While the title of this blog may sound like the catchphrase from a Skittles commercial from the 90’s; I assure you, it’s meaning may have more significance to those of us who are becoming very aware of the temporariness of this life. For believers in Jesus, when we think of a rainbow we are reminded of how God created it for the purpose of securing His promise to Noah and the future world that He will never flood the earth again.
“And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” – Genesis 9:12-17
While secular people may have come up with scientific reasoning behind the rainbow, we know that God has established it in the heavens and for the very reason stated in Genesis 9. The LGBTQ community has claimed the rainbow as their identity symbol; they fly it everywhere they want to express their belief system. While this is their right, I suppose, the real meaning of a rainbow is clearly defined in scripture. This being said, we see that in the throne room of heaven, God has established a rainbow in the very presence of His holy place.
John the Revelator describes it this way, “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 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. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” – Revelation 4:1-5
For the believer, this has to be one of the most powerful and encouraging passages of scripture in all of the NT.
While it speaks of the coming Rapture of the Church, it also describes where we, as raptured/resurrected saints, will be going when we are caught up; to the very throne room of God Almighty. John tells us that God’s throne room is set in heaven and ‘One’ who sits on the throne. There are 24 thrones situated around the Lord in glory with 24 elders sitting on those thrones. Around the throne of God is a rainbow. This is a majestic and ominous characteristic of God’s throne room, a beautiful rainbow. I am sure the beauty and splendor of this place is indescribable with mere words. None the less, John does his best, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to give us all a glimpse of what is to come for us the moment we are raptured/resurrected.
The phrase, ‘taste the rainbow,’ is a phrase that I embraced a while back to describe a moment or an experience when the Lord gives us a glimpse of what heaven will be like through an experience, a relationship, or just a good moment that needs to be savored like a fine wine (grape juice) or a cherished loved one. We have all enjoyed those special people in our lives, many are family, some are friends, and others are deeply appreciated for who they are, what they do, or just because we can see the Christ within them and how they represent Him in their daily lives or examples. I have people like this in my life, beginning with my family, our three adult kids and their spouses, who I love very much and cherish immensely. I have extended relationships that I have come to appreciate over the years, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have a ‘top 5’ list of both adult ladies and adult gentlemen in my life that I find myself praying for and appreciating as the years go by. I have some very special little people whom God has blessed Debi and I with in the form of grandkids. We were able to hold our latest little angel in our arms the other day as she, along with her sweet parents, who we were visiting. They are living much closer to us than ever before which means that we can increase the frequency of our visits. Clearly, our newest granddaughter is part of that rainbow, except when it’s time for a diaper change; then the rainbow isn’t so glamorous. Alas, every healthy body needs elimination.
As we near the real rainbow that awaits us in God’s throne room, we begin to see the stark differences between this world and the world that awaits us. This war in the Ukraine is breaking my heart. These precious and beautiful people, many of them are Jewish and more are Christian, are suffering and dying at the hands of a deceptive madman who is being opposed on the ground and the sky from the Ukrainian people and certain others. History tells us that before the US entered into WW2, this was the case in Europe, the Nazis (the national party of Germany) was invading the peaceful European country while the US stayed out of it, that is until that fateful and infamous day on December 7, 1941 when the sleeping giant awoke. It would be another four years before WW2 would be over, and then, the rainbow would return. We are visited with pictures of what life was like when WW2 ended and how America, and the world, went back to work, building lives and families from broken economies and people; this was the fruit from the greatest generation. My parents and grandparents were part of that generation and I, and millions more like me, benefited from it; that was one tasty rainbow.
Today we are seeing the devastation of our nation and the nations of the world being dismantled under the hands of people with an agenda that is tyrannical, freedom-less, and unloving or patriotic. As a Christian man I am a patriot of America, second only to my love for the Lord and my family. I have benefited from the many blessings that God has bestowed on this nation and myself. I do appreciate all of it and I see my many rainbow blessings as a manifestation of God’s blessing on my life and His promise to me because of His faithfulness to His Word. Nothing compares to the promises that await me and all of us who have placed their faith in Jesus.
David described tasting the rainbow this way, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want (lack) to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” – Psalm 34:8-10
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:1-5
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait (in faith) on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” – Psalm 27:13,14
God blesses His people with good things, but all of the good that God gives cannot compare to what He has waiting for us on the other side. We all get so much time on this rock and then we, if we die in Christ, graduate into glory and inherit the many blessings that God had prepared for us. What we see on this side of the vail pales in comparison to what the Lord has prepared for those who love Him. This rainbow that I speak of is as real as the Word of the Lord to us. We can be sure that someday very soon we will be united with Christ and all those who have loved His appearing; our brothers and sisters in the Lord. While I am grateful for the many blessings that God has bestowed on me and our family, what I am longing for is to be with the Master in glory.
Paul said it this way, “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:18,19
If you’re reading this and you’re not ready to meet the Lord, you can be. Place your faith and trust in the Lord and call upon His name for your salvation. If you are ready to meet the Lord, stand by, we’re not long for this world. Jesus is returning for His Church and He will be here very soon. Our love for the Lord will be manifest in our obedience to Him while we wait and occupy till He comes. Share your faith, love those entrusted to your care, and above all, enjoy the taste of this temporary rainbow, because the real one is one its way.
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Central Missouri. He lives with his wife of 32-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 