What's in THE CLOUD?

What's in THE CLOUD?
Thursday, March 17, 2022 by Leona Choy

I don't mean “The Cloud” in the sense of the cyberspace place where individuals and businesses keep their files in a secure and safe manner with a “cloud services provider” to have on-demand access on any of their devices.

I'm referring to “The Cloud” in the Heavenly, spiritual sense. There are many “Cloud” occasions recorded in the Bible. Among them: the cloud of the glory of the presence of God in the Tabernacle, the pillar of cloud that led the Israelites through the wilderness, the cloud from which God spoke to Moses and from which God's voice was heard at Jesus' baptism, the cloud that received Jesus at His ascension, Jesus' return in clouds of great glory, and our being caught up to meet Him in the clouds.

We're searching for WHOM the Bible identifies as being in the “Cloud of witnesses” in addition to the famous List of The Faithful spiritual role models in the book of Hebrews chapter 11. Different versions describe the Cloud as being “so great with many people of faith.”

We can only imagine that Heaven will be crowded but people will not be “taking up space” with their glorified, eternal, transformed bodies! The entire Church through the ages will be there! Jesus is not exclusively “our personal Savior.” It's not going to be "just Jesus and me" in Heaven. He is Sovereign in the whole universe, in heaven and earth through all ages, the King of kings and Lord of lords. My guess from the Book of Revelation context is that there will be wonderful, happy, noisy activity, a constant celebration.

Or maybe not? There might even be “another way of speaking, singing, hearing, communicating besides what we know as audio on earth. Once we arrive in our Eternal State, we are sure to be continually surprised to find out what exciting revelations lie beyond our five senses! [Don't miss ordering your copy of my book “Will We Need Cell Phones in Heaven?” Place your order at [email protected].]

Among other occupations that we won't know about until we get there, the saints “in the cloud” could be observing and cheering on those of us who are still struggling during our earth lives! One version expresses it “watching us from the grandstands.” By "saints" I mean who the Apostle Paul meant when he addressed his letters to the fledgling churches and Christian believers in various cities. “Saints” mean "holy ones," the followers of Jesus Christ who are working at becoming holy during their earth-time with Jesus' help. Because only the holy are allowed in Heaven, when we finally make it there we will all be holy. We will have become saints for real! We never turn into angels—those are separate beings created by God to carry out His will.

Have you lost someone you love who knew Jesus? The Bible is clear that the souls of our loved ones and friends who died in Christ are alive and well and now fulfilled, perfected, and holy in the presence of God. Jesus declared that those who believe in Him shall never die. I believe that because Jesus said so, don't you?

According to the book of Revelation, apparently those who died in Christ are aware of what's going on "back here," “down here,” or “over here,” depending on in what dimension God has been preparing a Place for us to exist eternally in our immortal state. (John 14:1-3) Rev. 6:10 suggests that Heaven's residents are aware of what is happening on earth and understand something about the duration of time.

It shouldn't surprise us if our loved ones are able to watch us and pray for us to Jesus Christ our Lord with whom they are now continually close. He intercedes for their requests. He is the One Mediator between God and man, but there can be many intercessors. The Holy Spirit presents our prayers to the Father edited to be acceptable to His will. (Romans 8:26, 27).

This is certain: Jesus ever lives to intercede for us. (Hebrews 7:25) I believe that these "finalized saints" could also be part of what is called "the great cloud of witnesses." (Hebrews 12:1) In the cloud are surely far more faithful people than the patriarchs and martyrs for Christ's sake who are listed. There could be gazillions of them! (Revelation 8:3,4)

I believe that some who prayed for me while on earth are now praying for me from Heaven! That someone is cheering me on when I'm flying low. Another may be waving a flag or ringing a bell urging me, "Press on! Don't faint! Keep running. You can do it! God is helping you make it to the Finish Line!" All glory to God who sits on the Throne, who hears the prayers of His holy ones, reaching Him like incense from golden bowls. (Rev. 5:8)

Ever since I was a teenager in the Presbyterian Church in Iowa I have been confessing the “Communion of Saints” each time I recited the Apostles' Creed. It points me to the continuing bond of unity of Christians on earth with those in Heaven. We are together the whole Body of Christ forever.

I joyfully take it literally and ask for the prayers of my departed loved ones: my husband, parents, family, friends, and the godly ones from ages past whom I have never met, but I look forward to fellowship with them in Eternity. Just as I have prayer partners on earth whom I call my “First Responders” or my "Praying Eagles," so I have prayer partners in Heaven, my personal "Cloud of Witnesses." It is not wishful thinking; this is what I believe. If I'm mistaken, God knows my heart and will correct me when I arrive.

I don't attempt to speak to my heavenly prayer partners. Nor does the Bible teach that residents of heaven are able to do anything tangible on our behalf. They can't answer our prayers. That is in God's exclusive power. In their eternal state, my heavenly prayer partners are and will always remain human without the attributes of Divinity. They can pray to Jesus for me, but the answers to our prayers and theirs come only from Almighty God the Father.

How exciting if we could see through the veil between our dimensions to understand how really close to us our "cloud of witnesses" might be! Someday we'll find out! Nevertheless, by faith, I am encouraged and energized to keep running my earthly race as they cheer me on!

When God launches you into Eternity, my friend, look around for your cheerleaders “in the cloud” on the other side of the Threshold. They might be the ones arranging the gala “Welcome Celebration” for you! Encourage one another with these words!

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Rhea Tantlinger From Tn At 3/18/2022 9:01:57 AM

I love you Leona and so look forward to your posts, I am in GA with my son and will be going back to Purcellville to stay with my daughter for a while. Maybe I can get together with Donna and you and do lunch again sometime in April, how ?? does that sound? I would LOVE ?? ? ?? Rhea