Exodus by Elder Vernon Johnson

Exodus Chapters 40 Verses 34-37

:34 “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And 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. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For 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.”

The clouds in the scriptures are often associated with the glory of God:

1. Ex. 16:10 "And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud."

2. Ex. 24:16 "And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud."

3. Ex. 40:34 "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And 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."

4. 1 Kings 8:10 "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD."

5. Is. 4:5 "And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence."

6. Ezek. 10:4 "Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory."

7. Matt. 24:30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

Thus as the cloud is associated with God's glory, the cloud also is associated with things that glorify God:

1. God's everlasting covenant glorifies God: Gen. 9:13 "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:" Just as the rainbow covenant glorifies God, even so, it points to the everlasting covenant of redemption found in Rom. 8:28-30 which gives all the glory to God for our redemption: "28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

2. The giving of the covenant of the law glorified God: Ex. 24:16 "And the glory of the LORD abode upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud."

3. God's mercy glorifies God: Lev. 16:2 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat."

4. Prayer at God's throne of grace glorifies God: Lev. 16:13 "And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:"

5. The assembly of God's people to worship him glorifies God: Is. 4:5 "And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence."

6. God's everlasting kingdom glorifies God: Dan. 7:13 "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

7. God's justice glorifies God: Zep. 1:15 "That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,"

8. The resurrection of Christ glorifies God: Acts 1:9 "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

9. The resurrection of the dead at the end of time glorifies God: 1 Thes. 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

10: The witness of God's people glorifies God: Heb. 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"

11. God's leadership and direction of his people glorifies God: Ex. 13:21 "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."

12. Christ's death on the cross glorifies God: Zech. 12:10 "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

Ref. 12 above is a parallel verse to Rev. 1:7. The wailing in verse 7 is the same as the mourning in ref. 12. The mourning is the mourning of God's children when they become convicted that their sins are the reason that Jesus suffered and died on the cross. This is a bitter mourning for God's redeemed, but it glorifies God. Their bitterness is turned to joy, however, when they come to understand that Jesus died for them to redeem them from their sins.

Yes Jesus does indeed come with clouds (glory).

There is a pattern in the scriptures of the Lord sanctifying or dedicating those things in which he has ordained for the use that he intended it for. The following is set forth showing this principle:

When the children of Israel completed the building of the tabernacle and it and all the furniture were complete and in place we see the Lord dedicating the tabernacle: Ex. 40:33 “And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And 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.” Notice that the cloud covered the tent and filled the tabernacle. The tabernacle was immersed in and by the cloud. Furthermore, we learn in Numbers chapter 9 that the fire was also upon the tabernacle when it was dedicated: Num. 9:15 “And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.”

Next, we go to the dedication of the temple. The temple was not dedicated until it was completed. 2 Chron. 7:1 “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” Once again, we note that the glory of the LORD by means of the cloud had immersed and filled the temple and fire had come down and consumed the sacrifice.

One thing both the tabernacle and the temple had in common was that they were both called the “house of God.” In this gospel day the church is referred to as the “house of God:” 1 Tim. 3:15 “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Now both the tabernacle and the temple were immersed by the cloud and fire when they were dedicated and they were called the house of God, it stands to reason that the church would also be dedicated and immersed when it was finished. The church did not begin on the day of Pentecost, but the church was first completed beforehand and then dedicated on the day of Pentecost.