CLOUD(S)

Easton's Bible Dictionary


Cloud: The Hebrew so rendered means "a covering," because clouds cover the sky. The word
is used as a symbol of the Divine presence, as indicating the splendour of that glory which it
conceals (Ex. 16:10; 33:9; Num. 11:25; 12:5; Job 22:14; Ps. 18:11). A "cloud without rain" is
a proverbial saying, denoting a man who does not keep his promise (Prov. 16:15; Isa. 18:4;
25:5; Jude 1:12). A cloud is the figure of that which is transitory (Job 30:15; Hos. 6:4). A bright
cloud is the symbolical seat of the Divine presence (Ex.29:42, 43; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Chr. 5:14;
Ezek. 43:4), and was called the Shechinah (q.v.). Jehovah came down upon Sinai in a cloud
(Ex. 19:9); and the cloud filled the court around the tabernacle in the wilderness so that Moses
could not enter it (Ex. 40:34, 35). At the dedication of the temple also the cloud "filled the
house of the Lord" (1 Kings 8:10). Thus in like manner when Christ comes the second time he
is described as coming "in the clouds" (Matt. 17:5; 24:30; Acts 1:9, 11). False teachers are
likened unto clouds carried about with a tempest (2 Pet. 2:17). The infirmities of old age, which
come one after another, are compared by Solomon to "clouds returning after the rain" (Eccl.
12:2). The blotting out of sins is like the sudden disappearance of threatening clouds from the
sky (Isa. 44:22).

Cloud, the pillar of, was the glory-cloud which indicated God's presence leading the ransomed
people through the wilderness (Ex. 13:22; 33:9, 10). This pillar preceded the people as they
marched, resting on the ark (Ex. 13:21; 40:36). By night it became a pillar of fire (Num.
9:17-23).


The Prophetic Use of Clouds in the Scriptures

Since the sin of Adam and Eve, for the most part, God has chosen to conceal himself from the view of His creation.  The Bible often uses the prophetic word "cloud" when referring to our "invisible" God. 

The following Scriptures are key verses dealing with the prophetic cloud covering of the Scriptures.

Exodus 24:16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai [Mount Sinai stands for the law written in the hearts of men which will hold sway for all time.], and the cloud covered it six days [One day with the Lord is as a thousand years and according to the Bible time line, there has already been about 6,000 years or 6 prophetic days since Adam & Eve fell and time began.]: and the seventh day [If Christ returns soon, then He will set His kingdom up to rule for the seventh day or the next thousand years of our planet--this would fulfill Luke 6:5 where He is called the Lord of the Sabbath.] he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.  [Moses represents the law of Israel and when Christ returns it will be with the shout of the Archangel to take the Church of Grace up to be with Him and to leave the remnant of Israel on the earth under the law of Moses.]

Num. 9:15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up [at the beginning of the Age of the Law] the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even [i.e., the first of Israel's prophetic night watches--the day of Christ's Visitation which resulted in Israel's dispersion because of its rejection of its Messiah] there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire [judgement], until the morning.  [The "morining" is Israel's last prophetic watch at the End of the Kingdom Age. For a study of Israel's prophetic night watches, go to CLOCK OF THE AGES, booklet 7, chapter 28.]

The following verse is addressing the plight of Israel during her dispersion among the Gentiles.

Ez. 32:7 And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.

When the Bible speaks of a bright cloud, it is addressing the time of our Lord's Visitation and the installation of His Church.

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Zec 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

Job 37:21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.


The next two uses of the "clouds of prophecy" refer to the two events of our Lord's return.  

THE FIRST EVENT OF OUR LORD'S RETURN

This event will be His coming in the clouds during the stormy time at the end of our age to take up His Church.  This will begin the 1st 1/2 of Daniel's 70th Week.

Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

THE SECOND EVENT OF OUR LORD'S RETURN

This event will be our Lord's return at the end of the 1st 1/2 of Daniel's 70th Week when He will defeat Satan and his followers in a great battle and then set up His kingdom for the Kingdom Age. 

Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud*, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

*This white cloud is full of significance.   Everything that has to do with the resurrected Christ is spoken of as being white or pure: His white horse, His white robe, His white throne, etc., and this "white cloud" follows suit.  This cloud is associated with the beginning of His perfect rule on the earth.  But it is also significant for backslidden Israel that has been under dark, stormy clouds for the duration of  her dispersion--throughout the 1,000 years of peace,  Israel will be under a "white cloud"; nevertheless, she will still be under a cloud.  (Remember, those who live through the Kingdom Age in their mortal bodies will not have entered into the "know as we are known" state of the glorified Church [I Cor. 13:12].  Though they obviously will know more about heavenly things than we now do, the Glory of Heaven living in their midst; yet, there will still be a "white cloud" over their understanding.)


The following verse is a type of the  prophetic cloud that will have to do with last 1/2 of  Daniel's 70th Week: i.e., the time of Israel's prophetic "morning watch."


Ex. 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

 

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