Summary: The "rainbow" is God’s symbol of peace to mankind. In this sermon, the rainbow is shown to sometimes appear AFTER a storm, sometimes DURING a storm, and sometimes BEFORE a storm.

“The Rainbow”

Genesis 9:9-14

I. The Rainbow Appeared to Noah AFTER the Storm (Gen. 9:9-14)

A. Read Genesis 9:9-14

B. The Life of Noah –

 Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8)

 God commanded Noah to build an ark for the saving of his house

 Noah obeyed God and entered into the ark (Heb. 11:7)

C. Noah released 2 Birds – Dove & Raven

 Raven depicts the sinner

 Dove depicts the saint

 The dove could not live out and live off the refuse of the world, so it came back twice

 The raven was satisfied to eat the bloated dead bodies of the world

D. Gen. 9:9-14 reveals how God provided a “token of a covenant” to Noah AFTER the storm.

E. The “Bow” is an interesting token – In ancient times a warrior returning home from war would hang his “bow” on the wall of his house depicting that war was over – it was now a time of peace.

F. The world is looking for PEACE, but sadly, many look in the wrong places.

G. Today, America has lost her “moral conscience” – We are in the middle of a “Storm” – Expound of deterioration of morality in USA

H. Today, there are many STORMS –

 Storm of the Lost (before salvation)

 Storm of Tradition (dead orthodoxy)

 Storm of Pride (between believers)

 Storm of Feelings (feelings will fool you)

I. Noah’s Rainbow received from God AFTER the Storm says, “Never Again!”

J. The Rainbow AFTER the Storm speaks of Peace AFTER Salvation!

K. Have YOU found such perfect peace that passeth all understanding? Roman 5:1 states, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

II. The Rainbow Appeared to Ezekiel DURING the Storm (Ezek. 1:26-28)

A. Ezekiel was given a Prophecy of a Storm

B. In the Midst of the Storm Ezekiel saw a Rainbow – Expound Ch. 1

 Ezekiel saw a fierce whirlwind coming out of the North

 He saw 4 living creatures with 4 faces – lion, ox, eagle, man

 Each creature had 4 wings, straight feet, and hands under its wings

 These creatures symbolize God’s attributes in creation – majesty, power, swiftness, and wisdom

 Beside each of the living creatures was a “wheel within a wheel”

 Above the firmament was a throne, with the Lord of Glory seated upon it

 Above the throne Ezekiel saw a Rainbow (Ezek. 1:26-28)

C. This whole vision is of the impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar

D. The Bow was the very “Glory of God”!

E. YOU are never so close to God as you are in a storm of life.

F. Explain – Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego (Dan. 3)

G. Just as God was with these three Hebrew boys, so He will be with you during the midst of the storms of life

H. Examples of Those Who Saw Lord During the Storms of Life:

 Isaiah – (Isa. 6:1-5) Like Ezekiel, Isaiah too saw impending judgment upon Judah; However, during this storm, Isaiah saw the Lord of Hosts!

 David – (Psalm 23) Like Ezekiel & Isaiah, David saw the Lord during the valley of the shadow of death

 Stephen – (Acts 7:54-60) Following his sermon to the Jews, Stephen saw the Lord as they stoned him to death

 Paul – Upon being stoned outside gates of Lystra, Paul saw the Lord while being transported into the third heaven

 Elijah – The Lord appeared to him during his flight from Jezebel

 Moses – The Lord appeared to him during his exile from Egypt

 Abraham – The Lord appeared to him during his storm with Isaac

I. My friend, have YOU recognized the presence of the Lord in your storm?

J. God’s wants you to see the Rainbow DURING your storms too!

III. The Rainbow Appeared to John BEFORE the Storm (Rev. 4:1-4)

A. John’s vision is important - “Get Ready! There’s a Storm Coming!”

B. The Rainbow in John’s vision says, “We will never be a part of it!”

C. Why? Because when the Tribulation Period comes, “We’re Out of Here!”

D. The world will go through a terrible time of storm – There will be No Peace, Wars, Famine, and Death!

E. All of the world’s problems today are simply the “Beginning of Sorrows”

F. We see the stage being set today – The Lord is at hand!

G. Jesus could come any day – The only safe place to be is in the arms of Jesus.

H. The Lord spoke to Lot before the time of judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah and said, “…for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither.”

I. This is what Christ will say to us – “Come up thither!” – Then Tribulation shall befall all the inhabitants of the earth!

IV. Conclusion

A. Have YOU experienced the Rainbow AFTER the Storm ? PEACE with God

B. Have YOU trusted the Rainbow DURING the Storm? PEACE of God

C. Have YOU realized the Rainbow BEFORE the Storm? NO STORM to Come