I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. Genesis 9:13
1978
San Francisco
Gilbert Baker created the first version of the gay pride flag in response to the community’s cry for a symbol that would unite their cause.
But the rainbow actually predates 1978 and the LGBT movement.
The rainbow predates the US Government. It predates Christianity. It even predates all organized religion. Yes, it was a symbol. It was designed to unify. But its origin is much different than what many people think of today.
The first time we see the rainbow in recorded history is in the historic text of Genesis 9, after the story of the global flood.
Elohim introduced the rainbow. He isn’t just the first to use the rainbow as a symbol. He created it.
Who is he?
Elohim, as he is called in Genesis 9, is the “Strong One.” He is described by this name 2,570 times in the ancient manuscripts.
He says, “I am Yahweh your Elohim, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt.” Exodus 20:2
Why did me make it?
So Elohim said to Noah, “This is the sign of the promise I am making to all life on earth.”
What does it mean?
He said, it was a promise.
What promise? To never flood the earth again. To never destroy like that again.
That promise was peace. That promise was grace. That promise was mercy. That promise was forgiveness. That promise is Jesus.
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:37
Every time. Every single time you see a rainbow, no matter if it is lit on the White House or in the breaking light of a dampened sky, remember, God is speaking. He is speaking promise. He is speaking mercy. He is speaking Jesus.
To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:20-22
