enjoy the bible number in scripture ten sermons on the second advent witness of the stars word studies on the holy spirit. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also. It consists of thirteen chapters, all of which are packed with theology, metaphor. Soon after i was called as senior minister of first congregational church in burlington, vermont, a church member gave me a tour of the building. Aug 03, 2010 soon after i was called as senior minister of first congregational church in burlington, vermont, a church member gave me a tour of the building. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses the sermon this morning is based on a our second lesson from hebrews. Introduces a company of modern witnessessaints, peacemakers, an. But what exactly does the writer of hebrews mean by this idea of being surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. Here the writer to the hebrews exhorts all who profess faith in jesus christ. Melissa bane sevier, author of the 20172018 pwhorizons bible study of presbyterian women pcusa, introduces the new study, cloud of witnesses.
Thus in the second edition of his work a cloud of witnesses bell desires to make the history of the development of christian doctrine of the first 500 years of the church available, accessible, and easy to digest. Far from being an ivory tower commentary, this book touches life and makes living by faith an exciting and practical experience. Filled with simple but profound lessons from wellknown saints, each page will give your child a short, memorable quote accompanied by a. For ideas on how to use these studies most effectively, click here. The community of christ in hebrews by melissa bane sevier suggestions for leaders by sung hee chang the letter to the hebrews is a significant book of the bible, and is also significantly different from every other book in the bible.
A childs first book of saints will be your childs favorite introduction to friendship with the saints in heavenand probably yours, too. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 11 the. Bullingers discussion of hebrews xi, viewed through biographic accounts of biblical figures. It is definitely a common view i used to believe it, but is it a scriptural view. Though they are in heaven, these witnesses remain participating members of jesus church, playing an active part in the unfolding purposes of god on earth. Youll find everyone from gideon and andrew through to tamar and tabitha. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. It describes clouds just like the clouds you see in the sky. The supernatural intersection between your life and the heavenly cloud of witnesses. Introduction home page welcome to cloud of witnesses, a web site maintained by larry d. The great cloud of witnesses are the saints in heaven. Cloud of witnesses is a series of bible studies on the men and women of scripture. So abel is in the cloud of witnesses, and he is witnessing to us by his life through the scriptures. The book of hebrews has often been the cinderella of the new testamentoverlooked and marginalized.
Pdf the cloud of witnesses hebrews robert henderson. How should the cloud of witness motivate us to be faithful. The book of hebrews has often been the cinderella of the new testament, overlooked and marginalized. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that. The book of hebrews was written to a church that was getting old and was. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encum. Introduces a company of modern witnesses saints, peacemakers, an.
Hebrews 12 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. I would like to quote just part of the text from hebrews 11. Revelation has a reputation for being a difficult book to read and containing all kinds of strange prophecies, but on the whole the book was written. In the book of hebrews, scripture introduces us to the great cloud of witnessesbelievers who have gone before us, joining the ranks of those gathered before the throne of god. Because of faith, they were enabled to become good witnesses. Dec 09, 2008 a cloud of witness examines the theology of the book in the light of its ancient historical context. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses.
The greek word nephos, translated clouds, has an additional meaning. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses sermon by tim. This book is designed for those who may have recognized our christian heritage as a fertile field of resources for teaching and preaching, but have not yet found the key to unlock its. They have gathered along the sidelines of our race and they hold out their wounds and their joys and give us the best highfives we ever got. There are many scriptures here in chapter 11 and 12 of the book of hebrews that will be one of the greatest blessings we can. Although clouds of witnesses represents serious historiography, these essays challenge any reader to faith, selfevaluation, and commitment. Cloud of witnesses by jim wallis goodreads share book.
His approach the book is primarily narrative and easy for a reader at any level to digest and follow his train of thought. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us. We begin reading at the thirtysecond verse and read through the first verse of the twelfth chapter. From the foreword of great cloud of witnesses by warren w. There are chapters devoted to the structure of hebrews, the person of jesus christ, hebrews within the context of second temple judaism and the grecoroman empire and the role of hebrews in early christian thought. Those who thus encompass us, a countless host a cloud of witnesses, have had witness borne to them through their faith, and in turn stand forth as witnesses. This book would be a wonderful study guide for any bible class that desires to learn more about the shape of faith of those in other parts of the world. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw. They have gathered along the sidelines of our race and they hold out their wounds and their joys and give. The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on hebrews 12. In this enthralling 11episode teaching series on the book of hebrews, critical answers to the dilemma confronting the first century hebrew followers of messiah will be brought into the context of. We also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. We begin reading at the thirtysecond verse and read through the first verse o. In the bible, it talks about some of the great heroes of the faithpeople who loved god and tried to do what god wanted them to do.
We need to connect this word testimony or witness with hebrews 12. In the book of hebrews, scripture introduces us to the great cloud of witnesses believers who have gone before us, joining the ranks of those gathered before the throne of god. Bible a commentary on the book of revelation chapter 11. The cloud of witnesses in the courts of heaven book summary. There are chapters devoted to the structure of hebrews, the person of jesus christ, hebrews. The calendar in a great cloud of witnesses does not purport to be a definitive collection of saints, but rather an additional calendar of optional commemorations that. Aug, 2007 surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses the sermon this morning is based on a our second lesson from hebrews. The word great in this context means multitudes or many. In hebrews 11, the writer goes through a long list of faithful examples that the readers of the letter would do well to follow. Great cloud of witnesses in hebrews eleven dispensational. The text carries us a stage further in the metaphor, and shows us the company of runners standing ready, stripped, and straining at the startingpost, with. 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. Classic stories, littleknown episodes, famous sayings, and new readings of revelatory moments in christian history comprise this anthology. Oct 08, 2012 in this enthralling 11episode teaching series on the book of hebrews, critical answers to the dilemma confronting the first century hebrew followers of messiah will be brought into the context of.
Yet, it is one of the most interesting and theologically significant books in the new testament. The metaphor is so rich that it can easily be taken out of its context and has, in fact, been used as a handy tool in many settings. The author of this work is a master expositor who has taken the eleventh chapter of the book of hebrews, and revealed it to the reader in such a manner that the reader is possessed with the desire to walk with god into same faith as noah and joseph. Bullinger provides an alternative that appears more accurate and fitting within the context of hebrews 11. Who are the cloud of witnesses mentioned in hebrews 12. A critical lexicon bonded leather bible books commentary on revelation companion bible e. In context, the cloud of witnesses must refer to the people in the previous chapter. The believers of the past that have died dont watch us just inspire us to stand firm in our faith, right. The word worlds is translated from the greek aion, meaning age, in the sense of a period of time or a dispensation. I can assume it goes beyond the few hundreds of old and new testament saints to include every one that is with jesus and the father in heaven. Check out these helpful resources biblical commentary sermons childrens sermons hymn lists. Great cloud of witnesses the general convention of the. When most people read this verse, they imagine big, fluffy white clouds with old.