The God Man: The Cloud Rider

The sermon explores the biblical motif of the "cloud rider," tracing how this divine figure appears throughout scripture as a representation of God's presence and power, particularly in prophetic visions from Ezekiel and Daniel. This imagery becomes especially significant in the New Testament, where Jesus explicitly identifies himself as the prophesied cloud rider, both in his teachings and through his physical ascension into heaven on a cloud as recorded in Acts. The theological implications of this connection demonstrate that Christianity isn't a new religion that began 2,000 years ago, but rather the fulfillment of ancient Hebrew prophecy, with Jesus revealed as the eternal God who had been working throughout history to bring about humanity's redemption.

Synopsis:

Throughout biblical literature, clouds serve as powerful symbols of divine presence and supernatural transportation. The imagery of the "cloud rider" appears repeatedly in scripture, carrying profound theological significance that bridges the Old and New Testaments. This motif reveals important truths about the nature of God and, specifically, the identity of Jesus Christ.

The Divine Significance of Clouds

In ancient worldviews, clouds held particular mystery and significance. Unlike many natural phenomena, clouds remain beyond human control, appearing and disappearing at will, taking various forms, and serving different purposes - from providing shade to delivering rain and snow. Their transcendent nature and ability to capture human attention made them natural symbols of divine presence in many ancient religions.

This symbolism appears across various ancient faiths. In Canaanite religion, the god Baal was depicted as riding on clouds to execute vengeance. Greek mythology portrayed Zeus not as a cloud rider but as a "cloud gatherer," amassing clouds to harness their power through thunderbolts. Even modern cultural references, from Hindu and Buddhist traditions to contemporary media, continue to attribute special significance to clouds as vehicles of transcendent beings.

Clouds in Biblical Tradition

In biblical tradition, clouds specifically symbolize the presence of God, sometimes referred to as the "Veil of Yahweh." This is clearly illustrated in Exodus 33:9: "When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance Lord would speak with Moses." The cloud served as both a signal of God's presence and a protective barrier, shielding sinful humanity from direct exposure to divine glory.

The prophetic literature often depicts clouds as instruments of divine judgment. As Isaiah 19:1 declares: "Look, the Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. Egypt's idols will tremble before him and Egypt will lose heart." This imagery of divine transportation continues throughout scripture, including the New Testament book of Revelation.

The Cloud Rider Revealed

One of the most vivid descriptions of the cloud rider appears in Ezekiel 1, where the prophet witnesses an extraordinary vision. He describes a thunderous cloud controlled by four divine beings, each with four faces, including that of an eagle. These beings move in perfect synchronization with wheels filled with eyes, responding to God's Spirit. At the center of this awesome spectacle sits a human-like figure on a jeweled throne, radiating divine glory.

Daniel 7 provides another crucial vision of the cloud rider, describing "one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven" who approaches the "Ancient of Days" and receives eternal dominion over all peoples and nations. This passage creates an important distinction between two divine figures while maintaining their unity - a precursor to Christian trinitarian theology.

The New Testament writers and Jesus himself clearly identified this cloud rider with Christ. When questioned by the high priest about his identity, Jesus directly referenced Daniel's vision, stating: "You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds in heaven" (Matthew 26:64). This claim was considered blasphemous by the religious authorities, as Jesus was explicitly identifying himself with the divine cloud rider of Old Testament prophecy.

The Ascension and Return

The imagery of Jesus as cloud rider continues in the account of his ascension. Acts 1:9-11 records that "he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight." The angels present declared that Jesus would return "in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven."

Jesus himself prophesied this return in Matthew 24:30-31: "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds from one end of the sky to the other."

This description parallels Ezekiel's vision, with both featuring loud sounds like armies and trumpets, and both emphasizing the visible nature of the event. This challenges interpretations of a "secret rapture," as scripture consistently portrays Christ's return as a globally visible and audible event.

Implications for Worship

The proper response to understanding Jesus as the cloud rider is found in Psalm 68:4: "Sing to God. Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds. His name is Yahweh, and celebrate before him." This verse provides three key applications: worship, exaltation, and celebration.

Worship through music holds particular significance, as it communicates to and from the soul in unique ways. The choice of what we listen to becomes a spiritual act, particularly when we choose music influenced by God's Spirit.

Exaltation involves more than verbal praise - it requires obedience. As Jesus challenged in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and don't do the things that I say?" Our obedience demonstrates the depth of our belief in Jesus's divine identity. Disobedience, conversely, attempts to dethrone Christ rather than exalt him.

Finally, celebration of Christ, particularly through communion, recognizes the profound truth that the merciful God who created all things is the same God who came to save humanity from sin. The cloud rider imagery reveals Jesus not as a new deity or teacher, but as the fulfillment of ancient Hebrew prophecy - the eternal God who planned humanity's redemption before creation and executed that plan through his incarnation, death, and resurrection.

This understanding of Jesus as the cloud rider of ancient prophecy presents every person with a crucial decision: to either worship him as Lord or reject his claims. The biblical witness consistently presents Jesus not as a new religious figure, but as the eternal God of Israel, now revealed as the merciful savior who rides the clouds in glory.