DEVOTIONAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS

THE GLORY CLOUD - July 29

THE “TANGIBLE” GLORY CLOUD

         There are times when in a church building----even when approaching from the parking lot----there is a visible “glory cloud” over the church, filling the sanctuary. It is a holy fog. I’ve witnessed, embraced, experienced, dwelt in this awesome phenomena. I’ve seen it roll into the sanctuary, watching its effect on those present. Those prone to talking become silent; it is difficult to stand upright, people are wobbly and often “slain” in the spirit---dropping like flies. You will find people on the floor around the altar, lying in the aisles, amidst the seating. God’s glory is significantly apparent on faces; people are healed, changed forever. This holy spectacle is a manifestation of the presence of God.

         And it is not something new.

         2 Chronicles 5:13&14--- … in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying,"He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting," then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

         It is a natural occurrence when God’s people turn and tune into Him---especially via worship.

         Revelation 15:8---And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

         Exodus 19:18---Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

         Exodus 40:34---Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

         Leviticus 16:2---The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.

         1 Kings 8:10---It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD, …

         2 Chronicles 5:13---in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying,"He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting," then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,…

         Isaiah 6:4---And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

         Revelation 21:11---…shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

AT JESUS’ SECOND COMING

         Mark 13:25-27---…the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.…

         Daniel 7:13---"I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.

         Matthew 16:27---For the Son of Man will come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

         Matthew 16:28---Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

         Mark 8:38---For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels."

         Mark 9:1---Then Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God arrive with power."

         Mark 14:6---"I am," said Jesus, "and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven."

         Luke 21:27---At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

         2 Peter 1:16---For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

         Revelation 1:7---Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him--even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.