In Noah’s time, just after the earth-destroying flood, the rainbow is conspicuously present as God promises Noah and his family grace in the place of judgement. The rainbow is also on display when the Apostle John first looks in on the great scene of worship around God’s throne in the Revelation. Why the rainbow?
The rainbow teaches us many things about God’s creation. It is also a striking visual declaration of the omnipotence of our Creator. We see the beauty of Jesus in the many virtues that combine in one beautiful whole – as illustrated by the rainbow’s full spectrum of color. We also know that there are colors present that are beyond the (human’s) visible spectrum. Our mortal bodies have limits that keep us from seeing these color ranges. However, these colors still affect our lives in many ways. The power of infrared or ultraviolet light are not lost to us just because they are unseen. They are no less real. They are as potent in their effect (sometimes more so) as the visible ranges. Some studies suggest we see, perhaps, 100 million colors – a pittance when compared to the 10 billion colors available to pigeons and butterflies. Our hearts rejoice in the visible spectrum of colors, but one day “we will know as we are known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). We will see fully. We will rejoice at seeing the full spectrum of Jesus’ glory and beauty!