When I was in 5th grade, the Gideons still came into public schools to distribute personal New Testaments to any child who wanted a copy of God’s Word free of charge. I don’t remember anyone in my class declining the offer and we each went home that day with God’s Word in hand, imitation leather covers in all the colors of the rainbow. I remember one particularly energetic boy from my class running past me toward his waiting car with his Testament held above his head shouting “safe” as he ran. Even at the age of ten, a newly professing Christian recently baptized myself, I knew this was not true.
The enemy of God, of our souls, perverts every good and perfect gift that God has given when it is in his power to do so. He was unable to thwart the cross of Christ and he fumes still, prowling about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, (I Peter 5:8) knowing his time is short. Jesus’s victory over sin and death generously covers all who believe, trusting in faith on the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, promised Messiah, Savior, Lord and King. The Bible is not and never has been an insurance policy. The Old and New Testaments are the living Word of God meant to illuminate the Way to salvation and a life of faith. Inerrant in its content, breathed by God and recorded by man, it has stood the test of time, unaltered and indestructible. The stories recorded within its pages make up an incomplete history of God’s presence with man. John said that if everything Jesus did during his ministry of barely three years was recorded, the world would not be able to contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25) Still, there is sufficient evidence of God’s interaction with and intervention on behalf of His creation in this living and active Word to bring to faith all who would believe.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV
https://deuteronomy.bible/deuteronomy-29-29
“But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”
1 Corinthians 2:10-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.2.10-11.NLT
The Bible records how God chose to enter into covenant with His creation throughout history and He is able to keep the promises He issued to the full extent of their meaning. He has fulfilled every word He has ever spoken and He will bring about every prophecy, judgement, and reward He has promised. I have full confidence in His Word. I trust fully in the new covenant in His blood. (Luke 22:20)
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.1.6.NLT
“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.20.NLT
The evening thunderstorms of late have been a relief from the sweltering summer temperatures here in the south. The rainbows we witness in the sky following these storms or showers still confirm God’s covenant with Noah, his sons, and all generations to come.
“Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.” Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.””
Genesis 9:11-17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.9.11-17.NLT
“Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.” God’s specific promise extends to our generation and beyond, but it is just that- a specific promise. God even says it will be a reminder to Himself. “When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” God’s enemy has once again perverted His promise exactly as he did in the wilderness when Jesus was tempted. He has taken Scripture, God’s own Word, and removed the context, seeking to use it for his own diabolical purposes. The Living Word, as John refers to Jesus, was not deceived. Neither should we be. Just like the Bible in the hands of a ten year old boy did not make him “safe” from eternal judgement, so the rainbow, a symbol of God’s specific promise not to destroy the earth with floodwaters again is not an insurance policy against destruction and judgement.
Jesus is coming back just as He promised. God will judge the earth just as He promised. He has made every preparation for our readiness and made it freely available to us by giving His Son, His Word, and His Holy Spirit. The analogy I used with fifth graders in Sunday School when my own children were that age is still the best way I know to describe this simple to grasp concept. Every country has laws that it’s citizens and visitors are expected to follow. Breaking a law has consequences. Suppose you arrive in a country without knowing the language or the legal system. If you are caught breaking a law, will you be pardoned simply because you did not know it was a law? The obvious answer is no. The consequences of breaking a law apply to you even if you did not know the law. The law is a written code and it is made publicly available. God’s Word is more readily available today than at any other time in history and many organizations have made it their mission to translate and bring the Living Word to the remaining unreached people groups in our lifetime. Ignorance is no excuse. If you plan to travel in another country, do you not research it, learn its customs, traditions, language and laws, or at least attach yourself to someone who does? Jesus is that One! He reigns over an eternal kingdom. We are eternal beings and this life is only temporary. It just makes sense to be prepared. Embracing His Word by faith in His Son is all God requires. (John 6:29)
“It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT
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