Searching for a Rainbow

The things of God are often twisted and perverted by our sinful world, the rainbow is no exception. It's simply one example that we rarely think about.

In recognizing the perverted, sinful uses of the rainbow, it is somewhat ironic that the rainbow came about precisely because of God's judgment of man's sinfulness.

Unnatural sexual activity before the flood is precisely what prompted the flood.

Genesis 6:1-3

Genesis 6:1–3 NKJV

Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Sodom and Gomorrah was also judged because of sexual sin.

Jude 7

Jude 7 NKJV

as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Sexual immorality is rampant in this world today.

Adultery

Pre-marital sex

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is now commonplace on TV and in movies, and taught as normal and acceptable behavior in our schools.

We even have an entire month dedicated to it.

Those who speak out against it are considered intolerant, hateful, bigots; engaging in hate speech.

instead of homosexual activity being branded as perverse and shameful, it is the ones who speak out against it who are ostracized from society.

Our society has become reminiscent of Isaiah’s warning.

Isaiah 5:20

Isaiah 5:20 NKJV

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

You have to wonder how much more will God tolerate.

Thankfully, believers will be gone before His hand of judgment falls.

Judgment may be imminent, but grace is ready and waiting.

Our text tells us of a covenant of grace.

The rainbow is a symbol of the covenant between God and man, and the animal kinds that were with Noah on the ark.

A promise that God would never again destroy the world by water.

But, there are other judgments coming, the tribulation judgments, and a judgment of fire.

Judgment is coming.

2 Peter 3:7

2 Peter 3:7 NKJV

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:10

2 Peter 3:10 NKJV

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

If you've trusted Christ as your Savior, you will escape those judgments... Grace awaits.

God is not mean for sending the flood, but rather a Merciful God for offering a way out.

God told Noah to build an ark to save representatives of the animal kind and his family.

The ark was much bigger than needed for the animals and Noah’s family.

Others could have gone through that door to be saved.

After the ark was loaded it stood for seven more days before God shut the door, and Noah probably preached from that doorway for those seven days.

The ark is a picture of salvation in Christ, He is the only door. No other way will work.

John 10:9

John 10:9 NKJV

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The rainbow is a symbol of Christ.

Ezekiel 1:26-28

Ezekiel 1:26–28 NKJV

And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.

Revelation 4:2-3

Revelation 4:2–3 NKJV

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.

The rainbow is a reminder of God’s judgment, as well as His grace.

A holy God is without sin, and must judge sin.

In His judgment, He shows mercy. He always offers salvation with the judgment.

Jesus has already suffered the judgment in our place, there is no need for you to have to suffer it.

The next time you see a rainbow, remember:

God is the creator

God judges sin

God offers mercy and salvation

God declares redeemed, those who have trusted in Christ.

Remember to use the opportunity to tell someone about Christ.

Some may say “but I was born this way, but Jesus says you must be born again.

Salvation brings a new birth and a changed life.

John 3:3

John 3:3 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Salvation is a simple matter of faith.

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.