The claim that “the official rainbow” has seven colors cannot be substantiated-a rainbow has an infinite number of colors in a continuous spectrum. We use the seven colors as a helpful device to talk about the rainbow, but there is nothing in nature or Scripture that would demand a seven-fold division. Biv (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) doesn’t mean he is real. Just because a teacher introduced you to Roy G. We could just as easily have 9, 12, 18, or 144. But the keyword to describe the rainbow is spectrum.Ĭan you look at a rainbow and point to where the yellow ends and the green begins? Would any two people indicate the same dividing line? That helps to illustrate the fact that the seven colors we have traditionally assigned are arbitrary. The refraction causes the various colors of visible light to separate from one another, creating a spectrum of visible light that we know as a rainbow. As light from the sun passes through droplets of water suspended in the atmosphere, it’s bent (refracted) and bounces back (reflected) toward the source at an angle of 40–42° and then is refracted again. But what about the claim of seven colors? A rainbow forms as a result of the laws of nature that God imposed on his creation. The claim that “the official rainbow” is “the Lord’s creation” is one that we can accept as the rainbow is part of the physical world, all of which was created by God. As always, we should stop and consider such claims made to see if they match reality and the Bible (see figure 2).įigure 2: This likely well-meaning post on the Facebook page Basic Biblical Fatcs makes claims that should be examined carefully. As Christians seek to engage on this topic, particularly on social platforms, a particular biblical-sounding truth claim has become popular. Internet ClaimsĪs would be expected in today’s culture, this symbol of aberrant sexuality is used widely with badges, filters, overlays, and countless other variations. Homosexual activists expect everyone to toe the line of the sexual revolution many Christian churches have actually done so, flying the flag in support of this movement.
#Gay pride colors meaning free
This symbol is used around the world to indicate support for those promoting free expression and equality for everyone, regardless of their sexual identity. However, there are many variations intended to include the ever-increasing identities of people who shun God’s Word and let their feelings guide their actions. 1 The flag originally included eight stripes, but the most common version today consists of six colors. The rainbow flag was first developed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker and used as a symbol of pride for the gay community.
Their rainbow meaning is different from the original. Recently, the rainbow imagery has been used to remind people of another idea, but one that is from the mind of man and not the mind of God. Changing Colors and the Original Rainbow Meaningįigure 1: The original flag design created by Gilbert Baker to promote gay pride has eight stripes, while most versions today, like the one above, feature six. We know there will never be another globe-covering flood because our God has promised so. We can trust this covenant and the original rainbow meaning because God is faithful-his character cannot change. While this event occurred over 4,000 years ago, the covenant stands today. 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. . . This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
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. 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. . . 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, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. The timeless, expansive nature of this covenant is evident as God says to Noah, 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.
After the global flood, God set the rainbow in the sky as a sign that he would never again flood the whole earth ( Genesis 9:8–17). Of all the iconic symbols that God has given us, the rainbow stands as the most vibrant reminder of his faithfulness.