Published by The writer of Hebrews put it well:
Heb 12:1
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,
(KJV)
We could get into the fruitless theological discussion, “who wrote the book of Hebrews?” I don’t want to waste the time because I don’t know, and quite frankly, even if you think you know you probably don’t and it doesn’t matter. If we look at the way the book deals with Christ it was probably Paul, James or Apollos, or someone else who had learned from them. Certainly it was someone who knew the old covenant and also had a solid grasp of Gods grace and the forgiveness of the cross. Chapter 11 is unique because it details the people of faith that came before Christ.
As we enter the Twenty First Century, a man-made boundary in time, it is well to also look back and see the cloud of witnesses that went before us. The songwriter John Mohr penned the song ‘Find Us Faithful’, “Will those who come behind us find us faithful. Will the fire of our devotion light the way? Will the footsteps that we leave, lead them to believe.” After all, that is part of our charter as Christians, to leave footprints for those behind to follow.
There are those who believe the second coming is upon us, that this is some special time. To them I will only say, “I don’t know how soon it is,” and ask, “Did He intend for us to spend our time speculating about his coming or bringing people to him?” Look at the words of Jesus.
John 21:22-23
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
(KJV)
Since I do not know, I must live my life as if He will come today and yet prepare as though He is not coming for five hundred or maybe five thousand years. If I knew His coming was within the next five years there are things I would not do, they are unnecessary. But if He tarries, I must pass my faith on to the next generation and make them understand it is important to pass both their faith and fervor to the next. Even if we knew his coming is a century from now there is no less urgency to call people to Jesus. Not a single one of us have a guarantee of tomorrow.
I often ask of myself, “If his coming is not near, what will the generations to come think of the twentieth century?” Too many have concentrated on teaching and learning about the second coming rather than spreading the gospel and pointing men to Jesus. Too many have spent time in prophecy conferences learning why this country or that was Gog or Magog. Too much time was spent on arguing mid, post and pre trib doctrines. Much of what these speculators have taught has brought fear in the hearts of believers. The Apostle Paul taught against this:
1Thes 4:16-18
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(KJV)
We should comfort one another by his words. That He is coming should be comfort to us not a cause of fear. The end time should be a time of promise, not a time of dread. I cannot find time to speculate about His coming. Like Nehemiah as he rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, I say, “Let me pursue the work of the Lord.” He could not come down to discuss the work with Sanballat.
Neh 6:3
3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
(KJV)
I have no time for their vain disputes. I will take the course Jesus took when called to task about his doctrine. He said, “It is written.”
Matt 4:4
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(KJV)
Matt 24:36
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
(KJV)
Matt 24:44
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(KJV)
Jesus said we would not know when it would be. Thus if we place any time period or era on the second coming we violate scripture. I believe that even to say, “He’s coming soon,” borders on violating that mandate. But what is important is what have we done for the Kingdom. Were we to write Hebrews 11 of the 1900’s, what would it contain? I do not intend to add to scripture but because of the encouragement Hebrews 11 has been to me over the years, I will to use this as a base.
The heroes of the faith in the last century are many. We sometimes get Elijah syndrome and fail to see those of the faith that are walking before us or with us.
IKing 19:14-18
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
(KJV)
I believe in this time God has many who have not bowed to Baal or kissed him. Let’s put the verse in 1900ese.
“There are tens of thousands alive today who have not been conformed to the world, they have been faithful to the Lord Jehovah.”
We must be very astute here to see these as God does. Let’s get real. Some of them don’t look a bit like us. Some of them don’t act like us. Some of them don’t pray in the same position, they don’t sing the same songs, they don’t speak the same language, and they don’t call themselves the same name, but they are of Him. And I am glad they are different. The penalty for not recognizing the Lord’s body is severe.
1 Cor 11:29-30
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
(KJV)
I would much prefer to recognize the Lord’s body in the earth than be sick and die prematurely, the more literal definition of this passage. Don’t get upset with me you’ll just have to repent for it. After all, I’m just repeating what Paul wrote. We must not get heady and high minded that we have attained it but be humble before one another and before Him.
Rom 11:18-21
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
(KJV)
And although this scripture applies to the Gentiles and Jews it certainly applies to anyone who would look at themselves as being better then others. This can take the form of seemingly innocent attitudes. “We’re on the leading Edge of what God is doing” is one such statement that sounds great but quickly becomes steeped in spiritual pride. Remember, spiritual pride is still pride. It smells as bad as any pride. And we will fight if called to task on this because we are blinded by that very pride.
So who are these witnesses today? Let me assure you that I have no 20-20 vision there are certainly those I will miss. I have presented them in alphabetical order because I believe all were important to the Kingdom of God during the 1900’s. You may notice that some “stars” of the last two decades have been missed. This was not an oversight. Some of the self-proclaimed apostles and prophets of this period have contributed much to their own fame and little to the long-term benefit of the church. Like those who have turned tail and run, they have no place with the heroes of the faith.
Ed Cole – Teaching men to be godly.
Ed Cole has been a positive force through the Christian Men’s network, teaching men to be what God intended. Although Promise Keepers has gotten more exposure and is certainly a great force for good, Ed had this vision for men long before PK. His straight talk to men about sex, money, commitment to God, commitment to family and integrity lead the way when there was nobody else there. He is certainly a pioneer of the faith in our time. (http://www.edcole.org)
Kenneth Copeland – A man who took faith another step.
Kenneth Copeland is one of the faith teachers who was able to teach faith without making it a game of getting things from God and his detractors aside, he has maintained that stance. His emphasis on a firm relationship with God is the basis for keeping the faith and word message pure. While some others missed this and sought to make commerce of the gospel he has steered a higher course. (http://www.kcm.org)
Fanny Crosby – She wrote of the Glory of God.
There were many songwriters of this era but few were able to write the messages from God that Fanny Crosby penned. Among them are “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” “Rescue that Perishing,”
“Blessed Assurance,” “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” “Hold Thou My Hand,” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me,” “More Like Jesus,” and over 9,000 others. It would take twenty church hymnals to print all of her songs. That averages two songs each week of her ninety year life! Although she only lived to see the first quarter of the century her impact was felt throughout it. (http://www.nyise.org/fanny/)
Robert (Bob) Deweese – A man who held up the hands of the man of God.
This man stood next to the man God called to lead and held up his hands. He was the associate of Oral Roberts during the great healing meetings of the fifties. Although he stood in the shadow of Oral, anyone who took the time to see him knew Bob was a capable minister of the gospel, before, after and during his time with Oral. While a part of the OREA he held services in the afternoon in the small tent, usually with crowds of one to two thousand. His messages were dynamic and faith building, a complement to the messages Oral preached. Although they did not get the attention of the larger evening services more than a few healing miracles happened in them. Bob was to some degree instrumental in bringing the Holy Spirit to the forefront during this time. His afternoon services often saw movements of the Holy Spirit. Some of those later involved in the Charismatic renewal came to Christ and met the Holy Spirit under his ministry.
Clifton Erickson – The modern day Apostle John, a man of love.
Clifton was an ex-trucker who preached in a tent that seated about 3000. His meetings in the early 50’s centered on salvation and healing. He taught the love of God like a man who knew it personally. In John 3 Jesus said, “We speak what we do know.” His meetings produced many new Christians that were matured by local churches. He was one of more than a dozen men that held meetings like this but he is the one who stands out as having love and integrity that makes him stand above the others. This man of God has few peers.
Bill and Gloria Gaither – Teachers of worshipping God in song.
Many have written and sung God’s praises and Bill and Gloria are among the best. But Bill and Gloria did much more than write and sing. They helped place the praises of God in the home and on the job. Their success was encouragement to others to launch out and sing for the Lord. Their place as role models cannot be diminished in any way. In addition they also trained, mentored and encouraged many of the next couple of generations of worshippers. Mark Lowrey is one of these. Today they stand tall as a couple who have pointed the way to God. They have, as Paul taught in Timothy, taken what God gave them and passed it to good and faithful men (and women) who could minister and teach others. We are beginning to see the real fruits of their labor in the next generation passing on the word to those who follow them, even as these two champions of the faith continue their ministry. (http://www.gaithermusic.com)
Billy Graham – A signpost pointing the way to Christ.
It is impossible to write the account of this man in a paragraph. He has been the minister to the masses, to kings and to presidents. He has unerringly preached the gospel without hint of scandal or impropriety for more than 50 years. All but his most vicious detractors admit he is a man of God and one of impeccable integrity. His simple message of salvation has led many to Christ. His character and love have enabled him to minister to more than a few of our leaders. (http://www.billygraham.org)
Jerry Fawell – A modern day John the Baptist calling all to repentance.
Jerry has often come under criticism over the years, generally for speaking the truth. He has been criticized for his strong stands for righteousness. Few of his critics have concerns about his sincerity. He has also been a force for passing the faith to the next generation. Although he teaches that Jesus is coming soon, he is preparing those behind him to continue the work.
Ben Haden – Reaching out to God and man, to bring them together.
There is no doubt this ex-newspaperman from Tennessee has a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ and has been used by God to help others develop this relationship. This is apparent in the way he can take a simple message and lead people to God by presenting it. His introduction to his message, “Let’s talk about it,” is akin to the scripture, “Come let us reason together.” Over the nearly thirty years he has been ministering he has done it without fear or man and with a prevailing reverence for God. When you listen to him you can almost see him taking God’s hand and the hand of the sinner and introducing them.
Kenneth Hagen – A man of faith.
This Man of God has brought the message of faith to many and set a pattern for others to follow. There have been critics but he has been able to keep the message pure, faith in God moves mountains. His faith school was there when there were few alternatives. He has preached, taught and trained. He has passed on God’s message to the next generation.
The Hoppers
There are many gospel groups that travel the country and the Hoppers (at one time the Hopper Brothers and Connie) are among the best. Their music is great but above that there is personal integrity and a love for God that comes through.
Rev. Jessie Jackson – Leading men to god.
Years ago I was privileged to hear parts of sermons from God’s word by this man. Although he has become political, I long to hear this man of God preach God’s word in its exactness and fervor that few can approach. If I were able to sit down with him I would ask Him, “When will you return to your first love?” I often wonder, is his current work God’s call?
Rev. Martin Luther King – A man who dared to dare.
Some say he had a dream. It was leading people of all races out of bondage as Moses lead his people out of Egypt. His messages were both temporal and eternal. It is more than regrettable that the church in general did not rally behind him and lead us out of the bondage to hate as well. His message was to both whites and blacks. It was a message of freedom, a dream of a better way to live for all. He may have had a dream, I doubt that, more likely it was a vision from heaven.
James Kennedy – A man with a backbone of steel.
There was a time I would have called James Kennedy a wimp and would not have considered including him in this list. But when I got to know the man, that changed. He has taken on one fight for righteousness after another and has faced down the devil and his fellow travelers and not flinched. He is willing to present God’s word when it isn’t popular, inside or outside the church. When he was on with Larry King Live he was asked why there was so many hypocrites in the church. He responded without flinching, “Because discipline in the church is as dead as the proverbial do-do bird.” This is but one example of this man’s willingness to speak the truth without fear or favor of man.
Katherine Kuhlman – Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The working of miracles was certainly in effect in the life of this woman. I can find nobody who has seen her minister that questions God’s presence in her life. Beyond that she taught the relationship with God as well as the miracles. Her impact on the church has been profound.
E. W. Kenyon – Telling us about God
Kenyon wrote and preached about the Father-heart of God, who we are in Christ and the authority and privileges of the believer. His writings call the believer up and out of the mire of traditional unbelief and into the deep, rich treasures of our redemption in Christ. His books were simple and easy to understand yet told the deep truths of God. He died in 1948 but his influence was felt till the end of the century. Many of the last half of the twentieth century leaders studied his works.
Mark Lowrey – Dared to be different
If I had to describe Mark the word different is the only one that seems to even approach being adequate. He has sung, preached, talked, joked and prayed people into the kingdom. As a comedian he is as good as any the world has and he glorifies Christ and edifies the body with his humor. His song, “Mary did you know,” shows the side of this man that knows Jesus in a real way. He is a capable witness for the cross.
Peter Marshall – A chaplain to our leaders.
Peter was the chaplain to the Senate of the United States in the late 30’s and early 40’s. He certainly impacted our government for the better by his impact on our leaders. I firmly believe there was no man like him before in this role. Although others have filled this office since his death none has had as much impact. He was God’s man in God’s time.
Amiee Sempler McPherson – Showing the power of God.
Amiee contributed to building the body of Christ by teaching his word and administering His healing gifts. God was certainly with her. She founded Angelus Temple in Los Angeles in 1923. It became widely known for her illustrated and dramatized Sunday night sermons. People she brought into the Kingdom are even today spreading the gospel, fifty years after her death. (http://www.swiftsite.com/fcgm/McPherson.html)
K. Fred Price – A man who taught people to be free.
Rev. Price is God’s man, in God’s place at God’s time. His message has always been the Word of God. One of his early books, “Hung by the Tongue” has brought deliverance to many. Although he is Afro-American he has a church that is multi-racial because his message is God’s message, not a black or white message. He has more recently confronted some of the cults that would pull people of all races away from the truth. Like some others mentioned here, he speaks the word without fear of man.
Oral Roberts – He showed us miracles of the Bible were for today.
Oral was a back woods boy from Oklahoma who God healed of tuberculosis. He held meetings with as many are 16,000 in attendance and became a national celebrity. He was preaching the gospel and seeing miracles when someone tried to kill him by shooting at him while he was in the pulpit. His ministry brought literally millions to Jesus and thousands were healed of dreaded diseases. He brought Christ and his healing power to many people.
Rob Schenk – God’s new man in Washington.
Rob has placed himself in the nation’s capitol and is seeking to change lives, help those who have need of spiritual counsel and move the government toward a more Godly stance. Rob is a Jew who has come to know Jesus. He is outspoken and has the ability to lobby effectively for the heavenly kingdom.
George Beverly Shea – A man who sang the goodness of God.
There were more than a few men who sang the goodness of God during the 1900’s but none reached the level of impact of Bev Shea. He was able to take a song and make it into a sermon by just singing it. He was the perfect complement to Billy Graham’s preaching. He was God’s right man at God’s right time.
Bishop Fulton Sheen – A man who knew God
Fulton Sheen was a preacher and writer who was able to present God to people to help them know Him. He was not afraid to speak out against things that were wrong. His radio programs were a lift to many who for “denominational” reasons would not have found many of the other men who used this media acceptable.
Demos Shekanian – A man who knew the Spirit of God.
He was instrumental in the FGCBMI and in helping the spread of the interest in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Charismatic Movement may not have occurred with out him and certainly it would not have had the fervor and scope.
Robert Schuler – A man who dared to ask us to believe for the impossible.
This man has withstood the criticism of many and still stands, confident that God is real and good. His message of trust and faith has lifted many.
Jimmy Swaggert – The Ezekiel of the 70’s.
Jimmy has been an evangelist for over 30 years, seeking to bring men to a saving knowledge of Christ. He is flamboyant, outspoken, and firm. He has personally developed a following that with him wields a powerful punch.
These have kept the faith when others backed up. And let me assure you, there are others. I could name many, Theodore Gaylor, Doug Slay, Benjamin Kuntz, Foster Group, George Mouer, Ralph Kleindist and Paul Mummert to mention a few. There those who have produced music for the church that challenges anything written in previous centuries. Among these are David Engels, David Baroni, Kent Henry, Ira Stamphill, Ira Sankey, Vep Ellis, Gary Mummert and at least a hundred others that God used to bless His people in song. They saw or see a better city. They saw God’s provision and held or hold a steady course toward it. Some of these have gone on to their reward, others still maintain the standard of the faith. I thank God for each of them for the gifts He has given us. Like them, may we be found faithful.
