The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #4634

My highlighted verses: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,

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,

Hebrews 10:36-39
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

patience = hupomone, hoop-om-on-ay', Greek 5281; from Greek 5278 (hupomeno); cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy :- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

endurance = hupomeno, hoop-om-en'-o, Greek 5278; from Greek 5259 (hupo) and Greek 3306 (meno); to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figurative to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere :- abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

Here are Christ's words to those of this final generation of the fig tree:

Matthew 24:13
Buthe that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 21:19
In your patience possess ye your souls.

Mark 13:13
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: buthe that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Hebrews 11:36
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment

Then too, some of you Smyrphs, those of the churches of Smyrna (Rev. 2:9) and Philadelphia (Rev. :9) who know who the kenites are, :should also compare Rev. 2:10.

The question is: "Are you in the "race" (Heb. 12:1) to go the distance and go for the 'gold',
the gold crown that is?"

If so, just know that it is going to take "faith and endurance" to the end
but the reward of recompense far exceeds anything material in this world!

Therefore, knowing that He is faithful and shall never leave nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5)
but rather shall be with you unto the end (Mat. 28:20), there is NOTHING and NO ONE to fear.

Besides, you've read all the testimonies of the patriarchs and elders to confirm that fact, have you not?

The sands of time run out of the final "hour" glass for this flesh age
during the generation of the fig tree which began on May 15, 1948.

Rev. 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

So pay no attention to those Biblically challenged preachers who tell you
that you are not going to have to go through (endure) the great tribulation of antichrist
when he comes to this earth claiming to be Jesus.

Trust the Word of God which tells you that you shall "overcome the beast" (Rev. 12:11)
if you have faith but that you are going to have to "patiently endure" unto the end!

Then "take heed", and prepare yourself by putting on the gospel armor
and get ready to take a stand! (Ephes. 6:11"Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Let's continue with the last few verses of Heb. 10.

Hebrews 10:37
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

The sands of time run out of the final "hour" glass for this flesh age
during the generation of the fig tree which began on May 15, 1948.
[See Fig Tree]

[38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Remember that to "live" is to receive eternal life.

Those who "draw back" (from the truth of God's Word), who therefore do not trust and believe in God,
i.e. those who do not have faith in Him because they have no foundation upon which to stand
(i.e. are Biblically illiterate), better take heed lest they join Satan's group headed for perdition,
which is the lake of fire wherein the second death, the death of the soul, takes place (Rev. 21:8).

God's elect simply do not "draw back" from His Word because they have faith!

They face the adversary head on because they are defenders of God's truth and declare His righteousness!

[39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The first one who "drew back" from the Word of God is now called the "son of perdition".

That first "drawing back" happened in the first earth age
and I think you know who he is,
so make sure you don't follow his ways of liberalism by "drawing back" in this earth age.

The big problem was however, just as it is today, that not only did he himself "draw back" from the Word of God
but he then "drew" a third of God's children away from the mercy seat of truth and justice (Rev. 12:4).

Again, there is nothing new under the sun and today in this generation, just as he did in the "world that then was",
Satan uses economics and merchandising and influence peddling to corrupt justice
and pervert wisdom and education while at the same time promising and convincing many
of God's Biblically illiterate children that life will be just grand in his Great Society, his New World Order!

So don't be one who "draws back" unto perdition, unto Satan and his ways.

Be a man or woman of God and put on the gospel armor and be ready to take a stand!

Have faith and exercise patient endurance and stick around unto the end.

You see, there is some major dragon kicking and stomping that has yet to be done
and God's elect are privileged to be a part of bringing Babylon the great
to its knees before the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Now let's go back and repeat Heb. 12:1.

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,

In other words, if you are one of God's elect, one who does not draw back,
you have a purpose and a destiny to fulfill in the Plan of God,
so it is time to "lighten the boat" and to "get out of self (use His blood)"
and be about your Father's business!

You "see", there is a "race" (contest, conflict, fight) set before us,
a "course to run" and we need to get in shape... starting NOW!

Let's break some of the words in this verse back to the Greek fountain.

Note: Some may think we are getting a little too scholarly here with all these Greek references, but then such (i.e. scholarly) is the nature of the Book of Hebrews, is it not? Remember, it was written to those who can handle the "meat" of His Word instead of just the "milk" of salvation and baptism (Heb. 5:11-14)! Therefore, the deeper truth contained herein it is written specifically to the spiritually "rich" which would bring the mind of the wise to note Rev. 2:9 again!

Run = trecho, trekh'-o, Greek 5143; apparently a primary verb (properly threcho; compare Greek 2359 (thrix)); which uses dremo, drem'-o (the base of Greek 1408 (dromos)) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literal or figurative) :- have course, run.

The word "dromos" is translated "course".

Course = dromos, drom'-os, Greek 1408; from the alternate of Greek 5143 (trecho); a race, i.e. (figurative) career :- course.

The word "race" means more than just a friendly footrace to the finish line:

Race = agon, ag-one', Greek 73; from Greek 71 (ago); properly a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figurative an effort or anxiety :- conflict, contention, fight, race.

It is from "agon" (translated "race" above) that we get the word "fight" and "fought" which Paul uses in 2 Tim. 4:5-8 below.

Fought, fight = agonizomai, ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee, Greek 75; from Greek 73 (agon); to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive (to endeavor to accomplish something) :- fight, labor fervently, strive.

Obviously, we get the word "agonize", meaning to struggle, from the Greek word "agonizomai". Now before we move on in Hebrews let us consider the words of a great contender and fighter and reflect on some of the "enduring" he went through, like being shipwrecked, stoned, scorned, imprisoned, etc., etc. That's right, it is our teacher and elder brother the apostle Paul!

Here is his admonition to those who do not "draw back":

2 Tim. 4:5-8
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

"Full proof" = plerophoreo, play-rof-or-eh'-o, Greek 4135; from Greek 4134 (pleres) and Greek 5409 (phoreo); to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish :- most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.

Paul tells us to be sober-minded in all things, hang in there, and finish the work, which is to fulfill your destiny! So "let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1)"! Paul did!

[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

[7] I have fought a good fight (agonizomai), I have finished my course (dromos), I have kept the faith:

There was no doubt in Paul's mind that a "crown of righteousness" awaits him when the Lord,
the righteous judge, appears at that day when the 7th Trump sounds.

And not him only, but to all them also that love his appearing!

That would be you, if you love and serve Him.

[8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

There was no doubt in Paul's mind that a "crown of righteousness" awaits him when the Lord,
the righteous judge, appears at that day when the 7th Trump sounds.

And not him only, but to all them also that love his appearing!

That would be you, if you love and serve Him.

[8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Well, we have all those inspiring testimonials and "ensamples" which give us strength and increase our faith, but there is yet One to consider who "endured" above them all and that One is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

Hebrews 12:2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The word "look" means to look away from to something else,
i.e. to consider attentively or as we would say today, "focus on"!

The old adage that leadership is best exemplified by example certainly is true when it comes to Jesus Christ,
who is the "captain of our salvation"!

He showed us "the way" and we are "finished", "made perfect", i.e. are complete in Him (Col. 2:10).

"Focus on" what He went through for us in enduring the cross and being scorned and humiliated.

He overcame the world (Jn. 16:33) and overcame Satan (Heb. 2:14)
and is now "set down at the right hand of the throne of God".

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

When tribulation (which ye shall have) comes your way,
be it either adversity or perhaps even chastisement from your heavenly Father,
and all you do is moan and whine about it, you do show a lack of faith, which is unbelief.

So don't let your brothers and sisters, especially those who are weak in faith or have not eyes to see,
"see you sweat on your first cruise"!

It gives them no encouragement or incentive to see your unbelief, does it?

You "see", through faith in Him you can "have peace", i.e. peace of mind,
entering into His rest (sabbath) at any time, any day, any hour, any moment!

And how would you like to sit with Him in His throne?

You can!

He said so!

Just follow His example and through faith firmly founded upon the Rock, i.e. in His Word,
you will be a champion of your people, an overcomer of the world and the wicked one, even as He overcame!

And there shall be a crown of righteousness laid up in store for you too!

Rev. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

And you shall rule and reign with Christ a thousand years.

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

So whenever you think things are going a little too tough on you, just remember Christ our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7) and what He went through!