| On August 6 2003, early in the morning as the sun came up, we had a thunder storm. The sun was shining in the east but in the west it was raining. A pretty rainbow lit up the sky. |
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God wants us to look
up into the rainbow and have hope even when we walk through difficult
times. Genesis 9:16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. I think about how the man Noah must have felt when he saw his own boys and their wives trying to over come sin in their lives. Everyone on this earth has had this struggle. The Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Noah must have feared that another flood would some day destroy his grandchildren. His heart must have agonized every time he heard a family argument. |
| God designed a law of physics that we can see as light passes through water and separates out the colors of light into a beautiful spectrum of colors we call a rainbow. This law of physics was designed to be a signal and a sign to us of God's faithfulness. |
| In Revelation, John saw a rainbow around
God's throne. It had unusual colors which seemed different than the colors
we can see of red, blue and purple. They are described as green or
emerald.
Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. |
 John
wrote about a rainbow he saw around Jesus Who was in a pillar of cloud
like was described in Exodus. In that experience, the Israelites were
camping and they saw this cloud which was a covering about Jesus. When the
cloud moved, they were to follow. It was a light for them at night a
covering from the hot sun in the day. When the Egyptians wanted to kill
them, it blocked their vision. They saw darkness, but on the other side of
the cloud it was light for God's people. Jesus was leader of Moses and the
million people who left Egypt for the promised land. Again at the end of
time, God's people will see Jesus in His cloud. In Revelation 10:1, John
said, " And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of
fire"
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  When
Jesus comes He will have a rainbow about Him. This rainbow is a sign.
We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, lighter, and brighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire, a rainbow was over it, around the cloud were ten thousand angels singing a most lovely song. And on it sat the Son of Man, on his head were crowns, his hair was white and curly and lay on his shoulders. His feet had the appearance of fire, in his right hand was a sharp sickle, in his left a silver trumpet. This is a small portion of an article by Ellen White printed in the Daystar as she relates her vision.
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  The rainbow round about the throne is an assurance that God is true, that in Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
We have sinned against Him, and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas, "Do not abhor us, for Thy name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory; remember, break not Thy covenant with us." Jer. 14:21. When we come to him confessing our unworthiness and sin, He has pledged Himself to give heed to our cry. The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word unto us. {COL 148.1}Like Aaron, who symbolized Christ, our Saviour bears the names of all His people on His heart in the holy place. Our great High Priest remembers all the words by which He has encouraged us to trust. He is ever mindful of His covenant. {COL 148.2} All who seek of Him shall find. All who knock will have the door opened to them. The excuse will not be made, Trouble Me not; the door is closed; I do not wish to open it. Never will one be told, I cannot help you. Those who beg at midnight for loaves to feed the hungry souls will be successful. {COL 148.3}Christ Object Lessons. |
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| The rainbow of promise encircling the throne on high is an everlasting testimony that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. It testifies to the universe that God will never forsake His people in their struggle with evil. It is an assurance to us of strength and protection as long as the throne itself shall endure. {DA 493.2} Desire of Ages |  |
As the bow in the cloud results from the union of sunshine and shower, so the bow above God's throne represents the union of His mercy and His justice. To the sinful but repentant soul God says, Live thou; "I have found a ransom." Job 33:24. {Ed 115.2} |
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The rainbow about the throne is an assurance that God is true. . . . We have sinned against Him and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas: "Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us." Jer. 14:21. |  |
  The people of God--some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains--still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. . . . {FLB 347.3}With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth. Then a rainbow . . . spans the heavens, and seems to encircle each praying company. . . . {FLB 347.4}  By the people of God a voice, clear and melodious, is heard, saying, "Look up," and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they behold the bow of promise. The black, angry clouds that covered the firmament are parted, and like Stephen they look up steadfastly into heaven, and see the glory of God, and the Son of man seated upon His throne. In His divine form they discern the marks of His humiliation; and from His lips they hear the request, presented before His Father and the holy angels, "I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." John 17:24. Again a voice, musical and triumphant, is heard, saying: "They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled. They have kept the word of My patience; they shall walk among the angels;" and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their faith, utter a shout of victory. It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance.
Faith I Live By 348 |
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What
does the Bible say about rainbows?
