Their specific earthly roles in the redemption story are completed.
After all, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Isn't it possible that the testimony of these witnesses is their COMPLETED actions on earth? Hebrews 12:1 is a concluding statement for Hebrews 11 - which details historical examples of faith. If a martyr does nothing else, he or she has already provided a testimony for us through his or her faithfulness unto death.
That is exactly correct, either, CC. We return with Christ at His coming, Re 19: 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Also, we are judges: 1 Co 6: 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
While their completed testimony is certainly a blessing, there is more revealed in the bible about the missions God could have for His saints who have gone on.
a. Moses and Elijah DID appear with Jesus conversing with Him.
b. Jesus did tell the story of an incident in Abraham's life after Abraham's death. (The Rich man and Lazarus)
c. Jesus did say that Abraham was living and not dead. Jesus said that God "is the God of the living and not of the dead."
The angel who guided John around heaven did say to John when John attempted to worship him: "Rev 19:10 - "10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." "
Their specific earthly roles in the redemption story are completed.
That is NOT exactly correct, either, CC. We return with Christ at His coming, Re 19: 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Also, we are judges: 1 Co 6: 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
While their completed testimony is certainly a blessing, there is more revealed in the bible about the missions God could have for His saints who have gone on.
a. Moses and Elijah DID appear with Jesus conversing with Him.
b. Jesus did tell the story of an incident in Abraham's life after Abraham's death. (The Rich man and Lazarus)
c. Jesus did say that Abraham was living and not dead. Jesus said that God "is the God of the living and not of the dead."
The angel who guided John around heaven did say to John when John attempted to worship him: "Rev 19:10 - "10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." "