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Why Rainbows? By Jim Anderson Are rainbows just pretty reflections we see in the sky after it rains? Or is there something more to them? God's creation holds many designs and messages.
hy did God make rainbows? No doubt it was partly to bless us with a wonderful visual treat, but the Bible tells us that God gave it as a token or sign of one of His covenants with mankind. For centuries, rainbows have been considered a symbol of prosperity, peace and hope. For some they have represented a false hope. Take, for instance, rainbow chasers, looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This pot of gold can be representative of the many things we go after in life. But the rainbow has a genuine and important significance. Let's look at Genesis and pick up where the Flood had just ended and God spoke to Noah.
Notice that God called it "My bow," although it came to be known as a "rainbow." In Revelation 4:3 we read: "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." (See also Ezekiel 1:28.) So God had a "bow" in heaven long before the Noachian Flood.
His bow God gave us something from His very throne as a sign of His covenant. The rainbow promises us that mankind will never again be destroyed with a flood. "And, behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die" (Genesis 6:17). It is possible that it had not rained until that time, but that the earth itself had always provided the water.
Yes, God was willing to share something from His very throne as a sign of His covenant (promise) with mankind, that He would not destroy the world in this way again. Rainbows aren't just pretty; they have a special significance that points us to God. I hope this knowledge will help you to better appreciate just how special God's bow, the rainbow, truly is. Jesus Christ used the example of Noah to reveal attitudes that would predominate near the end. To learn more, read our free booklet Copyright 2005 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Origin of article "Why Rainbows?"
Keywords: rainbows promise God's throne
Covenant: