For most people the sight of a rainbow after a storm has come to symbolize peace, or maybe beauty. This is understandable because a rainbow is both beautiful and usually shows up during the peaceful aftermath of a storm. However, for the believer, the sight of a rainbow should bring to light much more.
Most everyone is familiar with the first rainbow we are going to discuss. This rainbow is found in Genesis. It is the rainbow that appeared to Noah after the flood. The scripture does a good job of telling us what this rainbow stands for. It is a symbol of the covenant God made with man to never again destroy the earth with water. So when we see a rainbow we can gain comfort that no matter how bad the storm was, or is, it will not destroy us.
The second rainbow is a bit more ambiguous in scripture. It is found in Revelation chapter 4. In this chapter John the revelator is describing what he sees around the throne of God in Heaven. One of the descriptions includes an Emerald rainbow. This rainbow is seen behind Jesus Christ on his throne. The representation here is the promised kept by God to place his appointed King to the throne. The fact that the rainbow is Emerald is also important because the Emerald is believed by most to be the stone on the Priestly garment that represented the tribe of Judah. Jesus is the promised seed from the tribe of Judah that was prophesied to set on the throne of David.
In order to see the third rainbow we must first learn a few things about rainbows.
1. Rainbows are seen when light hits water and is seen by a person at the correct angle. (about 42 degrees)
2. The water works like a prism splitting the ray of light into seven colors.
3. Because of the angle needed to see a rainbow it is believed that no two people see the same rainbow. If they both see a bow it is technically two different ones.
Okay, using Romans 1:20 as our based let’s unveil the third rainbow found in scripture.
Like everything else, it all starts at the cross. At the cross there were three men crucified. One rejected Jesus (the negative); one accepted Jesus (the positive). As the positive and negative met in the middle the great light of the world (Jesus) shinned bright. This light is seen as the true light after the storm Jesus had just went through represented by the cross its self. As we look at the sacrifices made by Jesus (the light) through the cross (the prism) we see salvation (the covenant).
History, along with the book of Revelations, shows us that there are seven identifiable church ages since Jesus on the cross. This is the rainbow of seven lights seen after the light of God is looked at through the sacrifices made on the cross. We all have a different angle as to how will see the cross which shows the individual relationship we must have with God. Just like you can’t see someone else’s rainbow, you can’t be saved by someone else’s experience with God.
For my last point I want to address an interesting fact about rainbows. Sometimes a second bow can be seen. This bow is not as bright as the first and the colors appear in reverse. Experts say that this second bow is not real it is just a false reflection of the first bow. This illustrates what Satan tries to do with us. He is not a creator, he is just an imitator. Satan takes what God has made perfect and tries to fool us with his false “look alike”.
So, next time you see a rainbow, along with the peace and beauty, let it also remind you that Jesus is on the throne and in control, and that God has sent his son as a covenant promise to you that you will live forever with him. If you see the second rainbow, be reminded that it, like Satan’s power, it is not real.
Now go let your light shine as a symbol to others of the hope that is within you!
