Clouds

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 2min
Clouds fill an important place in Scripture. They were the celestial veil of the presence of God — His chariot and the hiding place of His power. It pleased God to manifest His presence to Israel in a cloud. The pillar of cloud guided the children of Israel through the wilderness (Ex. 40:34-3834Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (Exodus 40:34‑38)). When they constructed the tabernacle, Jehovah promised to appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat (Lev. 16:22And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:2)). On special occasions, Jehovah came down in a cloud and spoke to Moses (Num. 11:2525And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. (Numbers 11:25)). At the dedication of the temple, “the cloud” filled the house so that the priests could not minister because of the cloud, “for the glory of Jehovah had filled the house of Jehovah” (1 Kings 8:10-11 JnD). This visible symbol of God’s glory is often called the Shekinah. The word does not occur in Scripture, but it is often used as signifying the dwelling or resting place of Jehovah. On the mount of transfiguration, a cloud overshadowed those present, and “a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him” (Luke 9:34-3534While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Luke 9:34‑35)). At the ascension, a cloud received the Lord out of their sight. At the rapture, the dead and the living saints will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. When He comes in judgment, He will come with clouds. The mighty God who dwells in light unapproachable by man manifested His presence shrouded by clouds.
Concise Bible Dictionary