The Cloud

“And after he had said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”(Acts 1:9)

What happened to Jesus in the cloud? Was it his vehicle for traveling to heaven? Or was a UFO waiting for Jesus in the cloud, as Erich von Däniken believes? No, the cloud was the “Shekinah,” the very embodiment of God’s presence! We have read about the Shekinah cloud and its journey with the people of Israel, as it stood between the Egyptian army and then guided them through the desert. It was with Moses on Mount Sinai when he received the Ten Commandments. It was also present in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, and it left the Temple when Israel sank into sin. The Shekinah cloud was also present at Jesus’ baptism, as well as on the Mount of Transfiguration.

The “Shekinah” represents the direct presence of God! When Jesus Christ was taken up into the cloud, he immediately returned to his rightful place within the divine Trinity; he did not travel through space to reach a specific location. Nor is this necessary, since God—unlike angels and humans—is the only one who is omnipresent.

What is the Shekinah? The Shekinah (Hebrew שְׁכִינָה šəchīnāh) is the “presence” of God! Among the secondary meanings of the term are “rest,” “happiness,” “holiness,” or “peace”—always as attributes that characterize the sphere of influence of God’s presence and make it perceptible and visible to humans.

Hebrews 1 states that Jesus sat down on His throne after completing His work, but as God, hasn’t He always occupied the Father’s throne?Both are true. Certainly, God’s Son has always been the Lord of all worlds, but the words in Hebrews 1:5: “You are my Son; today I have begotten you” refers to His incarnation; this must be kept in mind. In the face of such glory, what else can one do but honor Him in gratitude and worship?

In this spirit, I pray that we may all come to know Him more and more, Amen.

God bless you.