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John 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. The beautiful simplicity of His word and the light of His Character: [A.] 3 sets of 4, single syllables: His … di … sci … ples said … un … to … him Lo … now … speak … est [B.] 3 sets of 3, single syllables: thou … plain … ly and … speak … est no … pro ...verb.

If I may interject a prayerfully studied thought about the "so great cloud of witnesses" of Hebrews 12:1, for your (and others) consideration, in the light of its immediate context? It reads: Hebrews 12:1 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, I would ask, all reading, to take careful notice of the words "wherefore" and importantly, the "we also". The "wherefore" connects this verse (Hebrews 12:1) to the previous verses, Hebrews 11:1-40. Hebrews is written in building block format, beginning with the foundation stone in Hebrews 1, and builds upon each point, in its varied "therefore", "wherefore", and etc. statements, finally completing itself in Hebrews 13. More detail as necessary on that. Now, please consider the words "we also". These words in connection with the words "are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses", and the "wherefore", when studied most prayerfully, point us to 'the angelic hosts of heaven and the beings of the unfallen worlds', and not to the deceased saints from this earth, this fallen world. Follow me for a moment back to Hebrews 11, and then we will come back to Hebrews 12:1 again. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. The chapter begins by focusing upon "faith", of the "elders". These "elders", or Patriarchs & Matriarchs, of "faith", begin to be listed with "Abel" in Hebrews 11:4, but before him, please take especial notice of Hebrews 11:3, in which the words "the worlds" (plural; dealing with spacial) "were framed by the word of God". Also take note that Hebrews 11:2, repeats what Hebrews 1:2 stated: Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; This "world", 'earth', is not the only "world" that God created. More on this later. Look now to Hebrews 11:4 - Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. "Abel" is counted as one of the "elders" who had by his "faith" "obtained a good report". The question then becomes, 'By who?' For Paul (writer of Hebrews), says in Hebrews 12:1, that he (Abel, and the others listed in Hebrews 11:1-40; "Enoch", "Noah", "Abraham", "Sara", "Isaac", "Jacob", "Joseph", "Moses", "walls of Jericho (Joshua and Israel)", "Rahab", "Gedeon", "Barak", "Samson", "Jephthae", "David", "Samuel", various "women", etc.) had a "great cloud of witnesses" to their "faith", as well as for Paul and the current followers of God. This is why Hebrews 12:1 says, "we also". Therefore, "Abel", who being the first to die in the "faith", "obtained a good report", and "he obtained witness", even from God, of which it is said, "God testifying of his gifts", and was "compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses". The question becomes, who "witnessed" and "report[ed]" the "faith" of "Abel"? It cannot be anyone deceased, for no one had yet died (and he was the first), among other scriptural reasons, and it cannot be the living Adam, nor Eve, since they would have stopped Cain from killing Abel had they been around them both. It cannot be Cain, who was "of that wicked one" and gave a lying report. It could only have been 'God', and the 'angels and unfallen worlds' who were looking on, and the events transpiring here, because of Genesis 3:15. Now some may point to the word "witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), and say that the Koine Greek (G3144) reads "μαρτυρων", "marturwn". It surely does, and therefore, no need to struggle against the point. However, the word simply means to "witness", to bear "record", and does not always mean 'martyr' in the sense of 'dying' or being 'martyed' for the faith, though it can in proper context (see Revelation 17:6). For instance, the very same word is used in Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; Philippians 1:8: Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 2 Corinthians 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. Philippians 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. In fact, out of all the 34 times that G3144 is utilized in the NT, it is basically only used to mean 'martyr' in 3 passages (Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13, 17:6). One might make a case for 1 or 2 more, after a certain manner. The related word (G3140) is utilized in Romans 3:21 (ie. the "two witnesses", being "the law and the prophets", the Word of God, the Scriptures) - Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; If we look at "Enoch" (Hebrews 11:5), he never saw death, but God "took him", translating him, and thus would not fit the 'martyr' (dying) category even if one desired to still apply it in Hebrews 11, but his "testimony, [was] that he pleased God". Now, we know that "Abel" is not one looking on to the other faithful to follow, like Paul and or us, for Hebrews 11:2 clearly says of "Abel", "and by it he being dead yet speaketh." Now let us consider who is 'watching' us, in the Heavens, even upon the other unfallen 'worlds' (no, not little (or big) green, grey 'aliens' and the like, for that is 'sci-fi' (1 Timothy 6:20)). Consider that Hebrews 11:2, uses the word "cloud" in connection with these 'witnesses'. "Clouds" are associated with "angels" in scripture: Isaiah 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. For the angels are the heavenly 'waters' which surround God (heavenly "Watchers", "Watcher, and an Holy One"; Daniel 4:13,17,23, the "Holy One" is Jesus Christ (2 Kings 19:22; Job 6:10; Psalms 16:10, 71:22, 78:41, 89:18,19; Isaiah 1:4, 5:19,24, 10:17,20, 12:6, 17:7, 29:29,23, 30;11,12,15, 31:1, 37:23, 40:25, 41:14,16,20, 43:3,14,15, 45:11, 47:4, 48:17, 49:7, 54:5, 55:5, 60:9,14; Jeremiah 50:29, 51:5; Ezekiel 39:7; Hosea 11:9; Habakkuk 1:12, 3:3; Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Acts 2:27, 3:14, 13:35; 1 John 2:20). These are watching with intense interest the events upon this earth. 1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Now, as for the unfallen "worlds", and their unfallen populations, consider carefully: We are that one lost world (we are the 'aliens', the foreign element in a sinless universe, satan has reversed this, we, who are Christians, are the 'pilgrims', foreigners here now), whom the Son of God, 'Jesus', left the '99' for in Heaven to come and save us, that he might come from that "far country" (Isaiah 13:5; Matthew 21:33, 25:14; Mark 12:1; Luke 9:12, 20:9) and deliver us, and "return home" with us, that we may once again have a "place" among those "many mansions": Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? Matthew 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. There is of course a lot more to this, and with far greater detail, but I pray that this has been helpful to you and all in your studies. Thank you for your consideration. Any questions are welcomed.

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Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

I will change your name ... (Quick question: Should I post individual threads for each video, or can I have a cummulative thread? Please let me know, thank you! Hope you enjoy this song as I do, it always moves me towards Christ Jesus.)