"Great Cloud of Witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1)

(Class Notes)

• Faith, the Elders and Us (Hebrews 11:1-3)
  • The definition of the faith that trusts the Promiser (Hebrews 10:23) and, therefore, endures patiently to receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36)
  • The report of the elders (Isaiah 53:1), which is the testimony of the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) concerning the Leader and Perfecter of their faith (Hebrews 12:2 cf. Hebrews 2:10)
  • Through faith we understand that the Word of the invisible God is what shapes events and not the visible leaders of the day
    • Moses trusted the invisible God and did not fear the wrath of the king (Hebrews 11:27)
    • Joseph trusted the invisible God who meant it for good, rather than his brothers who purposed evil (Genesis 50:19-21 cf. Genesis 37:9-11; Genesis 41:41-44)

• "By faith": Seven Witnesses (Hebrews 11:4-12)
  • Abel and his witness of a righteous approach unto God (Hebrews 11:4)
  • Enoch and his witness of a pleasing walk with God (Hebrews 11:5-6)
    • Note that Enoch walked with God AFTER he begat Methuselah (Genesis 5:22)
  • Noah and his witness of becoming an heir of righteousness (Hebrews 11:7)
  • Abraham and his witness of receiving an inheritance (Hebrews 11:8) - an invisible city built by God (Hebrews 11:10)
  • Isaac and Jacob and their witness of being heirs of the same promise with Abraham (Hebrews 11:9)
  • Sarah and her witness of resurrection - conceiving seed (Hebrews 11:11) from one who was as good as dead (Hebrews 11:12)

• "These all died in faith": Strangers and Pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13-16)
  • Earthly strangers and pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13)
    • Question: Why didn't they receive the promises?
    • Answer: Their resurrection is not to occur without that of Israel's future faithful remnant
      (Hebrews 11:39-40 cf. Revelation 12:1,17)
  • Seeking a new country (Hebrews 11:14) and not mindful of their old country (Hebrews 11:15)
  • Desiring a better country, a heavenly country, an invisible city prepared by God (Hebrews 11:16)

• By faith: Seven Witnesses (Hebrews 11:17-31)
  • Abraham and his witness of resurrection - offered up the seed of promise whom God was able to raise up from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19)
  • Isaac and Jacob and their witness of blessing:
    • Isaac overcoming the will of the flesh (Hebrews 11:20)
    • Jacob overcoming the will of man (Hebrews 11:21)
  • Joseph and his witness of hope - waiting for Israel's departure from Egypt (Hebrews 11:22)
  • Moses:
    • His birth (Hebrews 11:23) - his parents witness of concealment (overcoming the fear of man)
    • His manhood (Hebrews 11:24-26) - his witness of choice in riches (overcoming the praise of man)
    • His old age (Hebrews 11:27) - his witness of exposure (overcoming the fear of man)
  • Israel:
    • Its witness of redemption - the Passover and the Red Sea (Hebrews 11:28-29)
    • Its witness of conquest - Jericho (Hebrews 11:30)
  • Rahab and her witness of salvation - she perished not with them (Hebrews 11:31)

• "Through faith": Seven Witnesses and Us (Hebrews 11:32-38)
  • The Judges:
    • Gideon (Judges 6 and Judges 7) and his individual witness of faith
    • Barak (Judges 4 and Judges 5) and his faith encouraged and realized through women (Deborah and Jael)
    • Samson (Judges 13; Judges 14; Judges 15; Judges 16) and his faith despite his ruin by women (his wife and Delilah)
    • Jephtha (Judges 11 and Judges 12) and his individual witness of faith
  • David, the king (Matthew 1:6) and his witness of the promise of an eternal kingdom (II Samuel 7:11-16)
  • Samuel, the link between the judges and the prophets, (I Samuel 7:15 cf. Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20), the anointer of David, the king (I Samuel 16:13)
  • The Prophets and their witness of the sufferings and the glory to follow of Israel' s King, Who would bring Israel salvation (I Peter 1:10-12 cf. Acts 2:29-39)
  • The witness of faith conquering thru God (Hebrews 11:33-35)
  • The witness of faith suffering for God (Hebrews 11:36-38)

• "These all died in faith": Hope of Resurrection (Hebrews 11:39-40)
  • Their resurrection is not to occur without that of Israel's future faithful remnant - the hope of Israel as well as ours is based upon the resurrection of the Promiser (Acts 23:6 cf. Acts 26:6-7; Acts 28:20)

Study Outline

Audio Message (Summary)