Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Who are the “spirits of just men made perfect” in verse 23?
Are there multiple Holy Spirits in Heaven that has been made perfect?
Are you aware that Paul often speaks in allegories? Before you can claim these are living disembodied beings you have to prove that that is possible. Just because you understand it that way doesn't make it so, especially when you start from the premise of Platonic Dualism.
Let me ask you. Do you believe that Paul's readers were standing in Heaven in the New Jerusalem? After all he said, 'you have come.' If so, why was he writing to them? If they were already in New Jerusalem, thehy wouldn't need Paul's writings. And how would they read them anyway? How could they be standing in New Jerusalem when it hadn't yet been made new?
12 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, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Heb 12.
Who were the witnesses? They were the "just men made perfect" in 12:23. Who were they? They were those Paul just mentioned in chapter 11.
5 By faith
Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, qthat he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith
Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, wmoved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith
Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with
Isaac and
Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also
Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many sas the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Heb 11:4–12.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and of
Barak, and of
Samson, and of
Jephthae; of
David also, and
tSamuel, and of the
prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy
they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Heb 11:32–40.
These are the great cloud of witnesses. What did Paul say about them?
13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Heb 11:13.
They all died. They were not alive.
