MARCH 25
A CLOUD OF WITNESSES
“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.”
Hebrews 12:1
Chapter divisions were made by man, and while we will not quarrel with them over
their decisions, betimes we need to connect the first verse of a new chapter
with the final verses of the preceding one, and such is the case here. “And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the
promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39-40).
The writer to the Hebrews has brought to mind a great array of men and women of
faith, “who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises…” Their exploits were many and definite testimony to their faith in
their Go. Yet these all died in faith, embracing a vision of entering into full
perfection, and they have now become that great cloud of witnesses to observe
that which God is doing in His people in this generation and time. Without a
doubt they are also supporting us, and as “ministering spirits” coming to our
aid many times, though we are not aware of their ministry, for our eyes are
single to Him who “is the Author and the Finisher of our faith”. But they also
are eagerly watching to see how we shall come through our testings, by God’s
grace, to be made perfect, for in our perfection is the TIME SCHEDULE when they
also shall be manifested in their perfection. Not just “spirits of just men made
perfect,” but also perfected souls to be clothed upon with a perfected, glorious
body.
They saw the promise, embraced it, believed it, but could not obtain because of
the timing – born, as it were, out of due season. Because God has us in mind,
and had something greater and better in view for us so that they should not come
to perfection apart from us, that is, before we could join them. What shouts of
victory fill the cloud of witnesses when God’s chosen of this hour gain new
advances over the world and its allurements, for it means their final perfection
is also drawing near.
Ray Prinzing
Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700
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