Significance of the Rainbow

Significance of the Rainbow

The rainbow is among the most beautiful of sights to be found in the whole of creation. As I am well-advanced in years I have had the inestimable privilege of seeing its wonderful arched-form spread out across the heavens. Of course so many of its appearances have been long forgotten, but one remains indelibly etched upon my heart. A number of years ago I had been invited to take responsibility for an evening Ministry Meeting quite some distance from my home. I had preached the Gospel and ministered the Word of God there on many occasions prior to this particular evening. But I remember it as if it were but yesterday. Just a short distance from the Gospel Hall the brightest and most beautiful "bow in the clouds" bejeweled the sky, seeming to touch the earth itself at both points; appearing to be in touching distance from me. It took my breath away! I knew at that moment I had to change the character of the ministry I had had upon my heart, and the Spirit of God so graciously enabled me.

But what is the divinely purposed significance of the Rainbow? First of all we must establish ownership. Jehovah speaks of it as "My bow," thus silencing all other claims. Genesis 9:13.

What precious truth has the Lord assigned to the "bow," what does it represent? At the cessation of the universal deluge, when those eight souls who alone remained alive on the earth, disembarked from the ark, "Noah built an altar to Jehovah," upon which he offered up burnt offerings. Genesis 8:20.

As surely as the ark was a "type" of Christ, so also were the burnt offerings, and their "sweet odour" "odour of rest" ascending to heaven itself; "And Jehovah smelled the sweet odour." Genesis 8:21.

This a precursor of the fragrance produced in incarnation by the Son of His love, that which would ravish the heart of the Father, throughout His sojourn in this scene. 

Indeed, at that very moment we read, "And Jehovah said in His heart," what a sublime expression, "I will no more henceforth curse the ground on account of Man." 

Genesis 8:21. 

Twice the Lord repeats "And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you." 

Genesis 9:9&11.

And thus He speaks of the "sign" that seals, confirms this covenant: "I set My bow in the clouds, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." "And the bow shall be in the clouds,...This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is upon the earth." Genesis 9:13, 16&17.

What is that covenant? It is as infinitely simple as it is infinitely profound. "And I establish My covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood, and henceforth there shall be no flood to destroy the earth. 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 soul of all flesh that is upon the earth." Genesis 9:11,16.

The "bow" is His, and the assurance of His mercy is secured, because it is His responsibility to "look upon it;" just as in a later dispensation He would promise, "And when I see the blood I will pass over you;" Exodus 12:13. 

But now we witness an abomination flagrantly waved before the face of the Lord. Men and women promoting and the most perverted acts, reminiscent of Sodom, have dared to attempt to claim the "rainbow" for themselves! To publicly and unashamedly declare their pride in their loathsome, nauseating manner of life. My heart sank and something akin to fear took hold of me when first I learned of this wicked practice. I was afraid that the Lord would act immediately in providential judgement. And perhaps this pandemic is of such a nature.

But I hasten on. Only the other day I learned something that gave me a little solace in the face of this monstrous affront to our righteous God. Many of the populace of the  United Kingdom have assigned the "rainbow" as a tribute to the National Health Service, Care Home Workers, etc. This has thoroughly dismayed those who support the obnoxious behaviour of the homosexual community. Hoist upon their own petard. But more than that I learned that the so-called rainbow emblem assigned to them has only SIX colours! This is not a matter of ignorance, but that of satanic origin. SIX, in Scripture is mans' number, that of incompleteness, of imperfection and confederation in evil. While SEVEN is Gods' number, expressing perfection,completeness, rest, fulfilment and blessing. Here in this scene the seven-coloured rainbow has been appropriated to set forth in a feeble, but in a way of thankfulness, the acts of mercy performed by the "front line" workers bravely facing the threat of the coronavirus. God will ever have the final word; He is still on the Throne!  

  

Update concerning my son Adam

A considerable number of the Lords' people have asked me to "post" an update concerning the health of my son Adam (Wyatt).

He is presently in hospital having developed Sepsis as a result of a large kidney stone and kidney infection that had not been detected at an earlier stage. He previously underwent various tests to discover the nature of a supposed recurring U.T.I. But nearly a fortnight ago he had to be rushed to hospital with symptoms similar to Covid-19.

He had various intravenous "drips" to combat the infections and hydrate him. He was very seriously ill and we were fearing the worst, humanly-speaking. he had to undergo numerous tests and suffer a number of unpleasant procedures.

The Doctors tested him for Covid-19 on three occasions but each test proved negative, the symptoms of Sepsis are very akin to those of the virus, but there are more nasty symptoms re. Sepsis.

As of now, in wonderful answering mercy to the continual prayers of so many saints I can report that Adam has almost, if not absolutely, beaten both infections. He has an internal "stent" which acts as a drain to expel the infectious "material" near his kidney. When he has regained enough strength to be able to "transfer" from bed to wheelchair/car etc. he will be discharged; then four weeks later he has to return to hospital as an out-patient and have an operation to remove the kidney stone. He has to have this waiting period so as to be able to withstand the anesthesia.

A Doctor I spoke to commented that he was "remarkable well." Sepsis can hospitalise a patient for as long as eighteen months, and is often fatal. When it realised that Adam remains a paraplegic, and has been in hospital for less than two weeks, it heightens the measure and magnitude of Gods' grace to him. 

Excuse the length of the "post" but I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible. Please continue to pray for him. We thank you from the depths of our hearts for your faithfulness.

Tom Wyatt

Bristol U.K.