What is the Great Cloud of Witnesses?

« What Do Sacraments Do In the Modern Church?

What is the Great Cloud of Witnesses?

January 17, 2008 by Peg

Here’s another question from the list of reader queries.

The “great cloud of witnesses” is part of a quotation from Hebrews 12:1-2 - “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, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

It’s a powerful thought, one that many Christians down through the ages (myself included) have been comforted and encouraged by.

So who does the “great cloud of witnesses” refer to? To find the answer we need to look to the previous chapter, Hebrews 11. Here are the names of the people of faith listed there:

Abel – offered a better sacrifice by faith and was commended as righteous
Enoch – by faith he pleased God, so he never experienced death
Noah – by faith he obeyed God’s command and turned his back on a world of evil
Abraham – obeyed God and went where God told him to go, without knowing where this would be. He made his home in the Promised Land even though he was a stranger there. From him came “descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky”.
Isaac – Abraham’s promised child, who by faith blessed Jacob and Esau
Jacob – who by faith blessed Joseph’s sons
Joseph – who by faith gave instructions that his bones should one day be carried out of Egypt and buried in the Promised Land
Moses’ parents – who by faith hid Moses from the edict of Pharaoh and did not leave him to die
Moses – who, though adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, by faith refused to be known as her son, and “chose to be mistreated along with the people of God”. By faith he kept the first Passover.
The People of Israel – who by faith passed through the Red Sea
Rahab – who by faith welcomed God’s spies, saving her family from the fall of Jericho

Also “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword… (Heb. 11:32-33)

In other words, the great cloud of witnesses are all those people who have lived before us — whether famous or not – who have lived lives of faith, following God, worshipping Jesus, leaving for us a rich spiritual legacy.

Thinking about their lives, how they lived, what they lived for, and how they died, is an inspiration. Their example shows us how to have that kind of faith and how to live it.

In addition to the faithful listed in the Bible, many Christian traditions give the title “saint” to people who have lived great lives of faith. But there are many, many more people in the “great cloud” whose names are not so well known.

I think of it almost like our military veterans: how many thousands upon thousands of people have served in the armed forces to preserve our freedom? And how many of those do we know by name? We know the famous ones, and then we know the ones who came from our own families and neighborhoods. I think the great cloud of witnesses is like that. That’s why I keep my own Roll of Honor to honor those whose names are not so well known (see the link above to the “Great Cloud of Witnesses” page).

So who is on YOUR personal roll of honor? Feel free to post their names here, first names only if you prefer.

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Faith, Faith Chat, God, Jesus, Kingdom, Life, Q and A, Spirituality, Theology | 51 Comments

51 Responses

on January 17, 2008 at 8:08 pm | Reply florida1starcorp

Captain Joe !
on January 17, 2008 at 11:11 pm | Reply Aaron G

My Grandma and Grandpa, who prayed for their lost and rebelious grandson every day, and like many of the witnesses in Hebrews 11 they didnt see the fruit of their prayers till well after they had passed away.
- on February 22, 2011 at 10:19 am | Reply daryl
  
  aaron g is my son intials. Maybe he wrote this comment yrs. ago
  - on February 24, 2011 at 6:03 pm Peg
    
    Aaron G has written a couple blogs of his own — if you click on his name (above) it will take you to one. Let me know if it is him!
on January 18, 2008 at 7:26 pm | Reply Peg

I think God pays special attention to the prayers of grandparents!
- on March 21, 2012 at 9:34 am | Reply John
  
  Yes,I believe He does. I am a Nigerian and we believe a lot that prayers or blessings of grand parents are answered a lot.
on January 18, 2008 at 8:33 pm | Reply Elizabeth

Hey – good post! I’m glad you found me, because I really like your blog and will a regular reader now.

I love the idea of a “roll of honor.” I’ll have to ponder the many people I’d put on my own roll.
on January 19, 2008 at 7:31 pm | Reply Peg

Elizabeth,

Thanks! I’m glad I found your blog too and will link to it shortly. I just skimmed your “About” page and whoooooo man do we have a lot we can talk about! Hubby and I are off to a BD party, will post more later, asap.
on January 23, 2008 at 5:18 pm | Reply Mark Phillips

I love the music videos and you food for thought.

for sure when He comes again He will come in the clouds.

Coming with a great cloud of witnesses …………

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints Jude 1:14

God Bless you,
BrotherMark
on January 25, 2008 at 12:40 am | Reply Peg

Hi Mark and welcome! Thanks for your comment, I’m glad you enjoy my blog. Pop on back anytime. All blessings!
on May 22, 2009 at 8:43 am | Reply Dan Nolta

I found your website while researching a sermon…”Great Cloud of Witnesses. I wrote a devotional series outlining my own witnesses as you suggest. Great idea. Here are mine with all their name…I am proud and joyful of their lives:
Second grade teacher: Mrs. Earhart
Biology teacher: Mr. Sutherlin
Spiritual parents: Dr. Wayne and Bertie Roberst
Spiritual mentors: Clynton and Marjorie Crisman
Spiritual companion and wife: Judi Nolta

They spur me on and encourage my faithfulness.
on May 22, 2009 at 10:32 pm | Reply Peg

Thanks Dan for sharing your roll of honor. God bless you, and them, and your congregation as you speak to them about the great cloud of witnesses.
on October 2, 2009 at 9:51 am | Reply Bonnie

What a wonderful website and a way to honor that great cloud of witnesses. So many people in my life, but especially my grandmothers, my father and mother who are all now part of that radiant light showing each of us the way.
on October 31, 2009 at 10:55 pm | Reply Peg

Hi Bonnie, Sorry for the delay in replying — somehow I missed your post. God bless your family with the light your parents and grandparents have shared.
on November 4, 2009 at 11:51 am | Reply vicki derby

These are the people on my honor roll who prepared me for my life with Christ. My Mom Flo, My Father Norman, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, my pastor Carl Montgomery, and the many Sunday school teachers that taught me. Thank you for your web site. Vicki
on November 7, 2009 at 8:08 am | Reply Peg

Vicki, thank you for sharing your roll of honor! God bless each person on your list.
on December 16, 2009 at 1:42 pm | Reply Tami

My husband David died by suicide 8/09/09. By reading this verse in hebrews today, It gave great comfort. He knew Jesus personally and to know that he is looking down eases my pain a lot. If you could give me some more scripture that refers to these awsome souls please do so.
on December 16, 2009 at 7:33 pm | Reply Peg

Tami, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Death is never a welcome thing, but suicide is particularly difficult. I’m glad you have found some comfort in the Hebrews passage.

You ask about other scripture references… there are not a whole lot of verses in the Bible that tell us what our loved ones are doing in the next life, but of the ones there are, most are in the book of Revelation. 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 to be a comfort to believers who are going through difficult times. The comfort comes from knowing that ultimately God is in charge and He loves and defends His people. Here are a few verses from Revelation to get you started…

Revelation 5:11-13 “Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, “To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!”

Revelation 7:9-17 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!”

And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple; and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Blessings,
Peg
on April 8, 2010 at 12:33 pm | Reply Kim

In fond memory of LaFon Brown – gone on before us to Glory one year ago.
on April 12, 2010 at 11:29 am | Reply Peg

Blessings Kim – thank you for sharing and sympathies on the anniversary of your loss.
on October 12, 2010 at 2:06 pm | Reply Andrea Hill

Karsten Berg, my dear friend and colleague, promoted suddenly to glory September 17th 2010. He was prolific in his encouraging me to apply to Bible College for mission training and invested in my future calling. he had a love for reading and borrowed all of my CS Lewis books,which we would discuss. I shall miss him very much though I know he is Forever with the LORD.
on October 14, 2010 at 5:54 pm | Reply Peg

Andrea, people of such faith and encouragement like Karsten are few and far between — treasured when they’re here and greatly missed when they move on to glory. Praise God for his friendship, vision, and generosity. Thanks for sharing.
on November 2, 2010 at 12:19 am | Reply p s

The OP mentions many saints, but no one else does.

My personal “roll of honor” includes the Virgin Mary, St. John Chrysostom, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Romanos the Melodist, and the Apostles (not just the 12, but the 70 and those who evangelized the Gentiles, including Paul). I encourage whomever reads this to find out who these saints are.

In a nutshell, these people are “witnesses” that have fought the good fight and have “run with perserverance the race” (Heb 12:1). We know these by name, through the Grace that was evident in their lives, but as the OP mentions, “there are many, many more people in the ‘great cloud’ whose names are not so well known.” Right you are, for every friend of God is a saint, whether passed into the next life or not.

And as Christians, we believe that we go from life to life (the ultimate conclusion of NOT believing this is that we deny the message of Christ). Therefore, we ask saints for their prayers, just the same as we ask our family and friends, for the saints are still alive in Christ, though having passed on from this temporal life, as we all must do eventually. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16), and the saints are THE definition of “righteous.”

May God bless us all and have mercy on us.
on November 24, 2010 at 1:30 am | Reply Peg

A belated “thank you” to P S for the above post. The saints are witnesses indeed, and their lives (and often martyrdoms) shed light on life’s path for the church throughout the centuries. No matter what a person’s church background or affiliation I recommend reading and learning as much about the saints as possible.
- on December 12, 2010 at 12:40 am | Reply p s
  
  “… and their lives (and often martyrdoms) shed light on life’s path for the church throughout the centuries.”
  
  Too true! This is why the walls of so many Orthodox monasteries are painted red: the blood of the Martyrs is the mortar with which we build the Church.
on December 3, 2010 at 1:35 am | Reply Carla

I really enjoyed this read. I have such a list of men and women of faith who’s names are not known. There’s no way possible I could list them ALL here, but I have them in my heart
on December 13, 2010 at 10:51 pm | Reply Peg

Amen.
on February 28, 2011 at 10:57 pm | Reply The Archegos | Sermons of a Lectionary Preacher

[...] – Clippings Lectionary Planning Helps for Sundays | GBOD | Equipping World-Changing Disciples What is the Great Cloud of Witnesses? � Getting Started This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← A Few Thoughts on Faith [...]
on March 26, 2011 at 10:02 pm | Reply REBECCA DEW

I have an “Roll of Honor” that was so precious in my life. My daddy, that went to be with the Lord on March 10, 2000. and my daughter that just went to Glory on February 11, 2011. She was 37 yrs. young. She had colon cancer…a terrrible disease. She had great faith and suffered so much. I know she is in the great cloud of witness’. Over 700 people attended her funeral. 10 people were saved that night at church. She love the Lord and talked to everyone about Him and always gave Him the glory for everything. She was my best friend. She lives in my heart. It has only been 6 wks and seems like yesterday. I miss her so much. Jennifer Dew Worrell is in the great cloud of witness’. I look forward to seeing her soon!
on March 26, 2011 at 11:38 pm | Reply Peg

Rebecca, thank you so much for posting. Your words brought tears to my eyes. My deepest sympathies on the passing of your daughter — taken too soon. I give thanks to God for her life and her courage and her faith (which I’m sure is as much a comfort to you as to her) and for the TEN!! people who will live forever in heaven because of her final witness. God grant us grace to bring souls with us too when it’s our time to go home to Him.

I’m honored to have your Dad remembered here too, especially with your having just observed the 11th anniversary of his passing.

Forgive me if this is too personal, but I have to ask… six weeks really *is* yesterday, and you have a long road ahead of you… are your friends and family walking with you through this valley and keeping you company and keeping you in prayer?

God’s peace to you and yours,
Peg
on June 29, 2011 at 10:59 pm | Reply Irm Brown

Thought you might enjoy another take on this topic:
http://irmgardebrown.com/2011/06/29/cloud-of-witnesses/

Found your post serendipitously. Blessings. I Brown
on October 21, 2011 at 9:53 pm | Reply awineglass

Ezekiel Sambo…famous deaf educator, elder statesman. Until we meet again.
on October 22, 2011 at 6:46 am | Reply Peg

Amen and amen. Thank you for sharing. Mr. Sambo’s life is an inspiration to read about: http://www.gallaudet.edu/documents/alumni/sambo_citation%5B1%5D.pdf
on December 3, 2011 at 6:11 pm | Reply Brandon

Thanks man was wondering who they were haha
on December 4, 2011 at 7:37 pm | Reply Peg
on December 22, 2011 at 1:55 am | Reply Julie Farragher

Tom Farragher, my Dad who went home to heaven 11-11-2011
on December 23, 2011 at 6:18 pm | Reply Peg

Amen. And my sympathies — this will be our first Christmas without Mom this year. It’s a bittersweet time.
on January 20, 2012 at 2:35 am | Reply Adesola Paul

I loved this.
on January 20, 2012 at 2:40 am | Reply Adesola Paul

I loved this. My Father in the Lord Pa Ayinmodu daddy You are faithful to the Lord during your lifetime that has really become a sourse of encouragement may you soul rest in perfect peace sir.
on January 20, 2012 at 7:00 am | Reply Peg

Amen Paul
on February 29, 2012 at 11:34 pm | Reply Lesley Claster

Grandpa Andrew Charles, lover of my soul from God! First World War.
My Dad, Tod Wilson, now 90: Jesus’ love in my life.
My Mom, Rita Wilson, 90, present at the great spiritual crossroads of my history.
My husband Bob Claster, my love gift, with the Lord at age 53, April 28, 2010.
My sister, Gaye, shining example of childlike faith that awes me.
Ellen Bowman, spiritual mentor who believed in me.
I’m so blessed to be able to honor them.
on March 2, 2012 at 8:20 pm | Reply Peg

Amen Lesley… thank you for sharing. May God bless your family!
on March 3, 2012 at 11:42 am | Reply olukunle,aderoye o.

My dad, who has slept but not yet in glory. Pstr M O Aribido,are example of personalities in the Great Cloud of Witnesses. Go sustain Pstr Aribido to the end
on March 4, 2012 at 6:53 am | Reply Peg

Amen!
on March 6, 2012 at 12:34 am | Reply mkrittmeyer

My Grandmas were ordinary women who no one remembers except her grandchildren, and maybe great-grandchildren. Both were poor, but devoted their lives, Christ living in and through them, to take care of their extended families, friends, and neighbors. I still have my Mom and Dad with me, but at ages 88 and 92, I know and they know not for much longer. They are my Saints too — salt of the Earth people. How have readers dealt with the deaths of their mothers and fathers? It’s going to be very hard for me even though they have lived long and good lives.
on March 7, 2012 at 8:02 am | Reply Peg

God bless the memories of your faithful grandparents and great-grandparents, and the lives of your parents!

You ask a good question… I’ll add some thoughts and ask others to do the same. In my case Dad is still living, Mom passed last summer. Speaking for myself and my three siblings we all felt Mom had a “good death” in the sense that she was ready to go home and be with our Lord and she faced the final journey without fear. She had pancreatic cancer for the last year of her life so she knew the end was coming and she thought ahead to what our family would need. She went over her will and last directives with us and gave us each personal gifts about six months before she died. She also asked each of us to play a part in her memorial service: my sister was to do the reception, I was to provide the music, and so on… so when the time came we all knew what her last wishes were and exactly what we needed to do. Her thinking ahead to all these things, and taking the time to bring closure to any issues there might be (personal, financial, health, or otherwise) and say final “I love you”s made the experience infinitely easier for us when the time came. Grief is still there of course… and that tends to come and go, hits at odd moments… but for me being able to play for her service, and then help lead another service in her honor in the town where I live (about 300 miles away) made a huge difference in facing the reality of her loss and also understanding the reality of her joy now that “faith has become sight” in the presence of Jesus.
on March 7, 2012 at 7:48 pm | Reply Gerri Werl Newcamp

Peg was my college roommate, she had the honor of knowing both of my parents rather well. She would tell you that my mother and I were always very close, and my father and I, well… had a rather rocky relationship during adolescence and through college. During our Junior year at Duquesne my mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. She was only 53 at the time. Her downhill decline lasted for fifteen years. For the last eight or nine years of her life, she recognized no one, and spent her final years in places like Mayview State Hospital. I can say that when God closes a door, he does open a window. As my mother slowly slipped away, my father and I grew increasingly closer, and eventually became my best friend, I lost my father quite suddenly (heart attack) on September 23, 1987. My mother lingered on several more years and finally found peace on July 9, 1993. I was devastated by my father’s death, yet somehow felt relief when my mom died… I guess I felt that she had suffered enough.

There’s no way to “prepare” for the death of your parents. You just don’t know how you are going to feel when it happens. I am glad, however, that my father and I were able to make peace with each other, I know my mom would have been very happy to know that. I miss them both terribly, but I have no regrets. I told them both how much I loved them… maybe a million times or more. I did what I could to help them while they were here on this earth, and I try to honor their memory whenever I can by trying to be the kind of person, employee, friend, and parent that they would be proud of.
on March 7, 2012 at 11:24 pm | Reply Gina

Peg what a beautiful page. I would like to add to the honor roll my dad (George), i would not be the person i am today without his guidance and understanding and all the love he showed me. I know he is my guardian angel now and i feel his presence with me. I would also like to add my grandparents, and my uncle chuck and aunt blanch very special people in my life who i miss dearly. Also my cousin Danny
Thanks Gina
on March 8, 2012 at 4:56 pm | Reply Peg

Hollie, a friend from church, posted the following in reply on Facebook. Copying with her permission:

Hi Peg, I have a lot of experience, strength and hope to offer on this topic. Especially if the person didn’t have that great of a relationship with the parent/person before they passes but they know at a certain point it’s inevitable due to an illness or something. It’s really hard…even when you think your prepared, you’re not….My best suggestion is to say everything you’ve ever wanted to say to them but haven’t, let them know how much you really do love, value and enjoy being around them and most of all they are truely wanted and needed. And show it, cuz actions speak much louder than words ever will….Everyone wants to be liked and nobody wants to feel like others don’t want them around. I also had to find a lot of forgiveness, let go of past hurts and accept the God has a path for everyone including him. He had no spirituality in his life so I gave him some of mine. When he passed I had no regrets and I know I did everything I could possibly do to enjoy to the max the little time he did have left. I miss him all the time. I don’t think that part of me will ever go away. I talk to him somtimes to when I’m feeling down and afterwards I always feel better. I know he’s in a much better place now, his soul has healed and he’s with our Maker.
on March 8, 2012 at 5:15 pm | Reply Peg

@Gerri and Gina – thank you both for your replies. Gerri – did you know our mothers passed on the same day? Different year, but same date (July 9).

Adding George & Lois to the Honor Roll, with Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” playing in the background.

Adding “Big George” to the Honor Roll with fond memories of his voice and his love for music and for his family. Also your grandparents, uncle, aunt, and cousin.

Gerri wrote: “I try to honor their memory whenever I can by trying to be the kind of person, employee, friend, and parent that they would be proud of.”

I think that’s the key. We carry on their legacy… we are their investment in the present and the future… and the best we can do is live our lives in a way that would make them proud.
on March 8, 2012 at 5:22 pm | Reply Peg

@Hollie – thank you for sharing your story. It’s amazing, in the face of death, how values and priorities and actions change… we often find we want to forgive even people who have hurt us deeply, because we don’t want them facing eternity in pain or alone. Forgiveness is for *our* healing but as you found it brings healing and good things to the other person as well.