The "Presence" is by no means only a New Testament concept but is at the heart of the Old Testament. The Lord promised Moses that “His Presence” will be with him. (Ex 33:14) It was "His Presence" dwelling with his people in the Tabernacle that was central in the OT covenant and became the all sufficiency of God to his people. The Hebrew word Presence is the exact same word for Face (Strongs 6440 paneh). When Moses entered the Cloud he saw the Lord “Face to Face”. The Cloud held the Presence of the Lord and He was visible. In the New Testament this took a further development when for believers "his presence" becomes a living reality experienced by the indwelling of the Lord through his Spirit. Every individual believer becomes the Tabernacle for God. However, when Jesus returns at his "parousia" his Presence will be in his corporate body of people in a new way. It is in his Presence that we will see him “Face to Face”.
In a very real way Christ’s Presence has been with the church for the last 2000 years. Just because he has not been visible does not diminish his Presence. His Presence with and in His people is at times so powerful and real that it is unmistakable and overpowering. However, to fulfil the real meaning of this word there must come the time when this Presence becomes visible and tangible. The parousia is the return of the Lord Jesus to be with his people. It is not just an invisible manifestation of Christ when there is his spiritual "presence", or even an outpouring of his Spirit, but it is his VISIBLE appearance to his people. The apostle John made this clear when he wrote that believers should abide in him so as not to be ashamed when he "appears" at his parousia. (1 John 2:28) This word "Appear" is defined in Strongs Concordance 5319 (phaneroo); "to render apparent, to manifestly declare and show oneself". Vines Expository Dictionary says that the word means more than to appear; it is to be revealed in one's true character. It was used of Christ's appearances immediately after his resurrection, and I will show that those "appearances" are significant in understanding his return. (Mk 16:12,14, John 21:1,14). After his resurrection God granted that he was made visible to believers. (Acts 10:40,41 NAS) This was a preview of what will happen at his return when he will APPEAR to his people who will then enter his PRESENCE and see him Face to Face.
Another word used for Christ's appearance at his parousia is "epiphaneia" (2015) and it carries with it the idea of brightness and splendour. (2 Thes 2:8, Titus 2:13,14) The people of that time used to refer to the visit of an emperor or dignitary as his “coming (parousia) in splendour", for this was how they used the word. So it has been defined as "a visible manifestation in splendour of a hidden deity by personal appearance and deed of power".
Yet another word used is "apokalupsis" (Strongs 601) which means revealing or unveiling. It assures us that a day is coming when the veil will be lifted from our eyes and we will see God's glory in Christ unveiled. (2 Thes 1:7, 1 Pet 1:13, 4:13) We will consider deeper aspects of these words later for they describe the day when Christ will be present with his people, unveiled in visible appearance and splendour.
He will then usher in the Day of his Reign as King and will rule with his people and through them subdue the whole world to the Kingdom of God. Throughout the Bible the emphasis is on the Kingdom of God ON EARTH. Through the centuries the focus has been on "going to heaven" but that does not change the promise that Christ will return to earth.
If we examine the prophecies, and especially the shadows and types of both the Old and New Testaments, we will find that there is a great weight of support for this; and that it is far more Biblical than what is often taught. We need to see the whole pattern and strategy of God as he reveals his plan through progressive events which bring his Kingdom ever closer. We need to consider the manner in which previous events took place so as to understand how future events will come to pass.
COMING IN THE CLOUDS - Luke 21:27
What does it mean, "He is coming on clouds"? What would you think if I said to you “My head is in the clouds” or “I am walking on clouds”? Would you think that I am suddenly flying up in the sky? No, I am using common English idioms. So too when Jesus said he was coming “in the clouds” he was using a term that every Jew was familiar with.
When Jesus spoke to the high priest he confirmed that he would “come on the clouds of heaven in power and glory”. (Matt 26:64, Dan 7:13) He taught in parables and figures of speech. He was the master of metaphor. Many things that he taught were not openly revealed but had to be received and understood by the Spirit of God and the Biblical definition of the terms he used. When we consider his teaching about his return we must not try to understand it in a natural way, but must interpret it from a Biblical perspective. He was NOT referring to the clouds of vapour that bring the weather, but to clouds of "power and glory". In this way he gives us the clue. We therefore need to look at Biblical clouds of God's power and glory to understand what He meant.
THE OLD TESTAMENT CLOUD
Throughout the Old Testament God revealed his power and glory in a CLOUD. The cloud represented the supernatural "Presence" of God with His people; in crossing the Red Sea, in the wilderness, indwelling the Tabernacle, filling the temple, and so on. The cloud was the VISIBLE PRESENCE of God dwelling with his people. The cloud was visible but could not be approached by everyone. In fact God warned the people not to come too close; but Moses approached it and even entered it. When he went into the cloud he met with God, FACE TO FACE. The cloud was the visible manifestation of the "Presence" of God and those who were able to enter the cloud saw God! The Cloud is a portal into the Lord’s Presence. It is not up in the sky, it is the Cloud of His Presence when He comes to his people.
The prophet Ezekiel saw God in a cloud and described His majesty and power. When Isaiah went into the temple he saw the Lord high and lifted up and the glory of God filling the temple like smoke. This was the cloud of God's glory. The CLOUD displayed the visible PRESENCE of God, the place where God functioned, where God's Glory was revealed and where God met with his people. Please take time to read and think on these scriptures.
Ex 13:21,22, 14:19-24, 16:10, 19:9,16-21, 24:15-18, 33:9-11, 34:5, 40:34; Lev 9:23,24, 16:2; Num 9:15-22, 12:5-8,14:10, 16:19, 42; 20:6; Deut 31:15; 1 Kings 8:10-12; 2 Chr 5:13, 14, 7:2; Ezk 1:4-28, 10:3,4, 43:1-5. Isa 6:4.
The Tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting, became closely identified with the Presence of God. The cloud came to rest in the Holy of Holies and there God dwelt with His people. (Ex 25:8,30, 33:9-14)
