HEBREWS CHAPTER 12 VERSES 1-6    

The life of a Christian answers to the course and the race according to God’s design. We are in Biblical spiritual training to run the course to attain unto the reward/prize of first-born sons to reside and rule with God from the heavens, and not fall out of the race. What was set before us in the 11th chapter of Hebrews was Scriptural examples of that inheritance, and also of those who obtained it; that is those who were the just continuing to live by faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) This being a spiritual dynamic outside the Mosaic Covenant of Law, as the earthly blessings promised in the Mosaic Law to the obedient Jew, were/are hindrances in running this race.  

VERSE 1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses….” This statement is the Old Testament saints set before us having successfully ran the race, as the Holy Spirit has openly declared, as He did in another place by Paul in 2nd Timothy 3:1-4:8… “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: (first resurrection day) and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (them who love His appearing are them who are watching for and anxious for His appearing) These great cloud of witnesses all now await in Hades, the intermediate place of all dead, in the center of the earth (Luke 16), for that day of the awarding of the prize, that being a place in His Kingdom at the Second Appearing of Jesus. These being, now to us who are presently in the race, sure witnesses of exemplary lives lived in continuing faith through much sufferings evidenced by many achievements. The idea being clearly conveyed through their examples is that our course and race will have sufferings as well, and we do well to consider the testimony of their faithfulness unto the declared worthiness of the Spirit as encouragement to do likewise. There is no intent in the statement, nor any other Scripture, to convey to us that they or any other of the dead, are somehow personally observing or participating in what the New Testament saints are doing. 

VERSE 1b…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, (their threatening besetting sin in that day was drawing back to Moses in unbelief of Christ’s Return) and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” It is the reward for a well–run race after being “saved” that is set before us, to be realized at the Return of Jesus Christ to judge the participants. 1st Corinthians 9:24 says,“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Besetting sins and worldly weights were of great hindrance to carry while trying to run the race unto the Kingdom the Lord that had been set before them, and now the race set before us. Lot being a noticeable example; he having not been listed among those faithful who were well pleasing to God. Lot, having chosen the earthly, stumbled over the entanglements of the world and is seen as being disqualified. Worldly entanglements will impede us from the Kingdom of heavens as they did Judas, Demas, Ananias and Sapphira. (2nd Timothy 4:10, Acts 5) So clearly says the Words of Christ in His first instructive parable on the subject of the inheritance of the mysterious Kingdom of heavens. (See Matthew 13:11 in context of Matthew 13:18-23 and explained in Mark 4:13-20… “And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; — such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” 

A Christian who is seeking the wealth and esteem of this world is not running the race for the Kingdom. Gain is not godliness. (See Matthew 19 about the rich young ruler and Luke 6:20-26… “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” See also 1st Timothy 6:6-11… “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”) 

How dreadfully sad that modern–day Christianity has sank into the cesspool of satan’s deceit and gushes forth with his misrepresentations against the Word of God. The Word fearfully declares that the contrary and unfruitful Christian has no place in the inheritance of the Kingdom of Christ and face harsh judgment; but there is sure reward in the Kingdom to those who follow these Old Testament faithful of Christ in the running of the race, working on stripping themselves of this world’s superfluous entanglements, in being a faithful and fruitful servant of Jesus Christ while here on the earth. 

2 Timothy 2:1-5 speaks a loud warning but mostly falls on deaf ears today of erring  Christians being ensnared by the devil’s subtle worldly devices; being weighted down and drawn away and being finally disqualified from the race set before us: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, (but according to man’s religious ideas of the course and race) yet is he not crowned, (to rule with Christ) except he strive lawfully.” (spirit/Spirit–led faithfulness to the Word of God)  

VERSE 2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… Jesus being the author not only of our faith but of the principle of faith itself; as He ventured into unseen and unknown territory based upon the plan and promise of the Father “And again, I (Jesus) will put my trust in him (the Father), And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” (Hebrews 2:13) Jesus is the perfect example of a life of faith. Great was His expression of faith in God, reflected in His purposeful sufferings, tests and trials and with the greatest possible opposition; being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be directly tempted firsthand by satan. His race and course exceeded all others. Jesus authored this system of faith and at His Second Coming shall finish it. This Age of mercy and grace, in the calling out of a people for His name, will close, after which there will no longer be the living by the faith, but then by sight, and there shall no longer be the rites of the faith (the corporate Christian faith in that the partaking of the Lord’s Supper or water baptism are not extended into the millennium). Thereby He also is the author of our faith, meaning He is the spiritual catalyst for the re-birth of our spirit unto eternal life… (“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God… for we are his workmanship created in Jesus Christ…”) …in the reception of the divine nature and thereby forever becoming a child justified by Christ’s faithful life and offering. (Ephesians 2:8-10)  

For Jesus then to be the finisher of our faith, this would require there to be a further work; meaning that we all having been justified by the faith and righteousness of Jesus Christ are now the Father’s “children” and we all are now in spiritual training by the Father. No one is born-again with developed character; that’s why we need a finisher. We are in training in order that we might become acceptable unto Him to be His adopted/designated first-born sons (an honor not reliant upon any numerical birth or re-birth; but upon developed character alone). Continuing with verse 2 of Hebrews 12…“…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame… Jesus Himself would not of been the author or finisher of the faith (corporate) or our faith (individual)….unless He had Himself followed faith’s path of humility in love for God’s fallen creature; in personal sacrifice. For this is the Law of the Kingdom of God to which God Himself is (must be?) observant; for though He is Lord of Heaven and earth, yet out of His loving fullness He is forever serving His creatures. (And note in what an unimaginable and very special way will He serve those whose faith reach its appointed end. Luke 12:37)  

He (“Who being in the form of God…equal with God; made himself of no reputation…he humbled himself…” See Philippians 2:4-11) came down from His throne, down from Heaven to Earth, down from enduring the Cross despising the shame, down to the dead of Hades. Yet in it all, having enduring faith encouraged by God’s promise of a future exceeding joy (“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied…”) was raised up in overcoming victory ….and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Read Isaiah 53, see also Ephesians 1:18-23) 

VERSE 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” His work of finishing our faith, is for us to finish the course. That has to do with obtaining experientially what we have had set before us, that is to say; what we have positionally, having been raised up and seated with Jesus Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) That joy which has been promised by God if we, like Jesus, and by the help of Jesus, successfully finish the race as faithful servants. (Ephesians 4:1-3… “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The theme of conforming being throughout chapters Ephesians 5&6. The Truth is glossed over in modern-day Christian teaching which says that ‘Christ did it all’ so we have already attained unto sitting with Christ in heavenly places experientially. They misappropriate for the justified that which is promised to the sanctified. If we, like Him, are to be raised up in honor experientially we must now, like Him, come “down” to earth, take up the cross and crucify our carnal will according to the word of God in continuing faith. Not our selfish will, but His selfless will be done. It is not time for a Christian to reign from heaven but time for him to “come down” to capacitate to serve that he might experientially be raised up into the heavens to rule at His appearing. It is not time to “live” but a time to “die” to self. (See Matthew 20:20-23… “Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”) This cup of sufferings, and baptism of His spirit is the finishing of our faith…as the Cross and Hades was Christ’s.  

This further work of finishing the race and not fainting in weariness is to be found in considering the grave price Jesus paid that completely answers to our privilege of appeal for help in that “… the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”(Romans 8:1-5) That law of the spirit is exercised at Heaven’s throne of grace, where we may receive grace and mercy outside the law of sin and death, through the ministry of the High Priest. It is by His intercession and impartation of strength that we finish the race and course in loving obedience to the Father’s will. Note that if the hope of joy, for which Christ looked to, helped in His strength and resolve unto the obtaining of the prize, how foolish and unwise for those who set at naught the vital hope of reward of the inheritance of the first-bon son-ship, the first resurrection, and a regal part in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ at His Return through enduring faithful obedience to God’s Word. (And in the setting aside of the reward for faith–filled works, they set aside the vital warnings of loss and severe punishment for the rejection of His Son’s great offering.) All our afflictions will then answer to our glory as all Jesus Christ’s afflictions answered to His Glory. See Luke 6:22 and also 1st Peter 2:19-23. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously…”  

VERSE 4 “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Our life blood itself is subject to the course and race according to the will of God. The Hebrew Christians in general had not resisted the Jews so strongly nor had God so allowed the Jews to press so hard as to cause them to be tested by being martyred.  

VERSE 5 & 6 “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh (it is by His written Word that God speaks and exhorts His children) unto you as unto children, My sons, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he *chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he (the Father) receiveth. Purposefully here the Holy Spirit references Solomon, who throughout the Book of Proverbs is instructing his son in the character worthy to rule; (Proverbs 3:11–12, 22:15) as a Scriptural reminder to these Hebrew Christians that their current suffering circumstances of afflictions, are orchestrated by God, and as bad as they are, could be more exacting. They are the Heavenly Father’s current mode of education that He might equip them through their faith under affliction’s fire, for the heavenly calling of regal sons; and to abide with Him in the King’s Palace and rule.  

Sufferings for righteousness sake are not only instructive but essential for sanctifying and capacitating. It is written in Hebrews 2:10-11… “For it became him (the wisdom of the Father)….in bringing many sons unto glory (unto glory is in contrast unto what the Mosaic Covenant of Law could bring them into; that of only the earthly blessing. Jesus changed the spiritual dynamic, now to give up the earthly things through faith and receive the afflictions and scourgings as the Father’s plying to shape and direct His sons into the path to heaven’s glory; see Romans 5:2, Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:27) …to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Hebrews 5:8-10a says, “…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation (salvation of the soul) to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest”. And again….“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1st Peter 2:21) Solomon understood that God was the director of afflictions that His children faced. Moses also had before Solomon revealed God’s testimony of the why of the Wilderness sufferings: And thou shalt remember — all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know — what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only (material appetites), but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:2–3)  

Today’s Christian attitude in general is one sunk deep in a cave of religious blindness; in that God is said to be a loving Father who would not cause suffering affliction to come upon His children and that all suffering is a result of the enemy, outside the will of God. They say that Jesus suffered so that we might not suffer and that Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law that we might have the blessings of Abraham. Or on the other hand today’s Christian is reduced to almost despair because of afflictions, thinking God surely must be set against them, mostly unaware of this Scriptural truth that God administers discipline to every son He receiveth. All born–again Christians fall short of sonship and are in need of the Father’s further instruction… all being misrepresentations; half-lies of the Truth, twisted to give the Christian a false sense of security, or a false sense of despair. In both cases, the Christian is unable to recognize the chastening purposes of the Lord. The truth is that all children of the Father fall short of the first–born sonship calling, and are in need of instruction in righteousness (2nd Timothy 3:16) from above to be raised up to dwell with Him above. (The right of being a first-born son is a result of character development.) Esau fell short as did Jacob at first but he learned from and yielded to afflictions that brought him into the inheritance. Listening and heeding removes the necessity of the rod of discipline. 

“What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” ([1st Corinthians 4:21) with “For if we judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with (along side) the world.” (1st Corinthian 11:31–32) This 12th Chapter of Hebrews speaks to God’s chastisement of us, which includes “whipping” us, as it were, for specific transgressions. But also the entire range of trials and tribulations, which He providentially ordains, works to help us seek a spirit of wisdom and understanding in the knowledge of God, which helps us mortify sin in all its nuances and refine our continuing faith unto that certain royal inheritance. 

*Greek word for chastisement is paideia has the for its root word pais meaning a child, chastisement signifies all necessary steps that a parent must take to educate, correct, train the son he loves and to fit him for the best future post and privileges of life.