Somehow the month of JUNE has become connected to the RAINBOW and, as a Christian, it begs the question:
What does the Bible say about "RAINBOWS"?
Let us go all the way back to the times of GENESIS:
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:5-8
And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. … And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them 50 cubits deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days. Genesis 7:12, 18-24
That is a very sobering event. What does it have to do with a RAINBOW??
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him. “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant…and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Genesis 9:6-16
What a beautiful sign to all of us of God’s great promise, but there is more…
Ezekiel had an encounter with the LORD and this is a portion of what he saw. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. Ezekiel 1:28 – 2:2
Ezekiel’s encounter was just a taste of what John was to later experience in God’s throne room. As we began in Genesis, we now move to Revelation: At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Revelation 4:2-3
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire.
Revelation 10:1
What are we to make of man’s current usage of the sign of the RAINBOW in light of what we see in God’s Word?
As SGM breaks for the summer, perhaps this could be a personal topic of study or one to tackle with a friend. Our Covenant Lending Library is full of interesting resources that have currently been reorganized for ease of use. There is a caution in Matthew 24:36-39 that “as in the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” While we are yet under God’s grace, let us become prepared to witness in love and truth to all those who need a witness before that day arrives?
For more information go to www.TecumsehCove.org/SGM or contact:
Julie Schiller MISchillers@comcast.net 517-750-7494
