“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 that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” Genesis 9:12-15 (ESV).
We have a rainbow on one of our faceted stained glass windows. There is a reason for this.
After the great flood, which was a judgment for sin, God hangs His war bow in the clouds, facing away from the earth. God speaks to Noah and gives assurance that He will never again destroy the earth by flood. Every time we see the rainbow all generations can find comfort that God has given His word to never again destroy the entire earth by flood.
Rainbows direct our attention to the God of the Bible who reveals Himself in both natural revelation (the wonder of creation) and special revelation (His word).
Rainbows are indeed wonderful to behold. Revelation 4:3 reminds us that around God’s throne is a rainbow with the appearance of emerald, a demonstration of God’s splendor.
The first thing informed Christians think about and talk about when they see a rainbow is the God who in mercy will not again destroy the earth by flood. The world will not experience such a universal watery catastrophe again. The idea is that God is merciful and willing to be patient. Rain and flood are not causes for us to fear the end has once again come. Instead, the rainbow reminds us of a merciful God who shows His great mercies to us in an even fuller way in the substitutionary death and resurrection of the Eternal Son become flesh.
History’s end will come, but not by flood. 2 Peter 3:1-7 reminds us the earth as we know it will be consumed by fire . Revelation shows us the New Heavens and the New Earth follow. Then time and space as we know it will be brought to a God appointed end. Eternity will begin.
(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)