SURROUNDED BY THE PROMISE OF GOD

If you have your Bible, turn with me to the first book, which we all know is GENESIS.  It has 50 chapters, 1,533 verses, and 38,267 words.

GENESIS 9:11-13   And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth.  (12)  And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations;  (13)  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.     

Genesis literally means “In the Beginning”.  Also it is called the “book of origins”, setting the stage for the rest of the Bible and revealing the nature of God.  The topic of this message, which comes out of Genesis, is titled “SURROUNDED BY THE  PROMISE OF GOD”.  

Now the Bible speaks of seven different covenants, four of which God made with the nation of Israel.  Then the other three covenants are made between God and mankind.

The one I’m going to be talking about is the Noahic Covenant.  Now this was an unconditional covenant between God and Noah.  After the Flood, God promised humanity that He would never again destroy all life on earth with a Flood, and God gave the rainbow as a sign of that covenant.

What is a covenant?  

1. It’s usually a contract, promise, pledge, bond or commitment.   

2. A written agreement or promise usually sealed between two or more parties especially for the

performance of some action.  This covenant is actually called a bilateral covenant because it’s

between two or more parties.

But the covenant that God made was a unilateral covenant, which means it was done without the agreement or participation of other people who might be affected.  In other words, God did this without any consideration of man and His will, and he did this without any consultation or negotiation with man.

This was not a mutual agreement.  God did this on his own account and on his own terms.  Hebrews 6:13  When God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.                                                                   

The “bow” was the symbol that God used to establish the covenant in Genesis Chapter 9, but he manifested the fulfillment of this covenant in Revelation 4:3 - the Rainbow.                           

The word “RAINBOW” only appears twice in scripture in Revelation 4:3 and Revelation 10:1, but I’m going to focus on Revelation 4:3  And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

And my question in this scripture is “Why is the rainbow around the throne?”  Well, first we have to find out what the throne is.  It’s a place of ruling authority, power and judgment.  And because of who God is, He’s a sovereign God; he is the “greatest”; he’s the chief; he’s the superior being; he’s the almighty; and he has total control of all things past, present and future.       

Now with all that, God still does not allow his power and authority to overstep the bounds of the covenant.  As a matter of fact, let me prove that with Moses in Exodus 32:7.  God wanted to destroy the Israelites because they had made a molten calf and were worshipping it.  Because of how Moses interceded for them, God couldn’t just overstep that because Moses was showing love, which is a fruit of the spirit.  Now let’s just say that if God had overstepped what Moses was doing, first, God would have broken the covenant.  Second, God would be a tyrant or an absolute ruler who governs without law and restrictions; an oppressor; cruel; harsh.  Third, that would put God’s VERY CHARACTER on the line.  Now do you understand why the rainbow is around the throne?

The throne of God is always regulated by the covenant.  There is respect at all times.  God’s absolute sovereignty never does violence to the covenant.  The Covenant still surrounds the Sovereignty and practically hedges it within its bounds!

As far as we are concerned, God is practically bound by His own Revelation of His own Character by being just, merciful, gracious, faithful, righteous, holy, and most of all LOVE.   And that’s why he couldn’t overstep Moses because Moses was showing and demonstrating Love.  

The rainbow represents God and his character.  It’s actually his GLORY or his SIGNATURE written out in all the colors of the rainbow.  Everything that we need is within the colors of the rainbow.  

For every “color” you see, there’s a “spirit, a “gift”, and a “name” of GOD that goes with it.   

• WHITE - which all the other colors come out of.  White is from the root word leukos', meaning "light", which God is according to 1 John 1:5 (God is light.)  St. John 4:24  God is a Spirit. All things came forth from God.

The spirit is righteousness.  Isaiah 11:3-4  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:  and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.  Revelation 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:  for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

The gift is unknown tongues.  1 Corinthians 12:10  Divers kinds of tongues.  1 Corinthians 14:2  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God:  for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  

The “name” Jehovah Tsidkenu meaning God our Righteousness.  Psalm 7:9  For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

RED -

The spirit is understanding.  Isaiah 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding.  Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing:  therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.

The gift is discerning of spirits.  1 Corinthians 12:10  Discerning of spirits.  1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The name is Jehovah: Jireh - meaning God will supply.  Genesis 22:14  And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.  Also it represents the blood of Jesus because it is the blood that cleanses us.  It was the blood that washed our sins away.  It symbolizes the blood that was applied to the door posts and the death angel passed by.  It was the blood that signed my name and your name so that we may have life and have it more abundantly.  Hebrews 9:22  Without shedding of blood is no remission.

ORANGE -

The spirit is counsel.  Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, … the spirit of counsel. Psalm 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.  Revelation 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich.

The gift is divers tongues and interpretation.  1 Corinthians 12:10  Interpretation of tongues;

1 Corinthians 14:5  I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied:  for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.  Verse 13  Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.  Verse 27  If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

The name is Jehovah Shalowm, meaning God our Peace.  Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusteth in thee.  The peace that God gives to you will guard your mind and will strengthen you.  He wants us to cast our cares on him because he cares so much for us so that we can weather any storm that comes our way.  1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

YELLOW -  

The spirit is Wisdom.  Isaiah 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom.

The gift is wisdom.  1 Corinthians 12:8  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom. Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.  James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  

The name is Jehovah Raah, meaning the Lord our Shepherd.  Psalm 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  And that’s why he is the Good Shepherd - to lead and guide us in the right directions.

GREEN -

The spirit is Knowledge.  Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, … the spirit of knowledge.

The gift is Knowledge.  1 Corinthians 12:8  To another the word of knowledge.  Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

The name is Jehovah Rapha, meaning God has healed.  2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  To all the cancer survivors who have stood before this congregation, did not God heal you?

BLUE -  

The spirit is might.  Isaiah 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, … the spirit of might.

The gift is miracles.  1 Corinthians 12:10  The working of miracles.  Acts 19:11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.  

The name is Jehovah Nissi, meaning the Lord our Banner.  Isaiah 59:19  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun.  When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Was it not God’s mighty hand who kept Pastor Robinson from the devil’s death trap??!!

PURPLE -  

The spirit is fear or reverence.  Isaiah 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, … the spirit of fear of the LORD.

The gift is Prophecy.  1 Corinthians 12:10  To another prophecy.  1 Corinthians 14:1-4  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  

The name is Jehovah Shammah, meaning God is present.  In each incident, God has always been present.  Hebrews 13:5  I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  I will never fail you; I will never walk off from you; I will never give up on you or relax my hold on you because God said “I’ve got you!!!!!  Through it all, I’ve got you!!!!”

And that’s a Good thing!!!!!!       

Now when you look at all the colors and what they mean, you realize that not only did God make a promise, but he also used that rainbow as protection for you.  There are 2 protection programs available to you: the "Federal witness program" and "God's witness program".

Let's take a look at how they differ:

Federal Witness Program - Relocates you to another place in certain instances.

God's Witness Program - Relocates you from darkness to light.  Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Federal Witness Program - Gives new identify

God's Witness Program - Makes you a new creature.  2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Federal Witness Program - Provides financial aid

God's Witness Program - Supplies all your needs according to his riches in glory.  Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Federal Witness Program - Must sever all ties.

God's Witness Program - Comes out from among them.  2 Corinthians 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you.

Federal Witness Program – Once you enter in, you cannot have any other contact with old acquaintances because you are subject to being killed.

God's Witness Program – You are expected to go back and testify and present evidence of what God has done and how He will protect you in the midst of your enemies, even in your trials, tribulations and storms.  Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  2 Timothy 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:  but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Why? Because he dwells on the inside of you.  He is the spirit within.                                                                                                                                          

Luke 17:20-21  The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

People, get a relationship with God.  Include him in your daily lives, reading and studying  his word.  So when the storms of life do come, you will be able to stand and see the rainbow after each storm.

~  Evangelist Shawnda Townsend