Referring to the expression "a great cloud of witnesses" in Heb. 12:1, Ray Stedman writes, "They are witnesses in the sense of bearing testimony that the race can be run successfully and that the rewards are great" (Hebrews, p. 135).
I took this video at the Boulder Bolder 10K race at the Folsom Stadium at the University of Colorado.
See the 50,000 people in the stands? If you thought we were "spectators," you'd be wrong. Each of us cheering on Connor Mantz as he won the race that year was a participant in the race itself -- hence a "witness," not merely a "spectator." And let me tell you. Being in the stands that day drove that point home to me as never before. Reminds me of that great old hymn of the faith:
"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory."
The Lord is saving his best for last. He's got a surprise up his sleeve that will boggle the mind. It's a homecoming party reserved for those who, like the heroes of Hebrews 11, quit stewing over the past and kick up their heels in the sunshine of God's love.