Topical Bible: Cloud of Glory: Called: The Presence of God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The "Cloud of Glory," often referred to as the Shekinah, represents the manifest presence of God among His people. This phenomenon is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing divine guidance, protection, and the holiness of God.

Old Testament References

The Cloud of Glory first appears in the book of Exodus during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, the Lord manifested His presence in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This cloud served as both a guide and a protective covering for the people. Exodus 13:21-22 states, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people."

The Cloud of Glory also descended upon Mount Sinai when God gave the Law to Moses. Exodus 24:16 describes this event: "And the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud." This cloud signified God's holy presence and the seriousness of the covenant being established.

In the Tabernacle, the Cloud of Glory filled the Holy of Holies, indicating God's dwelling among His people. Exodus 40:34-35 records, "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."

New Testament References

The New Testament continues the theme of the Cloud of Glory, particularly in the context of the Transfiguration of Jesus. In Matthew 17:5 , during the Transfiguration, a bright cloud enveloped Jesus, Peter, James, and John, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" This event underscores the divine nature of Christ and the continuity of God's presence from the Old Testament to the New.

Theological Significance

The Cloud of Glory is a profound symbol of God's immanence and transcendence. It represents His willingness to dwell among His people while also highlighting His holiness and otherness. The cloud serves as a reminder of God's guidance, as seen in the wilderness journey, and His desire for a covenant relationship, as demonstrated at Sinai and in the Tabernacle.

Throughout Scripture, the Cloud of Glory is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to lead, protect, and dwell with His people. It is a powerful image of His presence that continues to inspire awe and reverence among believers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 33:14,15
And he said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Lord of Glory.
... Thus He is called in 1 Cor ... The Lord of Glory descended in the cloud and stood with
him ... say of Joshua, David, Daniel, Ezekiel, who all beheld His Glory and stood ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the lord of glory.htm

Following the Cloud.
... A company of the Elders of Israel went up and saw the glory of God afar off, but
God called Moses up into the Mount, and the cloud closed him round ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... tabernacles of these early Christians, as a cloud of glory ... church, but it is for
the glory of God ... of thanks." In Philippians, prayer is called "requests." "Let ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... offering, the tabernacle itself consisted of two apartments called the holy ... apartment
the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory between the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

The Angels with the Seven vials.
... By these being called "the vials of God's wrath," we ... of the temple with the smoke
of God's glory, to the ... the type of the "Holiest of all," a "cloud covered the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angels with the seven.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... offering, the tabernacle itself consisted of two apartments called the holy ... apartment
the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory between the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

A Soul Gazing on God
... the light which was afterwards called the 'Shekinah,' and dwelt between the cherubim,
and was ... For the light of the bright cloud, which is the glory of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a soul gazing on god.htm

God's Spokesman.
... then, that we may identify Him, is called by a ... He has overpowering visions of the
"glory of Jehovah." Yet ... the description is a storm gathering, a cloud, a fire ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gods spokesman.htm

God Proclaiming his Own Name
... The 'Glory' was the technical name for the lustrous cloud that hung over ... eternal
Being, and in the accompanying declaration of so-called 'attributes' were ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/god proclaiming his own name.htm

Third Sunday Before Lent
... never have appeared. Therefore, the cloud was called the glory of
the Lord whose appearance had been promised. So we see ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday before lent.htm