The Rainbow

Have you ever considered the spiritual significance of a rainbow? "How can a rainbow have spiritual significance", you may be wondering? Well, to be honest, most NATURAL things in Scripture do in fact possess some SPIRITUAL connotation too. Solomon has said, "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter" (Prov 25:2). Shouldn't we, as kings and priests, search for truth, even if it may require diligence? I believe so. The Word of God is manifold, and cannot be held in mere natural light alone. By doing so, I can promise that you'll miss MUCH of what the Holy Spirit is saying. Rather, let's compare SPIRITUAL things with SPIRITUAL, and discover many of God's hidden gems! If you are indeed a disciple of the Word, then "it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven..." (Matt 13:11).

One of these such gems is this spiritual truth regarding the rainbow.

A detailed reading of Noah's story (Genesis 6-9) will show us that the rainbow is a token of the covenant God has made with the earth, after the flood. It is a natural and physical extension of light from heaven to earth that illustrates the ever-present spiritual extension of God’s heart to mankind: "I do set a bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth" (Gen 9:13).

So what is the significance? Well, did you know that colors, in Scripture, carry with them spiritual significance? It's true. They, often times, act as symbols. Even a casual glance at certain portions of Scripture will prove this to be true. If we are to take the entirety of Scripture as "God breathed", then we must, in fact, do so (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21). This cannot be a mere theory, but a real practice. Colors, names, places, every jot and tittle has symbolic, interpretive significance. Don't believe me? Finish reading.. you just may change your mind!

The colors of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet (purple). Reader, this is no coincidence. Spiritually speaking, these colors depict the characteristics of God's heart that are extended towards us, in covenant.

- Red (crimson) symbolizes sacrifice. He is the eternal redemptive sacrifice. Note Lev 14:52; Josh 2:18; Isa 1:18; Ps 51:17; Rev 7:14; etc.
- Orange, or amber, symbolizes the glory of God or the brilliance of His presence. Note Ezek 1:4, 27 and 8:2.
- Gold (yellow-gold), symbolizes the divine nature and glory of God. Note Ps 68:13; Rev 14:14; Song 5:11; Matt 2:11; 1 Cor 3:12; Mal 3:3; etc.
- Green symbolizes life, growth and prosperity. Note Ps 23:2; Song 1:16; 2:13; Gen 1:30; etc.
- Blue symbolizes the heavenly realm. Note Num 15:38; Exod 24:10; Ezek 1:26; 10:1; etc.
- Purple symbolizes royalty, majesty and wealth. Note Jdg 8:26; Jn 19:2; Song 3:10; Lk 16:19; Song 7:5; etc.

As I already mentioned, the colors of the rainbow are symbolic of God's merciful and loving extension toward His people. Consider the following verses:

Isaiah 54:6-10 "For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee."

Can you hear the merciful heart of God in these verses? "The waters of Noah" is referencing the great mercy He will have upon us. The rainbow was a token of this covenant. His loving character is continually EXTENDED toward us.

Personally, I believe the people of God are to possess these same affections (ministerially) toward the earth. We so often see cruel judgment and criticism, but I do not believe this is God's heart. After all, He loves His creation (Jn 3:16). If God saved you out of your misery and wretchedness (see Ezek 16), don't you think the earth deserves a shot too? There will indeed be a people who truly identify and partake of these "rainbow characteristics" of God. The earth is waiting for such a true representation! Observe:

"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: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth..." (Rev 10:1-2).

There is much debate over the identity of this "angel" or "messenger" (as the Greek says). Most scholars agree that this "messenger" is a man, and not an angel. Some have thought him to be a pope, while others have thought him to be an emperor. Most agree that, whoever he is, he is a representative of the Lord Jesus - acting in His stead (hence the word "messenger").

Could it be that this "messenger" is representative of the corporate people of God in the last days? I think so. This "messenger" possessed a "little book" in his hand. These people have eaten and assimilated God's word, and now are offering it to the earth: "Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the messenger" (10:8). They have overcome, and can now minister this to a dead and dying world (Rom 8:18-19).

How glorious that this messenger company possesses a rainbow upon his head! These will have the same mind towards the earth that God does. They will be in His very image. They will possess His heart! They will EXTEND the same affection towards mankind that God does. They will be God’s representative in the earth; a true witness. They will be a people of total sacrifice, of glory, of God’s divine nature, of life and prosperity, they will be walking in a heavenly realm, and they will be deemed as God’s royalty; His bride. God will manifest them to the earth. They will be used of God to bring life to a dead and dying people:

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Jesus] was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor 15:45-49).

WOW! May such a precious EXTENSION of God's love overtake us today!