What is important to observe is that these men are looking at the beauty of the women and they are taking wives any of whom they chose. In Genesis 6 we read, “Now it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” Genesis 6 is describing the last 120 years before the destruction of the first world.Ĭommentators have for some time wrestled with the precise nature of the marital problem that Moses is describing in the days before the flood. When looking at the Biblical flood narrative we find that the issue of marriage becomes the defining moment of God’s revelation to Noah that he has determined to destroy the first world. For our purposes, it’s important to stress that Jesus specifically addresses the issue of marriage as having become so corrupt, that, just as these abuses ushered in the flood on the wicked of Noah’s day, so too, this same problem will usher forth the judgment on the world that now is. There were certain behaviors and practices that became so godless, namely eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, that Jesus says the behaviors accompanying these practices will precipitate the final judgment.
Jesus himself compared these two worlds by saying “as it was in the days of the Noah,” so it will be when the Son of Man returns (Matt 24:37). In this way, the first world was designed to be a didactic tool for the world that now is that we might not do the same things. A similar course of events transpire leading each one to its respective judgment. The line of demarcation is the flood event of Genesis 6–8. According to the Biblical writers, these two worlds parallel in their stories.
Biblical writers, when describing world history, typically designate the span of time into two epochs: the world that then was, and the world that now is (see 2 Peter 3). The story of the rainbow takes us back to the early days of Genesis. Do they know the greater history of the rainbow? Do people understand why God gave this beautiful bow in the sky? Do they have any idea what they are saying to the God who dwells “somewhere over” that rainbow? The True History of the Rainbow The accepted designation for each color of the rainbow is believed to have originated when a San Francisco artist, Gilbert Baker designed the gay pride flag as having six stripes, each one having its own meaning: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for art, and violet for the human spirit.Īs I watch people adopt the rainbow as a sign of victory for the gay rights movement, I find myself, as a Christian, deeply concerned over what these people are doing with the rainbow.
The rainbow was popularized as an official symbol of the gay community in the early 1970s. From Google to Starbucks to At&T, the rainbow has become the new flag for America, from sea to shining sea, America is now draped with the rainbow. Twitter has added a rainbow heart icon with the hash tag: Love wins. Facebook has declared a celebration allowing members to add a rainbow filter to their profile picture to make clear those who support the decision. Silicon Valley companies are implementing all sorts of creative ways to use the rainbow as a sign of victory for the decision. I’ve seen pictures of the White House painted with the colors of a rainbow.
Within the last twenty four hours, the rainbow has appeared everywhere. Within just a few hours, America itself seemed to be enveloped with the symbol of gay pride: the rainbow. In short order, President Obama unequivocally spoke of the decision as a victory for America. As soon as the announcement was made, gay and lesbian couples swarmed the streets with victory cries. This landmark opinion, as it’s being described, now opens the door for all gay and lesbian couples to have legally recognized marriages in all fifty states. This last Friday is already designated as one of the most historic victories in our nation’s history as a divided Supreme Court on Friday ruled that same-sex couples can now marry nationwide. It seems like a good time to think again about one of the central symbols adopted by the Gay Rights movement, the rainbow. This past weekend the city of San Diego celebrated Gay Pride Day, supported by tax-funded civil agencies announcing their support.