CLOUD OF WITNESSES.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us,] and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy
that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sometime ago, as I prayed I began to see a cloud, a thick smoke. I knew it was covering someone but I didn't see who the person is, I just knew there was a form there, I knew there is a person there trying to be seen, but the thick layers of smoke and cloud made me unable to see him. As I kept praying, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, he said "the church is now so clouded by the "cloud of witnesses" that they cannot even see me again!" I struggled with tears as I still tried to see through the thick cloud! I wept. And I could feel the deep emotions of the Holy Spirit. My prayer changed and I cried "dear Lord, make Jesus real to me!"
It dawned on me that our focus has been on Elijah, on Moses, on God's generals so much that we have missed the main person! The fact remains that no matter how great these generals are, at best they are just part of the body of Christ, at best they are men of God, and at the very best, they are an imperfect image of the perfect Jesus, so why look at the imperfect, when we have the perfect image of the father?
An encounter took place on the Palestenian soil, pricisely the mountain of Transfiguration. Let's look at it:
Mark 9:2-8 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
You know when I look at Peter I see the typical Christian in many ways... This is Peter at the mountain, he has witnessed an amazing encounter, and the Bible says he wanted to build 3 tabernacles!
3 TABERNACLES ... 3 MOVEMENTS
Peter wanted to raise 3 movements, one in honour of Jesus, the other in honour of Moses and the third in honour of Elijah! But can you see God's sharp rebuke from heaven! "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED... HEAR HIM! " and we see from the scriptures that a thick cloud covered them and when it lifted they saw no one but Jesus... God the father obliterated Elijah and Moses! I want only my express image " Jesus to be seen" Peter wanted to have three movements in which the Christian can pattern his life, the PROHETIC MOVEMENT, LAW MOVEMENT AND GRACE MOVEMENT. why is this so in the body of Christ, why the division? we must all strive to fixate on Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith!
Another incident took place where Peter like so many Christians today are trying to inquire about the calling or assignment of another Christian, comparing people and trying to figure out who has the greater ministry. That too met a sharp rebuke from Jesus, saying "FOLLOW ME" let's take a look.
John 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what [about] this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what [is that] to you? You follow Me."
The command is follow me, stop wandering the speed any man of God is running with, the size of his church etc, this brings competition and strive, Jesus said follow me! JUST IGNORE THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES (OR SAY, REDUCE THE KIND OF ATTENTION WE GIVE THEM!) , THEY ARE WATCHING YOUR RACE, YOU CAN NOT WIN FOCUSING ON THEM, FOCUS ON JESUS!
to be continued...
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us,] and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy
that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sometime ago, as I prayed I began to see a cloud, a thick smoke. I knew it was covering someone but I didn't see who the person is, I just knew there was a form there, I knew there is a person there trying to be seen, but the thick layers of smoke and cloud made me unable to see him. As I kept praying, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, he said "the church is now so clouded by the "cloud of witnesses" that they cannot even see me again!" I struggled with tears as I still tried to see through the thick cloud! I wept. And I could feel the deep emotions of the Holy Spirit. My prayer changed and I cried "dear Lord, make Jesus real to me!"
It dawned on me that our focus has been on Elijah, on Moses, on God's generals so much that we have missed the main person! The fact remains that no matter how great these generals are, at best they are just part of the body of Christ, at best they are men of God, and at the very best, they are an imperfect image of the perfect Jesus, so why look at the imperfect, when we have the perfect image of the father?
An encounter took place on the Palestenian soil, pricisely the mountain of Transfiguration. Let's look at it:
Mark 9:2-8 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
You know when I look at Peter I see the typical Christian in many ways... This is Peter at the mountain, he has witnessed an amazing encounter, and the Bible says he wanted to build 3 tabernacles!
3 TABERNACLES ... 3 MOVEMENTS
Peter wanted to raise 3 movements, one in honour of Jesus, the other in honour of Moses and the third in honour of Elijah! But can you see God's sharp rebuke from heaven! "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED... HEAR HIM! " and we see from the scriptures that a thick cloud covered them and when it lifted they saw no one but Jesus... God the father obliterated Elijah and Moses! I want only my express image " Jesus to be seen" Peter wanted to have three movements in which the Christian can pattern his life, the PROHETIC MOVEMENT, LAW MOVEMENT AND GRACE MOVEMENT. why is this so in the body of Christ, why the division? we must all strive to fixate on Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith!
Another incident took place where Peter like so many Christians today are trying to inquire about the calling or assignment of another Christian, comparing people and trying to figure out who has the greater ministry. That too met a sharp rebuke from Jesus, saying "FOLLOW ME" let's take a look.
John 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what [about] this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what [is that] to you? You follow Me."
The command is follow me, stop wandering the speed any man of God is running with, the size of his church etc, this brings competition and strive, Jesus said follow me! JUST IGNORE THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES (OR SAY, REDUCE THE KIND OF ATTENTION WE GIVE THEM!) , THEY ARE WATCHING YOUR RACE, YOU CAN NOT WIN FOCUSING ON THEM, FOCUS ON JESUS!
to be continued...
Great one Sir, Helpful article indeed... Waiting for the continuation ooo!
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ReplyDeleteWe bless God for the lives of these witnesses but Lord we look towards Jesus;the perfect image of the Father
ReplyDeleteThat should be our mindset... God bless you Debby
ReplyDeleteBravo!!! When is the continuation coming?
ReplyDeleteSoon.
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