The (Double) Rainbow
Did you know the rainbow in the sky (after a rain) is really a double
rainbow? A Google search for double
rainbow will bring up some phenomenal pictures. The inner rainbow
is the brightest in color--it is ten times brighter than the outer rainbow.
Often, it is the only rainbow that is seen. The colors are blue through
red starting from the inside. The fainter, outer rainbow has the colors
reversed, that is, red through blue. The area between the two rainbows
reflects no light and appears dark in color. This dark area is called
Alexander's
band, after Alexander of Aphrodisias who first described it. The
area inside the inner rainbow reflects all colors and appears white
in color. A good explanation of the physics behind the double rainbow
is presented in this excellent 82-minute lecture by the MIT
professor, Walter Lewin. Isaac Newton was the first to describe
the physics behind the rainbow in his book, Opticks, published
in 1704.
As you know, the Bible mentions the rainbow in a number of contexts:
- Genesis 9 - After Noah's Flood
- Ezekiel 1 - Ezekiel's vision of God's throne
- Revelation 4 and 10 - John's vision of God's throne (Revelation
4) and the mighty angel (chapter 10)
In addition to the above, Ellen G. White also mentions the rainbow
in these contexts:
- "The rainbow of promise encircling the throne on high is an
everlasting testimony that 'God so loved the world that He gave His
only-begotten Son…'" (Desire of Ages, p. 493)
- A rainbow will be over the cloud at Christ's second coming (Early
Writings, p. 15)
- A rainbow will encircle the saints just prior to the second coming
(Great Controversy, p. 635)
- "In heaven the semblance of a rainbow encircles the throne
and overarches the head of Christ." (Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 107)
A couple of additional quotes on the last one are worth reading:
A rainbow is represented in Heaven round about the throne, also above
the head of Christ, as a symbol of God's mercy encompassing
the earth. When man, by his great wickedness, provokes the wrath
of God, Christ, man's intercessor, pleads for him, and points to the
rainbow in the cloud, as evidence of God's great mercy and compassion
for erring man; also the rainbow above the throne and upon his head,
emblematical of the glory and mercy from God resting there for the
benefit of repentant man. {The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1 (1870),
p. 78.1}
The rainbow above the throne is a token that God through Christ binds
himself to save all who believe in him. The covenant is as sure as
the throne, and his throne is established in righteousness. {The Signs
of the Times, October 10, 1892}
Spiritual interpretation
Given the above references, it can be said that the rainbow is an apt
symbol of the Father (the dim, outer rainbow) giving His Son (the bright,
inner rainbow) to the world. The matching red colors (inside the outer
rainbow and outside the inner rainbow) would then represent the plan
of redemption accomplished through blood. The dark area (Alexander's
band) between the two rainbows would represent the judgment or payment
for sin that Christ had to bear for us. The blue inside the inner rainbow
would represent Christ's fulfillment of the Law (note: it is believed
the Ten Commandments were written on blue sapphire). And the white area
inside the inner rainbow would represent Christ's righteousness offered
to mankind.
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