M
mannysee
Guest
I was reading the thread on praying to the saints and I wanted to change the subject slightly as the text below has been on my mind for some time.
"Seeing we have so great a cloud of witnesses..."
This quote in Hebrews -to my mind, in context- is a summary of what came before in the Hebrews ch. 11 text
i.e. all the examples listed of persons and their faith.
Now I want to say upfront that I do not believe that this text is saying that people in heaven can see us down here. Rather, the "cloud of witnesses" is a figure of speech for the group whole and their faith experiences while alive (presented in the preceding Hebrews chapter).
If you feel that this text does give support to the idea of people in heaven (specifically those mentioned in the group) observing us, then could you give your reasons.
I pose this question as my family believe this text supports the observing idea, through what their bible teacher taught. More thoroughly, they believe that they and their actions are constantly being watched by people in heaven.
Personally, I feel that this teaching burdens them to some degree with an unnecessary fear, but I won't go into that idea for the time being.
"Seeing we have so great a cloud of witnesses..."
This quote in Hebrews -to my mind, in context- is a summary of what came before in the Hebrews ch. 11 text
i.e. all the examples listed of persons and their faith.
Now I want to say upfront that I do not believe that this text is saying that people in heaven can see us down here. Rather, the "cloud of witnesses" is a figure of speech for the group whole and their faith experiences while alive (presented in the preceding Hebrews chapter).
If you feel that this text does give support to the idea of people in heaven (specifically those mentioned in the group) observing us, then could you give your reasons.
I pose this question as my family believe this text supports the observing idea, through what their bible teacher taught. More thoroughly, they believe that they and their actions are constantly being watched by people in heaven.
Personally, I feel that this teaching burdens them to some degree with an unnecessary fear, but I won't go into that idea for the time being.
