Great cloud of witnesses (GCofW)*

by: Maurice Paine
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GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES
“since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses”
Hebrews 12:1

We are surrounded by them. They are as numerous as to be likened to a great cloud. The picture drawn for us in the twelfth chapter of the Book of Hebrews suggests that knowledge of this great cloud has a profound influence upon us. They fill our horizon; we live and move beneath them.

WHO ARE THEY?
The fact that the writer describes them as so great a cloud and the “therefore” or “wherefore” that begins this chapter in the Book of Hebrews must relate to the long list found in the previous chapter. It is the list of the faithful – just a small selection of a large company, but enough to make us realise their importance to us. We shall need to look at each of them in detail …..