Taking The Rainbow Back
One of the most beautiful things to see upon the earth is the rainbow. Depending on your vantage point, you can see a wonderful array of colours across the sky following the rain. You'd need someone smarter than I for a scientific explanation of why the rainbow is there, but I can sure tell you Who put it there and why.
After the flood had ended, and Noah and his family had exited the ark, the LORD spoke to them. He 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: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh. 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. (Genesis 9:12-16)
When a rainbow is seen in the sky, it is a reminder of God's covenant with Noah - a covenant which was "for perpetual generations." That means, when we see the rainbow in the sky, it is a sign of God's covenant with us.
The presence of the rainbow after the rain is a sign of His faithfulness. He has promised that He will never again destroy all flesh by water, as He did in Noah's day. In saying that He will "remember the everlasting covenant," the thought is not that He would otherwise forget, but rather that He will be faithful to His promise. The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness.
Unfortunately, in our modern era, the rainbow has been employed as a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride movement. The "pride flag," designed by Gilbert Baker, was introduced at a "gay pride" parade in June 1978.
“The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness.”
I have nothing against any homosexual as a person, but I abhor homosexuality as a lifestyle, as God's word condemns it as sinful. I abhor it no more or less than any other sinful practice. The apostle Paul wrote:
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
Throughout the Scriptures, there are warnings and judgments regarding homosexuality. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their sexual misconduct (Genesis 18:20-21; 19:5-8; Jude 1:7); God gave direct commands against homosexuality in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13); Paul cited homosexual behaviour as one of the many sins for which the Gentiles had set aside the knowledge of God for (Romans 1:26-27); and Paul indicated that some of the Corinthians had engaged in same-sex relationships prior to their conversion to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). These, and other texts reveal that though man has the freedom to choose homosexuality, such is not pleasing to God, our Creator.
I have heard a good friend and fellow Christian voice his displeasure with today's common usage of the word "gay." Though the primary definitions by Merriam-Webster are "...happily excited ...keenly alive and exuberant ...bright, lively..."1, the word has become almost exclusively used to refer to the homosexual community. What a sad deterioration of the English language.
The transition of this word, from a former usage of cheerful and carefree life, to it's present reference to a God forbidden manner of life is disturbing. But more tragic, is that the symbol of a covenant established by God with all the earth "for perpetual generations" would be seized and used to represent a manner of life which God so obviously condemns in the Scriptures.
The rainbow DOES NOT belong to the homosexual community. They may manufacture flags, pins, and all kinds of propaganda items with the rainbow on it, but they are powerless to put even a single colour of a rainbow in the sky. When you see a rainbow, whether in the sky, on a flag, or wherever it be, be sure to proclaim to others the God who made it and the covenant it symbolizes.
1) Merriam-Webster.com
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Answering The Atheist
Complaint:
Should believers discuss their faith with non-believer? Some texts say yes (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:5-6) but others say no (2 John 1:7; 1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:16)? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Peter is very plain in telling is that we need to be ready at all times to share our faith with non-Christians. 1 Peter 3:15 says
...always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear...
The second reference given by the questioner also firmly commands Christian to share their faith with non-Christians. Colossians 4:5-6 reads:
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Both contexts make it clear that the writers are commanding Christians to share their faith with non-believers (see 1 Peter 3:16; Colossians 4:5).
The question then is, do John (2 John 1:10) and Paul (1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:16) tell Christians to avoid sharing their faith with non-believers? Consider what is recorded.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him (2 John 1:10)This does not prohibit the sharing of faith with non-believers, but is a warning to not share in the false doctrines and deeds of those who are in contradiction to God's will (see 2 John 1:11).
O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge - by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)Those who have "strayed from the faith" are not non-believers. Timothy is warned not to enter into useless conversation. Elsewhere (1 Timothy 4:16; 6:12), Paul commands that he teach those who are not of the faith.
But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:16)In the immediate context, Paul reveals that this warning is about men like "...Hymenaeus and Philetus ...who have strayed concerning the truth..." (2 Timothy 2:17-18). Again, like in 1 Timothy 6, Paul is warning that Timothy should not waste his time with useless wrangling.
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response Skeptic's Annotated Bible.