The Significance Of The Rainbow

After the flood of Noah’s time, it is recorded in Genesis 9:14-15 that God said, “When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” The rainbow is God’s promise to never again judge humanity with a flood.

The rainbow can also serve as a reminder that Noah’s family were the only ones spared because of obedience and faithfulness to God. That took a whole lot of faith because before the flood rain had never fallen on the earth. The rainbow was a sign of God’s saving grace by putting trust in what God said.

How is this important for today? Matthew 24:37-38 says, “For as the days of Noah so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” This passage continues saying that people will go on with life as usual, totally unaware of coming judgment. So, how was it in the time before the flood? Genesis 6:5, and 11-12 answer this question. “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence.” This is an accurate description of our times, is it not?

Jesus is coming again, and when he does, he is going to spare those who have put their trust in him. I hope you will be part of that remnant of believers, but it is God’s desire that all of humanity would be saved. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

One thing for certain is that God’s rainbow has seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Seven is God’s number of perfection and completion. God is absolute perfection!  Every person falls far short of God’s righteous and moral standards. Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We all are in need of forgiveness and redemption. Next time you see a rainbow after a storm, remember that God has provided a way of salvation, and freedom from judgment. Is it a coincidence that the first color of God’s rainbow is red? I do not think so. Red is associated with the sacrificial atonement of Jesus shedding his blood on a cross to die for your sins and mine. The only question is, will you, out of a humble heart, accept his loving grace and provision of salvation?