The Cloud Rider

 The Cloud Rider

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. - Mat 24:30

It is very common today for Christians raised in a Premillennial mindset to read those words and assume that this passage is speaking about the physical and bodily return of Christ to earth. I’ve even heard it taught that: “Jesus comes in the clouds, but doesn’t come all the way to earth because His people meet him there during the rapture.” While this is erroneous on many levels, it is correct in one aspect...coming on the clouds does not mean an earthly touchdown. 

It is typical for a hyper-literalist to try and strip away the rich imagery and poetic language that much of scripture, especially prophecy, employs as a way to help us understand the topic. How does scripture itself use clouds in reference to God? As we will see, clouds are often used to describe God's powerful and overwhelming presence, and often, judgment upon wickedness.

Let’s look at the first instance where clouds are used in connection with God.

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. - Exo 13:21

As the Israelites were leaving the land of their enslavement and servitude, God chose to lead them out in the form of a cloud. This cloud was a guide by day, and a pillar of fire was a guide by night. Comparing God to a consuming fire is a common theme found in scripture, and one we should all be familiar with. (Ex 24:17, Deu 4:24, 5:4, 9:3, Heb 12:29, Rev 19:12)

Yet, this cloud would end up being more than a simple sign to point the way in the uninhabited desert. It covered Mount Sinai when Moses climbed up to speak with God (Ex 24:15-16). God spoke to Moses from the cloud so that the people of the congregation would hear (Ex 19:16), and eventually, when the Tabernacle of Worship was built, the presence of God rested there in the form of a cloud (Ex 40:34). This presence could be so intense and overwhelming that Moses couldn’t even enter the Tabernacle (Ex 40:35). This imagery is carried over to the Temple as well; Isaiah in describing the Seraphim who continually declares the Holiness of God, mentions that the presence of God was so thick that the temple was “filled with smoke.” (Isa 6:1-4)

John tells us in Revelation 15:8 that the Temple was so filled with God's power and glory that it “filled the temple with smoke so that no one could enter” just as Moses couldn’t enter the Tabernacle.

 This also echoes from Exodus when Mount Sinai smoked “as the smoke from a kiln” when God gave His perfect law to his children (Ex 19:18). The priests in 1 Kings 8 have the same experience. The ark of the covenant is brought into the newly built temple by Solomon. Suddenly a cloud fills the temple, and so strong is the presence that the priests cannot perform their duties. 

So as we can see, this presence of God is often likened to a cloud, and can be so overwhelming that people are unable to approach it. The Israelites were terrified and requested that God not speak to them directly, but only spoke through Moses (Ex 20:19). The presence of God was so strong that they thought they would die, and God agrees with them! (Deut 18:16-17)

As God’s children are about to enter the promised land, He assures them that He is with them in many ways. Over and over again he says “be not afraid, have good courage.” (Deut 20:1,3, 31:6, 7, 23) 

Finally, Moses is about to ascend Mount Pisgah to die, and he encourages Israel with his final words. Blessings if they follow God’s law, curses if they spurn it. Amongst these final words we find: 

 

There is no one like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the sky to help you, on the clouds in majesty. - Deu 33:26 NET

Here again we see the power of God to protect His people in times of need, but the imagery is clear: God's excellency and majesty comes in the clouds. Does God “ride the heavens” in a literal sense? Or, is this a way of describing God's power and authority?

The Psalmist taps into this same imagery when he declares: 

Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds; his name is the LORD, exult before him! - Psa 68:4 RSV 

Again we see God being exalted and lifted up as He “rides a cloud.” Is the Psalmist being literal here? What kind of cloud does God prefer? A cumulus cloud? Cirrus clouds? Obviously this is poetic and descriptive language to show the power and glory of an omnipotent God. 

 However, this overwhelming presence of God that can be a blessing to those who love Him, is all the more terrifying and panic inducing when brought to bear against unbelievers and haters of God. Egypt was just such a nation, a people who adored Idols and hated God’s people. Isaiah brings a prophecy against them from God:

The burden against Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst. - Isa 19:1

Now the presence of the Lord is turned against mankind in righteous judgment. So terrible is it that their hearts will melt within them from fear, and all the power that Egypt once enjoyed will be lost. 

This sort of description shouldn’t surprise us, because the Psalmist again tells us how God's clouds can bring judgment; 

From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire. - Psa 18:12

The Psalmist is well aware that God brings judgment upon wicked men, and this image of fire combined with clouds should be comfortable to us now. God's presence is thick, and his fire is all-consuming. This passage in Psalms goes on to tell of how God deals with His foes. Spoilers: It doesn’t end well. 

It didn’t end well for the great city of Nineveh either. Jonah had been sent as a harbinger of destruction and the city, through the mercy of God, repented and turned from their wicked ways. God refrained from destroying their wicked culture. However, around 150 years later, the prophet Nahum is given a new message for the Ninevites: 

The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. - Nah 1:1-3

The entire book of Nahum is a prophecy of doom. It clearly and explicitly describes the coming judgment upon this apostate nation, a nation that once repented from their wickedness. Here again, Nahum describes this coming judgment right out of the gate as being one where God’s presence comes in the wind and storm, and where the very clouds are like dust around His feet. God is a big God, and when Holy judgment falls upon a nation, nothing can be done except repent in humility and despair.

Jeremiah also understood this well when he gave a prophecy of judgment against Judah. Great sorrow is poured out, because the nation is doomed. 

Behold, he shall come up like clouds, And his chariots like a whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are plundered! - Jer 4:13

God’s justice is swift and unstoppable. God's justice is stormy and violent. Jeremiah's lament is one of a broken heart, for he knew God's judgment would not be deterred. 

Which now brings us to Matthew 24. Hopefully we can see now a new light in which God works through clouds. This is really a small sampling of scripture, and much more could be brought to bear. However, when we look at the subject of what Jesus is speaking about in Matthew 24, we understand he is speaking in judgment language. For Jesus to say that the “Son of man comes in the clouds with great power and glory” makes total sense. This is how the presence of God is described. And when this presence is brought to bear against a wicked nation (just like apostate Israel was), it speaks of utter destruction and undoing. It should become clear that this is not speaking of a second bodily return of Christ, but instead is the all-powerful Son of God bringing righteous judgment down upon that wicked generation.

Jesus makes it clear that this event would take place for “this generation” (the generation being addressed), and even speaks again of this soon-coming judgment when he is carrying the cross upon His back to Golgotha:  

But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. - Luk 23:28

 

In spite of the pain and agony He was suffering in that moment, Jesus makes sure to warn the people one last time of the impending doom...Doom that would fall upon their generation.

John, in the opening of the Book of Revelation is quick to explain that the events he’s writing about would be happening soon. 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, - Rev 1:1

And, just in case his readers missed it the first time, John says again almost right away:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. - Rev 1:3 

Armed with this knowledge, we can start to see the pattern of judgment when we read this passage: 

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. - Rev 1:7

Even those who had hammered the nails, and those who thrust the spear, would be alive at this coming in great judgment. Some say that this is in reference to the final judgment on the last day, but then the statement “even those who pierced him” wouldn’t make sense. Of course those who pierced him will see Him on the last day, ALL will arise and face judgment, some to everlasting glory, and others to torment in the Lake of Fire. Nevertheless, ALL will see Him then. This must be speaking of people who were still living at the time John was writing this prophecy. (Contrary to contemporary thinking, the date of the authorship of Revelation is likely much earlier than typically held today)

Now when we come to the famous passage in Revelation 14, we should have a greater understanding of what is being discussed. 

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." ... "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. - Rev 14:15,18b-19

Jesus’ prophecy from Matthew 24 is being fulfilled here. Judgment is being poured out, and in a horrifying and absolute manner. The cloud of God's presence is the vehicle for terror and wrath upon the great evil and idolatry of apostate people, who rejected the Son of Glory and murdered Him instead. 

Hopefully this short study will help to explain why the common understanding of “coming on the clouds” is lacking. By taking a bigger view of scripture and relying on the hints and stepping stones provided within God's Word itself, we can see that Matthew 24 is not speaking of the future and still-awaited bodily return of Christ. Instead, we should be given pause, for if God has come in the clouds before upon idolatrous and apostate nations, what might become of our own nation? If we as the people of God do not return to Him in humility and repentance, might we not see another “coming on the clouds?” The presence of God is a glorious thing for those who live righteously and with fear of the Lord, but for those who live lukewarm lives and seek only to pleasure themselves, the presence of God is what melts hearts with terror. May we seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. 

We obviously desire to see the Lord return in glory, as we know He will do in His time. However, we need to be busy with what He commanded us to do, and worship Him in truth and purity. 

A pure church WILL experience the presence of God in a powerful and tangible way. His church will be filled with the cloud of His presence, and if the world does not listen to the message of truth of Christ, we will be protected by the Great and glorious God who comes on the clouds in righteous and holy judgment. 

He covers the face of His throne, And spreads His cloud over it. - Job 26:9

How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion With a cloud in His anger! He cast down from heaven to the earth The beauty of Israel, And did not remember His footstool In the day of His anger. - Lam 2:1