Homework - Clouds = Angels in the Bible
Our homework is to show proof and example of angels described as clouds. I have come with three different examples.
Acts 1:9-11 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
In Acts 1:9, we see that Jesus was taken up with a cloud. In verse 11, it is said that the same manner that Jesus was taken up into heaven, the same way he will come down (in his 2nd coming).
Matthew 24:30 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
This verse shows that Acts 1:11 was correct, Jesus does indeed come down the same way he was brought back into heaven — with clouds. This verse refers to His second coming, where he shall come down in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 25:31 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
In Matthew 25:31, here we see a similar verse with the previous one, where it is talking about Christ’s second coming. But instead, we see that Jesus comes down with holy angels. From these verses alone, by using the method of here a little and there a little, we can already work out that clouds can be connected with holy angels. But we know that one example isn’t enough, Matthew 18:20 tells us that we need 2-3 witnesses to establish, so here is another example:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This verse talks about the ones who are saved, and how they will be caught in the clouds in the air to meet with Christ.
Mark 13:27 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Mark 13:27 shows about the uttermost part of heaven (skies), where the angels are in.
Daniel 7:13 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
When Jesus enters the Most Holy Place to join with His Father, he came with the clouds of heaven. But in order to enter the MHP, He first has to go through the Holy Place. Let’s see who joins with Him when he is in the Holy Place.
Psalm 68:17 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
Psa 68:17 shows us that angels were present with Him, as he was in the holy place. From these 7 verses, we see examples where clouds are used to describe angels in the Bible. By using here a little, there a little, we are able to connect verses with each other to know that there are times in the Bible where clouds = angels. The next part of the homework given was to explain why those who pierced Jesus in Rev 1:7 are able to see Him.
Revelation 1:7 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
To explain this, I have gone to the writings of EGW, where she tells about the special resurrection.
Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth ... awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from the tomb glorified to hear God's covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory, and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.—The Great Controversy, 636, 637 (1911). {LDE 271.2}
In Daniel 12:2, it shows that there are two types that are risen up — those who are saved and given eternal life, and those to shame and everlasting contempt. In Rev 1:7, it says that those who pierced him (referring to Christ) will see His coming.
This is the special resurrection, where those who mocked, ridiculed, and persecuted Christ and His people who keep his law, they are the ones who will behold and witness Jesus in his full glory, giving honor upon those who were loyal and faithful to Him, and obedient to His commandments.