We like to see beautiful clouds. There is a “cloud of glory” mentioned in the Bible, which was different from all other clouds. A cloud was over the people of Israel all the way of their journey across the Red Sea and for forty years in the deserts, but it was called a cloud of “glory,” only when the glory filled the tabernacle, (Exodus 20:20-22; Exodus 40:34-38).
When God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai the cloud of glory abode upon the mountain six days. When the great temple, or house of God, was finished in Jerusalem, the cloud of glory filled it (2 Chronicles 5:13-14).
When three disciples were with Jesus on the mountain and God spoke to them, “a bright cloud overshadowed them” (Matthew 17:5).
There is an event to come, and a cloud and glory, so great it cannot be described. We can only give the Lord Jesus’ words: “And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
Christ’s Appearing in Glory
The Lord’s coming in glory will be unexpected to people, as a snare is sudden to a bird or animal. More is written of how sudden: “As lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:24).
More also is told of the troubles before, for those who believe God, and of the judgments to those who do not believe. But it is important to notice that for this no time is given, only that when Christ comes, He will be seen of all, and there can be no mistake.
Then none can reject the Lord Jesus and after that His promised righteous rule will begin, for He said, “Know ye that the kingdom of God is at hand” (Luke 21:31).
Later these words were told the disciple John to write, “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” (Revelation 1:7).
It was written of the cloud of glory over Mount Sinai; “The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire ... in the sight of the children of Israel” (Exodus 24:16-17).
How much greater the cloud of glory will be when Christ comes and all on earth shall see!
Christ’s Coming for His Own
About the same time Jesus told of that great coming, He told those men who believed and loved Him that He would “come again, and receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3). And it was written to the early Christians that all who believe shall be called into the clouds to meet the Lord, who is their hope, before His coming in power and glory to judge the earth (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This also will be quickly and no time is set.
The Lord is now waiting for all who will trust in Him as their Saviour, and confess His name now.
Further Meditation
1. Will people be expecting the Lord’s return to the earth? How do you know?
2. Why has God shared with us so many details about what will happen during a few short years in the future? What makes that time so important for the earth?
3. The booklet, Keys to Prophecy, gives a concise introduction to coming events showing that what is due to Christ is central to all of prophecy.