LightGrams
June 1, 2017
Volume 21, Number 19
By no means can I be called a frequent flyer. On the occasions I’ve taken to the air for travel, I love sitting by the window. I’m fascinated by the view above the clouds. Things can look mighty different from up there!
Is it still safe to travel in and above the clouds? We hear so much about “cloud computing”, and security software that is based “in the cloud”. Yet I’ve never heard of an airplane colliding with a server or any other type of computing devices.
“Cloud computing” is actually anything but that. PC Magazine, in an article published in May of 2016, explained: “cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive”. Thus, if your computer crashes, it’s not the catastrophe it once was – assuming you are storing your photos and files in the clouds. But not everyone uses the cloud; I mostly don’t.
The point is this: Cloud computing can give peace of mind if you use it properly. Ten years’ worth of your children’s photos can be tucked away on two or three remote servers, and always ready for you to view. No need to worry about spilled drinks on the laptop’s keyboard. (But understand that most “clouds” charge a fee for their services.)
Even cloud computing is not 100% fail-proof. Hackers and terrorists are clever people, and all systems are subject to intrusion. Secure? Yes. Totally secure? Not actually.
With all that said, I still look to the clouds for my security. I’m referring to Luke’s account of the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:9: “Now when [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Angels appeared and told the bewildered disciples that Jesus “will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
Where did Jesus go when He vanished from their sight? Daniel gave the answer hundreds of years earlier: “… And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days … to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13,14). Jesus is seated at God’s right hand. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, saw Jesus “standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56).
The story of Jesus has not ended, though. As the angels indicated to the disciples, Jesus will return “in like manner”. That’s what John also affirms in Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.” Every eye will see Jesus return; yours, mine, and everyone else’s.
I’m looking at the clouds right now, and I don’t see Jesus. But one day …
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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