067. REV 4:3. THE RAINBOW

Rev_4:3. The Rainbow

"And there was a rainbow round about the throne, a sight like unto an emerald."’97Rev_4:3

In this chapter is presented to our notice he splendid vision of heaven with which John was favored. He is permitted to view the throne of God, and to have an imperfect vision of the great and august Being who sat upon it. He is favored with a view, also, of the splendor which surrounded his throne, which is expressed in the text, "And there was a rainbow," &c. After this, he beheld the four-and-twenty seats upon which the elders were sitting, with their golden crowns and white garments. He saw, also, the four beasts round about the throne, and heard their hallowed ascriptions of purity and praise; for day and night they worship God, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." He then heard the universal chorus of praise proceeding from the four-and-twenty elders, who. fell down before the throne, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Thou art worthy," &c. The whole of this is very glorious and striking, and deeply interesting to the expectant of heavenly felicity; but our remarks must be confined to the appearance of the throne. "And there was a rainbow," &c.

I. Let us view the Nature and Scriptural History of the Rainbow.

The rainbow is presented to our notice,

1. In connection with the covenant God made with Noah.

After the deluge, God gave a gracious promise to Noah, that he would never again bring a flood of waters upon the earth; Gen_9:8. To the rainbow he referred as the sign or token of the covenant thus made. There can be no doubt but that the rainbow had been seen from the beginning, and was not, as some have thought, created for this occasion, as it is the natural effect of the rays of the sun, falling on drops of rain in a cloud, and by the refraction and reflection of those rays. God was pleased, therefore, to select it as the token of that promise which he had given to Noah, as the representative of mankind to the end of the world. There are several striking reasons for the appointment of the rainbow as the sign of this covenant. We mention two:

(1) The rainbow is only seen when the fears of men might justly be excited as to another flood. No doubt that the descendants of Noah, for many generations, would have greatly feared, whenever they beheld the black clouds stretching themselves across the heavens, in gloomy and portentous aspect And it is only when these clouds appeal that the rainbow is seen. How appropriate, then, that at these seasons the bow should be the recognised symbol of peace and promise!

(2) The rainbow can never appear but when there is sunshine as well as rain. So that the darkened cloud is rendered quite unalarming, when the rays of the sun fall upon it, and produce the bow. Besides, so long as the rainbow is beheld, a deluge is naturally impossible.

2. The rainbow is connected with the most splendid representations of the divine glory.

There are three instances of this in the holy word. The first as seen by Ezekiel, chap. i. ver. 28. Here is an evident reference to Jehovah, as governing all things in the person of his Son, who is spoken of in ver. 26, as having the appearance of a man; and it is in and through Christ that Jehovah treats with mankind, and by whom he directeth and upholdeth all things both in heaven and earth. The second instance is in the text, where Deity, high, and lifted up on his holy throne, and surrounded by the worshipping hosts, as encircled "with a rainbow, in sight like unto an emerald." This, evidently, intimates the gracious connection subsisting between God and wan; and that, however elevated and glorious he may be, yet his grandeur and majesty are made to act in blessed concert with the arrangements of grace. The last representation of the rainbow is in the 10th chapter of this book, ver. 1, where we are taught, however Jehovah may step forth arrayed in garments of terror, or however black the dispensations of his providence may appear, that yet his head is ever adorned with the rainbow of grace, and that, as such, he will be ever recognised by all those who love and put their trust in him; that, while he is the destroyer of his impenitent enemies, he is the unchanging friend and consolation of his people. Let us, then,

II. Consider the Rainbow as a striking Symbol of God’s gracious Regards to our fallen World.

Observe,

1. The rainbow is turned up towards heaven, is unstrung, and without arrows.

And here we perceive that God is in a state of reconciliation with our world. Our sins had justly incurred his displeasure; he might, therefore, have appeared as a man of war, with his bow strung, and hit quiver full of arrows of vengeance, ready to pierce the hearts of his enemies. But. that this might not be the case his Son stood forth and requested that the bow might be turned towards himself, that its arrows might all lodge within his own heart; and that, when the quiver was exhausted, it might appear to man in its present form, harmless and unstrung. God is at peace with us, through the blood-shedding of Christ, and he can now be the just God, and yet the Saviour.

2. In the rainbow is exhibited the union of the seven prismatic colors.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Now this appears beautifully to set forth the harmony of the divine perfections in the economy of grace. When God proclaimed himself to Moses, he exhibited himself in this glorious seven-fold character. Lord God, Jehovah Almighty’97merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, yet inflexibly just; Exo_34:6. Now, all these are exhibited in harmonious operation in the redemption of man, and were all combined in the person and work of Christ. Behold his miraculous power’97his mercy to the miserable’97his grace to the unworthy’97his long-suffering to his enemies’97his goodness to all’97his truth in all his doctrines’97and his justice in giving his own life promptly and freely, as he had engaged for the salvation of our world. Yes,

"Here the whole Deity is known,

Nor dares the creature guess

Which of the glories brightest shone,

The justice or the grace."

3. The rainbow appears to reach the heavens.

And thus it shows us the heavenly origin of all the blessings of grace. In heaven the plan was formed’97from thence the Saviour came’97gospel is glad tidings from heaven’97the Spirit descends from heaven; so likewise, pardon, and grace, and holiness’97every grace and benefit’97every good and perfect gift, &c.

4. The rainbow appears to unite heaven and earth together.

This is truly effected in redemption "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." Angels sang this o’er the plains of Bethlehem. "Glory to God," &c.

5. The rainbow in the text is said to be about the throne of God.

This indicates that all his attributes and perfections are under its influence. It binds all together. All his laws, and ways and works are under its benign influences; in short, the throne of God is the throne of grace, of covenanted mercy, and reconciliation, and good-will towards us. Hence, the apostle, "Let us come boldly," &c. There is, indeed, enough to overwhelm us, to startle us, to keep us at a distance, viz., the majesty, glory, and purity connected with it; but there is one grand source of encouragement even to the vile and guilty sinner, that there is "a rainbow round about the throne," &c.

6. The rainbow round about the throne is represented as like unto an emerald.

The meaning is, that the beautiful green color of the emerald was the chief and leading appearance it presented. Intending to teach us the freshness and perpetuity of the blessings of God’s grace. Though thousands of years have rolled round since the New Testament dispensation was determined upon and contrived, yet it is still green and flourishing as ever’97it never changes or decays; it is an "everlasting covenant; ordered in all things, and sure." And the Author of salvation has inscribed upon him, "The same yesterday, today, and forever." The riches of God’s grace are ever full, unchanging, and eternal.

Application

1. Let the sinner be allured by the graciousness of the divine character. How can such goodness fail to lead the sinner to repentance?

2. Let the serious inquirer be encouraged to draw near to the throne. And,

3. Let the believer rejoice in the riches and unchangeableness of God’s grace.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS