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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"What The Rainbow Says"

Jarrod Jacobs

In Genesis 9:8-17, we read of God's promise to Noah and his family after the Flood. Noah and his family had just come off the ark and had offered sacrifices to God (Gen. 7:2-3, 8:18-21). God then says that He will not destroy the earth by water again (Gen. 8:21-22) and is going to establish a covenant to this effect with Noah, his family, and all the animals (Gen. 9:9-11). God then says that they can know His promise is true because he will "set" His "bow in the cloud" (Gen. 9:13).

After a rainstorm, a rainbow can be seen in the clouds even today. When we see it, we need to remember God's promise. But, the rainbow not only stands for a promise God has made, it also says a number of things to us today. What does the rainbow say?

God Has The Power To Destroy The World.

Seeing that God has the power to create, He also has the power to destroy (In Genesis 9, God was promising that He was NOT going to destroy the earth by water any more)! Genesis chapters 1 and 2 record God creating this world and all things that are in it, both visible and invisible (Rom. 1:20). Just a few chapters later, we read of God deciding that His creation was so wicked and corrupt that He would destroy mankind from off the earth (Gen. 6:5-7, 13). In the Bible, God is declared as being Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient (Amos 4:13). In fact, one of the Hebrew names for God is "El Shaddai" which means "God Almighty." The Bible teaches, "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth." (Isa. 40:25-26). There is none that can compare with God, and no man is His equal! God has the power to destroy this world, and the rainbow declares this!

God Keeps His Word.

When God promised to destroy the earth by water, He did it (Gen. 6:13, 17, 7:21-23). In Genesis 9:16, we learn that God promised never to do it again -- and He's kept that promise, too! Why mention this? Because if we can understand that God has kept His promise to those throughout history, we can know that God will keep His promises today. God has promised to save those who come to him in faith and obedience (Mk. 16:16). God has promised a home in Heaven for the faithful (Jn. 14:1-4; Rev. 22:14). He has also promised death and destruction to those who are disobedient (II Thess. 1:6-9). We know that He will keep these promises! "God is not slack concerning His promise..." (II Pet. 3:9) and the rainbow tells us this!

God Is Alive.

Some deny the existence of God. However, when looking at the rainbow, we see that God is! David said, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork" (Ps. 19:1). Psalm 90:1-2 declares, "LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." Looking to the New Testament, Paul spoke of "The living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein" to the people of Lystra (Acts 14:8-18). Let us never forget about the living God who is the Father of us all!

God Is In Control Of This World.

When God declared that the waters would destroy the earth, they did just that (Gen. 6:13, 17)! When God then said that it would not happen again, it hasn't! Genesis chapters 7 through 9 deal extensively with this world-wide flood that occurred. While we understand that God made this world and set in motion the laws of nature, we must remember that God, as Creator and Sustainer of us all, can intervene anytime He pleases! God is in absolute control of things! He has determined where man will live and for how long! (Psalm 90:10; Acts 17:25-26). God gives to all life, and breath and ALL things!! Let us never forget this. God is still in control!!

God Punishes Sin.

The rainbow says that God will not allow people to act as they please without consequences. God will punish the wicked and reward the righteous. Paul knew this and taught the Romans this truth (Rom. 11:22). David also understood that the end of the wicked was destruction and desolation; while the righteous would draw near to God (Psalm 73; Jas. 4:8). Solomon stated that the "whole duty" of man is to "fear God and keep His commandments" (Ecc. 12:13-14). We must not be deceived, but realize that we will reap what we sow, and will stand before God in judgment to give an account of our lives. The righteous will enter into Heaven, while the unrighteous will be cast into a Devil's Hell (Gal. 6:7; II Cor. 5:10).

Yes friends, God will punish the sinner! This is why I must make sure I am right with God and am pleasing Him while I have the time and opportunity to do so (II Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8). Let us all be like Noah (Gen. 6:22)!!

God Delivers The Righteous.

Just as God will punish the sinner, God will deliver the righteous. When we consider Noah and his family again, we see that they were saved physically by the water (II Pet. 3:20), and in like manner God will take care of His righteous people today. God has promised physical blessings to His people. One such promise is that they will not be in want if they do as He says and put first things first (Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:25). God has also promised spiritual blessings and rest to those who are faithful to Him. Christ promised prepared mansions for His people (Jn. 14:1-4), and the Hebrew writer spoke of "rest" to the people of God (Heb. 4:1-11). Peter said the inheritance God promises is "incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (I Pet. 1:4). Yes, God knows how to take care of His children as well as punish the wicked! The rainbow from long ago declares this simple truth for all ages!

God Will Destroy The Earth.

The rainbow says that one day God will destroy this world. However, it won't be with water (Gen. 9:13-16)! The next time God destroys this world, it will be with fire! Paul writes, "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." (II Thess. 1:6-10). This passage shows us that God will destroy the earth, but next time, with fire! You see, God keeps His promises, and He will not destroy this world by water ever again -- the rainbow declares this!!

Conclusion

Are you prepared for Christ's coming? I hope so. Preparation begins by hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17), believing that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), repenting of your sins (Lk. 13:3), confessing your faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32-33), and being baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16). Too many think that after they are baptized they have completely fulfilled their obligations to God. Not so!! This is only the beginning of my life of preparation for Heaven (I Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10)! The rainbow was set in the heavens to remind and prepare people, and I must not forget it!

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