The rainbow was given to God's followers as a PROMISE. That promise was that he would never destroy the earth with water again. This promise is found in Genesis 9:8-17: Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud (rainbow), and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth." Whew... do you think he wanted to emphasize who this covenant was with?
So, what's my issue? My issue - the word issue seems a little mild - my outrage (much better) is that the Christian community has stood back and allowed the symbol given by God to remind us of His first promise to be used by the homosexual community to represent themselves. Think about it. What do you think of when you see a rainbow sticker on a car? You automatically think "that person must be gay". We've allowed ourselves to become afraid of using the rainbow for ourselves because of what the world will think. What's really said is that we have become so conditioned by the world that when we see a rainbow the first thing we think is that it represents homosexuality. NO! NO! NO! The first thing we should think is that represents God's promise. How sad....
I believe we as Christians should TAKE THE RAINBOW BACK. Let the homosexual community use a symbol that is offensive to God because that is what homosexuality is - it is offensive to God. Did you know that homosexuality is the only sin that God calls an abomination? That is because it goes against His created order. I don't understand the lax attitude toward homosexuality. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying these people should be stoned, harassed or even shunned. God still loves them and so should we. He just doesn't love the act.
Believe me, I know how far right this opinion is and I'm I'll stand right on the far right side edge. I believe I'll be standing right next to God. For those who have convinced themselves that this lifestyle is somehow OK, let me tell you what the Bible has to say about it. In Romans 1:18-28,32 the Bible speaks about man's unrighteousness and how he gives their minds over to depravity. I'll begin in verse 21 "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (vs 32) Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
I've said all of this to say this - I believe God is very disappointed in those who belong to Him because we have allowed His sacred symbol to become the symbol for something that He despises. So, how might we take the rainbow back? Honestly, I don't know other than speaking about it. Maybe someone could come up with a sticker / sign for our yards, cars, whatever else that is a rainbow with the words "TAKE BACK THE RAINBOW". At least it would cause people to ask what it means and you best be ready to answer! :-) 1 Peter 3:14 says "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
