Hebrews 12:1-3 ~ surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses

The walls of Constantinople / Istanbul are of antiquity and modern.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,


and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.


Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.



When we consider Jesus terrified the various Emperors of the Roman Empire beginning 16 years, in a slow news time period, after the Crucifixion of Jesus - we see some Christians were martyred, some fled, some carried the word of God (like the 300 intact Chapters of Papyrus 46 from the time when John the Disciple was still alive) far across Europe and into Asia.

And as Christianity prospered, trade in the declining Roman Empire began to return. Why? The people forming the Church of Jesus Christ didn't just invent hospitals, monasteries feeding the starving, raising orphans, teaching farming - the trust of the people in mankind began to flourish.

How do we see in history mankind began to flourish?

Cities began to leave the City States brought about by the Decline of the Roman Empire. When Constantine created Constantinople, we find Istanbul today has the heavily fortified City State. The Eastern Roman Empire considered itself to be the Roman Empire - just moving to the right. It wasn't until 1453 when it was called the Byzantine Empire by those who had conquered it and didn't want the Roman Empire to have appeared to flourish until 1453. It was a total Name Change Game Change situation.

We don't see old city walls like Istanbul/Constantinople because all over Europe the city wall was proving unnecessary.

St. Paul's Bones are housed in St. Paul's Basilica or the formal title ~ Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

Hebrews 12 is a Game Changer.

Christianity did not flourish just in collars and Churches and Formal Good Works. Christianity flourished in house churches - where the praying Christian could be called on to pray for the Non-Christian and they expected to see God Act. And in the Book of Acts, this dramatically happened. The People of Jesus formed the Church because the people wanted this Joy, Hope, Peace and Love.

The Victory of The Early Church in 325 A.D. was the Light Shining in the Hopes of Jesus' beloved people. This is not a victory for the Cathedrals and Vatican and the history of the Church - alone - this Victory is the Light of Christ Shining in People.

Were there colossal failures and setbacks? Of course, we know this to be true. The Hand of God is still alive, still working. When the Black Plagues ended, the Bible began to be printed in readable languages to people worthy enough to now have salvation from serfdom and the ability to read the Word of God. Like the Exodus, this work of God took time.

So the Cloud of Witnesses isn't just Buildings, it's not only the Clerics, it's not just all the People who sought God's Love, this is also the Hand and Good Will of God bringing you and me and our loved ones a Hope and a Future.

This is truly, as Jesus liked to say, truly we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.

St. Paul's Basilica Outside the Walls

Abba, Holy Father,

Thank You for Your Willing Blessings in my life. Today. Yesterday and Tomorrow. We will be blessing seekers as young children search for Easter Eggs.

You've got the Whole World in Your Hand.

You've got the whole universe in Your Word.

You've got the ones we Love in Your Heart.

You've got the cares we have in Your Will.

You've got the Nation Trusting You, in Your Plan.

You've got all the world in your Hand.

You've got all the Nations seeking Your Brightness.

You've got all the world praying to You.

You're easy to please as we want more of Your Heaven on this earth.

We Thank You for Jesus, His arms open to enfold us.

You've got the Whole World in Your Heart.

God of Love.
God of Encouragement.
God of Jesus Christ saving the world.

Amen Father. Amen Jesus. Amen Holy Spirit.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †