Cloud Gazing

We saw dinosaurs, mountains, faces and many fanciful designs my grandchildren and I. Where were they found? In the fleeting clouds. What a wonderful time we had as we played together. 

Afterwards, I began a trip to the clouds of Scripture courtesy of my concordance. The first mention of clouds in the Gospels is on a mountain according to Matthew 17:1-5. This followed Jesus’ words about the cross in the region of Caesarea Philippi. Rather appropriate as I think about it, first the cross then the glory. Matthew’s gospel says, ‘…a voice from the cloud said, “this is my beloved Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” Did Peter, James and John’s minds recall their nation’s history when God spoke to Israel out of the cloud at Mount Sinai?

Later the disciples were in for a shock as the Lord spoke about other clouds. This was in the context of future events affecting Israel and the Gentile nations. (Matthew 24). ‘Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.’ (Matthew 24:29, 30) What a great incentive to be a cloud watcher!

Jesus was accused of blasphemy in the trial leading to His crucifixion. Why" Because, the High Priest of the Jewish religion understood Jesus linked Himself to Daniel 7:13. ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.’ This was a claim to be both God and Messiah.

If Jesus' body had remained in the tomb, the judgement of the High Priest and Sanhedrin would have been correct. The message of the angels is our victory chant at Easter time, “He is not here; He has risen!” 

Forty days later, what an emotional moment it must have been on the Mount of Olives.  Jesus was about to return to Heaven. How would they have felt as Jesus was taken up in a cloud (Acts 1:9)?  I’m sure they never lost the significance of the angel’s words when he said “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). This is the promise also found in Revelation 1:7.

Fortunately, the Lord gave instructions that motivate His followers to make people aware of His mission and message. The heart must be occupied by Christ Jesus and the clouds, but the mind needs to be focused on service. This is our calling, the former is our hope and longing. Each disciple has their own God given or birth derived gift to exercise and refine for the Lord’s honour. The purpose of having our gifts and abilities is to express in meaningful ways the wonder of God’s transforming and enabling grace. This purpose remains for the Church until it is caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is called 'the Rapture'. 

Then, we will see Him face to face. What a thrill, a joy awaits and what a motivation to be faithful.  

©Ray Hawkins

Consider the Clouds - #5 Babylon's Folly.

Babylon’s Folly

The Bible is a book about two cities. The spirit of either one is incompatible with the other and there is constant war between them. The first mentioned is Babylon, founded by Nimrod. (Genesis 10:8-11) He led the movement which has dominated the spiritual world with its darkness, the occult. (Genesis 11:1-9) Babylon is both a literal place and a spiritual force.

The other city is Jerusalem. (Genesis 14:17-24) Here we find King Melchizedek. He went out to Abram with bread and wine (a picture of Communion) and blessed Abram in the Name of God Most High, maker of heaven and earth. Jerusalem is also a literal place and a spiritual reality.

What has that to do with clouds? In Isaiah 14:12-23 the spirit of Babylon is described in graphic detail. Behind the king of Babylon is the one known as Lucifer. What was the great arrogance of Babylon? ‘You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the throne of God…I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High”.’

Remember the clouds are expressive of God’s environment. In the passage quoted you can see that the spirit of Babylon wanted to be greater than the Creator God. Babylon is a usurper, corrupter and destroyer of the things of the Almighty and Everlasting Holy God.

The sad thing is we are all born into the realm of Babylon. There is also the human weakness which imagines 'I am a god.' The sin which caused Adam and Eve's downfall is still strong. Consider the rulers of North Korea who erect statues of themselves and  desire worship. (Yet they are content to trample on the lives of their people). The reality is the human heart is enslaved by the principles of Babylon.

Unless the Lord God had established Jerusalem we would share Babylon’s fate. However God has invited people to enter its gates with thanksgiving. How?  Because Christ Jesus has conquered the power of Babylon in His death on the cross and His resurrection! We make the decision to leave the realm of Babylon to enter the realm of Jerusalem when we hear the message about Jesus Christ. To cast arrogance aside and seek the Lord God's mercy is the key to escaping the city doomed to judgement.

Read Revelation 18-19 to see the ultimate doom of this city whose arrogance wanted it to rise above the clouds. It will be brought down into the dust. That is why the call of God goes out loud and strong, ‘Come out of Babylon and don’t share in her plagues or destruction.’

Next. The clouds  which took Jesus home.

Ray (in the realm of Jerusalem) Hawkins.

Consider the Clouds #3. Clouds and the Crucifixion.

Cloud #3.              

The Cloud and the Crucifixion

When Jesus quoted the prophet Daniel about clouds Jesus sealed His fate. The man of Nazareth not only agreed with Daniel’s vision, He applied it to Himself. Daniel 7:13-14: ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power, all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.’

The Jewish Sanhedrin knew this was a Messianic prophesy. They charged Jesus with blasphemy which was a death sentence. Jesus was under oath. He revealed Himself as the promised One. Linking Himself with the clouds and His claim to be the Son of God was too much for the authorities. He had to die. The occupying power, Rome had to be brought alongside as it had the sole authority for implementing the death sentence. So Pilate comes onto the scene. Against his will Pilate bows to their pressure and Jesus is crucified.

There are many aspects to Christ’s crucifixion including this statement under oath. If He was deluded, lying or telling the truth the tomb would hold the answer. If Jesus remained in the tomb (and would be there still) he was a false teacher, a liar. Therefore the testimony of His resurrection would verify His testimony given under oath (plus many, many other matters concerning the cross). The Easter message still echoes “Why seek ye the living among the dead. He (Jesus) is not here. He is risen!”

The authorities and enemies of Jesus had from A.D. 33-70 to prove it untrue. This would have been simple – show would be followers the tomb sealed and unopened. They couldn’t. After AD 70 Jerusalem was demolished by the Romans. Now the message continues to rest upon the recorded facts. The authority for believing the resurrection is solid. Check it out.

Jesus ascended to and now reigns in glory. I wonder if He is preparing the clouds for His return?

Ray (humbled by the cross) Hawkins

Next week – When the clouds took Jesus home

Watch The Clouds #1.

Watch the Clouds –part 1.

I enjoy watching the clouds as they float or whiz across the skies. They can never be the same, always changing, always appealing. Within the bible clouds tell some important truths.

They surround the very presence of God. In Exodus 19 is the account of the Lord calling the Nation of Israel before Mt. Sinai. It is an awesome sight with lightning, thunder and thick cloud. Was this to create a sense of awe in the Nation? Was it also a way of protecting the Nation from the holiness of God?  To be in His presence unprotected from His holiness would be to self-destruct.

How then can there be any hope for anyone to enjoy the Lord’s company? Only by the Lord God dressing us in His righteousness. This can only be possible by dealing with our sinfulness. In turn we are powerless to achieve any of this. For it to happen the Lord God who dwells among the clouds must come and deal with our sin, inabilities and inadequate ‘clothing’ for His company.

Here is the reason for Christmas. Here is the achievement of Calvary. Here is the message of the Gospel. God has come out of the clouds in Christ Jesus.  He has dealt with our sin, He has dealt with our spiritual inabilities. He has provided garments of righteousness. Now we have the promise, His promise, that one day we will penetrate the clouds surrounding Him. On that day those cleansed and appropriately dressed will see Him face to face.

In Exodus 24:9-18 is an account of a select group with Moses being near God on Mt. Sinai. The cloud of His presence covered them but they saw Him through it. The people at the mountain’s base only saw a devouring fire. Those in the cloud enjoyed the Lord’s fellowship as well as each others. In Revelation 21-22 we see the time when the cloud is lifted. Then we will dwell in His presence unhindered.

Next week. Watch out for the Cloud – part 2.