The cloud over the tabernacle signified the very presence and glory of God Himself.
When the tabernacle was completed, the Shekinah glory cloud rested above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. It was the same supernatural cloud that had led Israel out of Egypt, appearing as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This cloud guided Israel's travels and marked the place where Jehovah dwelled.
Exodus 13:21 — This verse records that the LORD went before Israel as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night—the same supernatural presence that later rested over the tabernacle.
Exodus 13:21 states, "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night." This shows that the cloud was a visible manifestation of the LORD Himself, leading His people. The biblical account of the tabernacle's completion is introduced in Exodus 40:1, where the LORD speaks to Moses about setting up the tent. The lesson then explains that the same cloud, the Shekinah glory, took its place above the Holy of Holies.
Les teaches that when the tabernacle was completed, the cloud—the Shekinah glory—set itself right above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (Clip 3). This cloud was not a natural phenomenon; it was the absolute presence of God, and Les identifies it as Christ, Jehovah, God the Son in His Old Testament personality (Clips 1, 4). The cloud was Israel's guiding light: when it lifted and moved, Israel moved; when it stopped, they set up the tabernacle so the Holy of Holies was under the cloud (Clip 1). By day it was a cloud that gave shade, and by night it became a pillar of fire that gave light (Clip 4).
Les explains that the cloud set over the Holy of Holies and became the guiding light of Israel. Whenever it was time to move, the cloud lifted up and moved; when it stopped, the tabernacle was set up with the Holy of Holies under the cloud (Clip 1). This guidance continued as Israel prepared to cross the Jordan, with the Ark and the cloud showing them the way (Clip 3).
Les rejects the idea that the cloud was caused by a volcano, with dust by day and volcanic fire by night. He calls that "ridiculous." Instead, he insists it was a supernatural cloud, the very presence of Jehovah Himself—a cloud by day that gave shade from the Mideast sun and a pillar of fire by night that gave light to carry on activities (Clip 4).
The Ark of the Covenant was located in the Holy of Holies, and the Shekinah glory cloud set itself directly above the Ark. The veil in the tabernacle depicted the body of Christ and kept even the priests from approaching the Holy God represented by that cloud by day and fire by night (Clips 2, 3).
The Tabernacle Is Ready to Be Erected
Les opens Exodus 40 and explains that all the materials brought from Egypt have been crafted and the tabernacle is now ready to be set up—setting the stage for the cloud's arrival.
The Cloud as Israel's Guide
Les explains that when the tabernacle was completed, the cloud set over the Holy of Holies and became Israel's guiding light: when it lifted they moved, and when it stopped they set up the tabernacle under it.
Shekinah Glory Above the Ark
Les describes the cloud by day and fire by night as the Shekinah glory directly above the Ark of the Covenant, noting that the veil kept even the priests from approaching this holy presence.
The Cloud Above the Ark of the Covenant
Les teaches that the Shekinah glory cloud set itself directly above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, signifying God's presence and mercy leading Israel.
A Supernatural Cloud, Not a Volcano
Les insists the cloud was supernatural—the visible presence of Jehovah—and rejects the volcano theory; he identifies the cloud as Christ, Jehovah, God the Son in His Old Testament personality.
The Glory Filling the Temple
Les compares how the glory of God filled Solomon's temple so the priests did not dare intrude, showing the same Shekinah glory pattern continuing later in Israel's history.
What Saves You? Head Knowledge vs. Heart Belief
Well, it was rent from the top to the bottom. Not from the bottom to the top, but from the top to the bottom, signifying that no man had anything to do with it. It was an act of God. But anyway, the veil back here in this little tent was that which separated the Holy of Holies from the main sanctuary. Verse 35 of chapter 36, "...
What Saves You? Head Knowledge vs. Heart Belief
The Ark of the Covenant, as it was experienced back in the early days of Israel, was the very indication of the presence of God. Now, we know that when Israel sets up their temple now, in the next few years, the presence of God is not going to sit over it. It's going to be a man-made religion for the most part.
Exodus 13:21: And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
This verse identifies the cloud by day and fire by night as the LORD Himself going before Israel—the same presence that later rested over the tabernacle.
The cloud over the tabernacle was the Shekinah glory—the visible presence of God. It appeared as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night and rested over the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant stood (Clips 2, 3).
Yes. Les teaches that the supernatural cloud that went before Israel by day and became fire by night was the very presence of Jehovah, and it later set over the completed tabernacle to guide Israel's journeys (Clip 4).
When the cloud lifted and began to move, Israel knew it was time to break camp and follow. When the cloud stopped, they set up the tabernacle with the Holy of Holies under the cloud (Clip 1).