The Overshadowing Cloud, and the Indwelling Glory

Then the cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
(Ver. 34, 35.) The external and internal manifestation of the Divine presence, protection, and glory: Divine and Almighty protection above, and Divine glory within. For “he that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” God himself is “a wall of fire round about his people, and the glory in the midst.” The Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon them. “The eternal God is their refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
This overshadowing cloud and this indwelling glory was a prefiguring of what took place at Pentecost, when the Church of God first commenced its history and its course, and when believers were first builded together for an habitation of God, through the Spirit. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4.) And again (Acts 4:31): “And when they had prayed, the house was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
What external and internal manifestations have we here of the presence and power of the Spirit of God! And what a Divine glory shines forth from all!
So also the inspired prayer of the apostle in Ephesians 3:14-19: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.... that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
When Christ first foretells the setting up of his own Church, in Matthew 16, he says, “And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This is the external protection. And he adds, in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This is the internal glory.
But what is the principle of all this, and the secret of its enjoyment? Obedience, implicit obedience.
Seven times the word of God had testified that Moses, the servant of the Lord, had done each particular “as the Lord commanded.” And at Pentecost the disciples were assembled in willing-hearted and united obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus. And the Lord Jesus testifies also concerning the Church in Philadelphia: “Thou hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8.) “Then,” when all was in accordance with the word and will of God, and not till then, “the cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
“Lord, how is it,” says Jude, “that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” “Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my word (not words): and my Father will love him, and we will conic unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23.) This is a principle of the utmost importance, and throws a Divine light on many a perplexing question.
When Solomon had finished the house of Jehovah, according to the Divine will and pattern, then “the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.” (1 Kings 8:10,11.) The cloud, and the indwelling glory is here seen again.
Isaiah prophesies of the time of future blessing to Israel, when “the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense.” (Isaiah 4:5.) Here again is “the overshadowing protection.”
Ezekiel, who saw in vision the glory taking its gradual departure from the first temple (Ezekiel 10 and 11.), afterward also in vision saw the glory returning to the millennial temple. “And, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 44:4.) This again is the internal glory.
John, in the apocalyptic vision of the Church’s future blessedness, saw that great city, the holy Jerusalem, but “saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21,22, 23.)
“There no temple rose before him, —
There no glory shone above;
All was temple, all was glory,
All in all was God and love.”
The saints in glory will dwell in God, and God in them. His glory is their overshadowing cloud; his presence is their indwelling glory.
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
So also, in the temple of Solomon, “the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.” (1 Kings 8:11.)
And so on the mount of transfiguration, when Moses and Elias appeared with Jesus in glory, “there came a bright cloud and overshadowed them: and the disciples feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone.” (Luke 9:34-36.) Thus, whether it be Moses, the servant of God, or the priests in their priestly ministry, or the two men on the mount of transfiguration, all give place to the glory of God and of the Lamb.