The rainbow is a visible symbol to all of creation that God has made a promise and he has kept his promise.
Not a day goes by without the rainbow appearing somewhere in the sky.
God always keeps his promises.
Luke 17:26 tells us that at the time just before the return of Christ it will be like the days of Noah, people will be living as if God didn’t exist. As if it didn't matter what God said.
In the days of Noah, people were living as if it didn’t matter what God said or what God promised. They were doing what people do, eating, drinking, building, selling, planting, etc. and completely ignoring what God said he was going to do – send rain.
A few verses later, Luke 17:28 added that it was the same in the days of Lot. People were doing what they do, eating and drinking and such things and completely ignoring what God said.
In case you don’t remember the story, Lot was living in the city of Sodom just before God destroyed the entire city with fire and sulfur raining down from heaven.
Luke 17:29 says;
“It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”
The day the Lord returns will be when most people are completely ignoring God and his promises. Because of this, most people of the world will not be ready for him.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 says; “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”.
The day the Lord returns will be like a thief in the night, because most people will not be expecting him. Most people will not be watching for him or paying any attention to what he promised would happen.
But not everyone will be surprised when the Lord returns. Noah and Lot were very aware of what the Lord was going to do. In the same way, those that know the Lord today are watching for him and they see his return approaching as the scriptures point out the closing events.
Alive And Active
The rainbow is a visible symbol to all the earth that God is alive and active on earth, keeping his promise each day for thousands of years for everyone to see. His promise to return includes his promise to judge the world.
With his return approaching, this is a time to turn to him and repent. The only hope of restoring the world that is growing in wickedness is a God of justice. The world is craving for a God that is just to set things right. The world needs God who has the authority to hold everyone accountable and to separate the wicked from the righteous so that the righteous can live in peace.
This is exactly what He promised. He will return and will judge each one according to our deeds (1 Peter 1:17) and separate the righteous from the wicked (Matt 13:49) so they can live in peace.
Because of this, justice will be the hallmark of His Kingdom and He will be praised forever because of it.
“But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness.” – Isaiah 5:16
The rainbow is a visual reminder that he is faithful to his promises, therefore we who see the rainbow can act in boldness knowing that he is faithful to the promises that he has made.
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
His Return Is Near
One of the clearest indications of the Lords return is when the people of the world have no regard for God or his promises, like the days of Noah and Lot as mentioned in Luke 17.
What could be more telling than a global movement that openly boasts about their sin before God? What could be more like the days of Noah then when the world uses the symbol that God created as a daily reminding that he keeps his promises that they don't care?
On one hand I rejoice as the signs of the Lord's return come into view and on the other hand I am saddened by the number of people that will be swept away.
When I was young I used to think that I should focus on enjoying life because I have plenty of time to tell people about Christ, but as I study the events of this age I realize that is not the case.
I conclude with this; “Come to your senses and stop sinning” – 1 Cor. 15:34. “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other” – Isaiah 45:22