NOTES ON THE PROMISE: FROM WRATH TO RAINBOWS STRUCK ‘CROSS THE WHOLE OF THE EARTH IN THE LAST DAYS – (WITH VIDEO)

1. THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “And God said, ‘This is the TOKEN (‘oth’ [אֽוֹת־] ‘visible symbol, omen, miracle, sign, memorial’) of the [solemn] covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations;I set My rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.

It shall come about, when I bring clouds over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the clouds,and I WILL [compassionately] REMEMBER MY COVENANT, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again will the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the rainbow is in the clouds and I look at it, I will [solemnly] remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’” – GENESIS 9:12-16

KEY TERM: “REMEMBER.” ‘Zakar’ [וְזָכַרְתִּ֣י]: “To Mark (so as to be recognized); to mention [conspicuously]; to recall and thereby make [fully] known by a Memorial Sign.” NOTE: “זָכַר (‘zākar’) fundamentally conveys ‘Actively Remembering’ – calling to mind, making mention, or bringing to active awareness. ‘In Scripture the verb extends beyond cognitive recall; it often includes intentional ACTION in response to what is remembered.’”

QUOTATION. “When I look back over every struggle, heartache, disappointment, failure, and moment of fear, I recognize that God has been with me through it all. And I know that He will continue to be with me. There is no promise in Scripture that our lives will be free from pain or that everything will always go smoothly. But there is THE PROMISE that He is always with us, even in the darkest storms of our lives. We can find some peace in the middle of the hardest experiences because He is there in the middle of the storm. I can’t imagine living my life without the Truth of that Promise.” ― RYAN STEVENSON, Eye of the Storm: Experiencing God When You Can’t See Him, 2020; edited

“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I AM WITH YOU; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” – ISAIAH 41:10, AMPC

COMMENTARY. “‘As the Old World was ruined to be a Monument of Justice, so This World remains to this day a Monument of Mercy. But Sin, that drowned the Old World, will burn This.’ Articles of agreement among men are sealed, that what is promised may be the more solemn, and the doing of what is Covenanted the more sure to mutual satisfaction.

‘The Seal of this Covenant was THE RAINBOW,’ which, it is likely, was seen in the clouds before, but was never a seal of the covenant till now it was made so. ‘The Rainbow appears when we have most reason to fear the Rain prevailing; God then shows this Seal of The Promise, that it shall not prevail! The thicker the cloud, the brighter the Bow in the cloud.’ Thus, as threatening afflictions abound, encouraging consolations much more abound. The Rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun shining upon or through the drops of rain: ‘All the glory of the Seals of the Covenant are derived from Christ, the Sun of righteousness. And He will shed a glory on the tears of His saints’ …

As God looks upon The Bow, that ‘HE Remembers The Covenant, so should WE, that we may be mindful of The Covenant with Faith and Thankfulness. ‘Without Revelation this Gracious Assurance could not be known; and without Faith it can be of no use to us; and thus, it is as to the still greater Dangers to which all are exposed, and as to the New Covenant with its blessings.’” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6vols., 1708-1710; edited

II. BACKGROUND

There is not a single, thoughtful human being on this planet who does not give some deeply concerned thought to the current ‘Spiritual, Political and Geographical Crisis’ that we are currently experiencing. I almost inserted an exception to this sweeping claim related to the White Evangelical American Church, but even they are squirming at least” a bit these days.

The more discerning residents of the United States are beginning to grasp of the many possible False Presuppositions associated with what I shall for now call, “THE AMERICAN MYTHOS,”nicely summarized by an AI Overview (ret. May 14, 2026; edited).

• OPEN. The ‘American Myth’ is a foundational, often paradoxical, Narrative of National Identity. It centers on the belief that the United States is a special, positive nation built on freedom, individual achievement, and progress, frequently framing the conquest of nature and Frontier Expansion as a necessary “Manifest Destiny”[viz. an Americanized ‘Law of Possession’ presumption].

• THE FRONTIER. The Idea that ‘American character and economic growth’ were forged through the heroic, often violent, conquest of the wilderness and settlement of the land.

• THE SELF-MADE MAN. The Belief that ‘Anyone,’ regardless of background, can achieve wealth and greatness through personal effort, hard work, and self-sacrifice.

• THE PROMISED LAND. The Belief that America is a land of unmatched opportunity, providing a “New Start” for individuals.

• THE FOUNDING. A Focus on the ‘Revolutionary, Enlightened Principles’ of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, often ignoring contradictions like Slavery or the forced removal of Indigenous peoples.

• THE MELTING POT. The Belief that disparate cultures, races, and ethnicities seamlessly ‘Blend Together’ into a unified, harmonious American identity.

• THE GOOD WAR. The Narrative that America always plays the role of a ‘Righteous, Noble Actor,’ particularly in major 20th-century conflicts.

• AMERICAN IDENTITY. These stories are largely derived from the experiences of Early Colonists and Settlers, evolving over time into a Core Belief System that shapes ‘Political and Cultural Identity’ in the United States.

• A CHRISTIAN NATION. Whether America is a ‘Christian Nation’ is a contested, evolving debate rather than a settled fact, balancing historical Christian influence against a Secular Constitutional framework. While many Founders held Christian beliefs, the U.S. Government was explicitly designed without an official Religion, though cultural, historical, and legal debates often position the country as having a Christian Heritage.

THEN CAME TRUMP. For most of those same thoughtful Americans, the Rise of Donald Trump to the National Scene in 2016 was to become, to use the Flood terminology, the Highwater Mark, or “Strandline,” of National Identity in our entire history. It is as if he became The Prism through which we could for the first time, truly ‘See’ who we truly are, who we have been in the past, and, therefore, who we shall inexorably become in the days ahead.

In a personal Commentary on this Grand Reveal of American Identity writing for Politico Magazine is Black journalist with the Sun News in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ISAAC BAILEY.

Here are some of his insightful thoughts from an essay titled, “How Trump Exposed America’s White Identity Crisis” (Aug. 22, 2016). It is vital that we appreciate the Prophetic Vision that his monograph brings to this present moment ten years later, in 2026.

“I am a black man living in South Carolina who’s voted for plenty of Republicans, including George W. Bush in 2000, Mark Sanford twice for governor, Lindsey Graham for the U.S. Senate, and current Gov. Nikki Haley in the GOP primary. I’ve also defended the Party in the past from blanket accusations of racism. ‘But DONALD TRUMP is a different kind of candidate, and this is a different kind of election. Long after it is all over, even if Hillary Clinton wins, the rest of us will still be grappling with the racial demons the Republican candidate summoned up with his campaign.’

That’s the Tragedy and Blessing of Trump’s Rise to the top of the Republican Party. He brought into the Mainstream the kind of ‘Race Hatred’ that had flourished only in the shadows before he came along. But his presence also ‘Removed the Scales’ from the eyes of Sane Americans who had held onto the belief that the election of our first Black President had ushered in a Post-Racial Society.

‘Trump’s most Enduring Legacy, and it is an oddly beneficent one, is that he taught America how Bigoted it still is, and that many among us who are not intentionally bigoted are willing to TOLERATE Racism anyway, given the right circumstances and stakes.’ No matter the final tally, nor the recent poll data showing that Trump is beginning to lose college-educated whites, it is very likely that a majority of White voters in November will still pull the lever for Trump, despite a clear Bigotry running through much of what he’s said, done and proposed …

Trump’s presence on the National Stage, while damaging in so many ways, is providing the MIRROR this country long ago needed to look into. If we are willing to accept the gift He’s provided—and refuse to look away—we can take another giant step toward perfecting a still Great Nation.”

THE QUESTION. It is painfully asked, ten years out from this exquisitely insightful essay: “So, how we doing, America? As our lawyer friends would say it in the midst of an intense discovery session as a matter of law:

“Asked and Answered.” Selah.

III. BEFORE THE DELUGE

As the insufferable Polemicist that I so often am, please bear with me as I construct the second part of my argument in this section through a wonderful analysis by DR. MATTHEW CASTRO of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Evansville, Indiana. The title of his piece, “What Was the World Like Before the Flood?” (Evansville Church, Nov. 2, 2021; edited).

My Logic in taking the approach is not very complicated: ‘IF the Great Deluge Judgment was inspired by conditions on the Earth prior to it, then it will serve us well to know some of the details of that Antediluvian World. To discover, if you will, any PARALELLS to that Era and our Era today.’

• OPEN. “The Antediluvian Period or the period from the Creation of the world to the Global Flood is demonstrated in the Bible in Genesis 1-6. We know that God created the Universe in six days and rested on the seventh day. He created Man and Woman in His image on the sixth day. The Account by Moses of the Period becomes more specific when we are given the names, geography, and actions of the first person in history. God names the man, Adam, and places him in a ‘Garden formed by God called Eden,’ which is in the East. Moses provides some more geographical clues to Eden, as a Garden surrounded by four rivers. The first is the Pishon, which is connected to the Land of Havilah. The second river is Gihon, which flowed around the whole Land of Cush. The third river is the Tigris, which flows East of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. Therefore, we can deduce a guess to the general area of Eden, which may have been around: ‘Modern-day Iraq and Iran.’”

• NOAH. “Before Noah and his family, the world was probably around 4 billion people with large metropolises with metal tools and music. Jesus even told us in Luke 17 about Noah’s Day, ‘They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the when Noah entered the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all’ [v. 27]. They lived similar lives as you and I today. However, what is also true then as today, is the ‘Sinfulness of the World.’”

• JUDGMENT. “‘God declared to Noah that he was going to judge humanity with a global flood (Gen. 6:17), because they were CORRUPT IN EVERY WAY.’ God was going to show Grace on Noah and his family alone [only 8 people our of 4 billion]. God informed Noah to build an ARK that would be able to store Noah’s family and two of every kind of life breathing animal. The rest of the world was left to be judged by God. We have to consider this Judgement by God in context. This is not Sodom and Gomorrah, the Canaanite invasion, or another isolated judgement of God. God destroys 4 billion people and 1,600 years of architecture, arts, and technology with One Flood. God said to Moses, ‘I have determined to make an end of ALL flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth’ (Gen. 6:13). God did what He Promised. He used flood waters to wipe clean the World’s Corruption. ‘NOAH AND HIS FAMILY ALONE were Redeemed from the Wrath of God on sin!’”

• HARBINGER. “‘While God Promised with the Rainbow never to judge the world again with a Flood of Water, ANOTHER GLOBAL JUDGMENT is drawing near.’ The world dismisses the Global Flood as no more than a child’s tale of a big boat with cute animals. The Judgment of God is tamed by the world as the inappropriate emotions of a evil fictional god for ignorant fools. However, the God Who created the world and everything in it including humanity, is Holy and Undefiled. ‘Humanity is Rotten to the Core! EVERYONE in the World deserves the Full Wrath of God, which was put on full display with The Flood.’”

• ESCHATON. “When you consider the Historical Reality that God Judged the entire World during the Antediluvian Period, then the possibility of ‘Another Judgment’ on the whole World full of people and cities and technologies becomes more real. John wrote in Revelation 19:15, ‘From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to stoke down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” ‘All flesh will be slain. ALL will be judged again!’ Civilizations with people, architecture, arts, and technologies will be destroyed once again. ‘The only Way of “ESCAPE” is not a great boat, but the God-Man, Jesus Christ. By Faith in Christ Jesus alone, you will “ESCAPE” the Wrath of God.’”

DK. I have spent the last 5-6 years documenting that THIS LAST DAYS ERA is experiencing a World, and an America, shot through down to their very Foundations with every Abomination imaginable. Even transcending “The Days of Noah and the Days of Lot” (Luke 17:26-30).

Requiring the most Destructive Judgment in the entire History of Mankind. But God has NOT left us hopeless.

IV. OUR BLESSED HOPE

“But KEEP ALERT at all times [‘be attentive and ready’], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to ESCAPE all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming] …

I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name … Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will KEEP YOU [SAFE] from the hour of trial, THAT HOUR  which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.” – LUKE 21:36; REVELATION 3:8,10, AMP

THE TWO-FOLD PROMISE. Based upon all that I have read for over 40 years, this is my best defense of the PRE-WRATH POSITION: That is, True Followers of Christ are: “Not appointed to [God’s] Wrath” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Clear as God’s Divine Bell for me, beloved.

However, as I have argued previously, We are fully appointed to Satan’s Wrath rolled out as “The Birth Pangs” leading up to God’s New Order (cf. Matthew 24:1-13; Revelation 6:1-11). No free passes from those First Five Seals – Antichrist, Wars, Famine, Pestilence, Martyrdom.

• “ESCAPE.” ‘Ekpheugó’ [ἐκφυγεῖν]: “To vanish, flee away or out of; to completely avoid; passed out of without harm.” NOTE: “The verb translated ‘Escape’ in the eight New Testament occurrences communicates a decisive, often: Miraculous Deliverance FROM danger or judgment’ … Each context highlights the absolute necessity of God’s Intervention or Obedience to His Word for true escape.”

• “KEEP YOU SAFE.” ‘Téreó’ [ἐτήρησας]: “To guard from loss or injury; by keeping the eye upon; a prophecy [or promise] to be fulfilled by Divine Command.” NOTE: “Strong’s Greek 5083 appears seventy-one times, weaving together two main spheres: (1) Active Loyalty—Believers ‘keep’what God has revealed; (2) Protective Custody—God or human authorities ‘keep’ persons or things under guard. The contexts range from intimate discipleship in the Gospels and Epistles to Cosmic Judgment scenes in Revelation, showing a seamless Biblical Theology of Covenant Faithfulness and Divine Preservation.”

THE RAINBOW HOPE. “‘The Rainbow is Precious.’ It’s a symbol of what theologians call ‘God’s Common Grace’ – the Grace He shows to all people saved and unsaved alike. With the Rainbow God Promised to restrain His Wrath. He Promised never again to visit destruction on the earth in the same way. ‘Judgement was Delayed, for Noah, his descendants, and for the rest of Creation.’ God would continue to provide rain and sun. He would provide seasons and harvest. Land could be worked, crops could be grown.

‘It also provided an Opportunity’ – a Day of Grace. In Delaying Judgement, God has provided the opportunity for the Gospel to be proclaimed to every tribe and nation. An opportunity for every man, woman, boy and girl to recognise their Creator. The Rainbow reminds us how our Heavenly Father is prepared to restrain his anger against sin, and deal with it through his Son Jesus Christ. God not only Delayed His Judgement, but provided a Way of Salvation for us.

‘So, THE RAINBOW [HOPE] is not merely a Symbol. It’s not simply part of an Ancient Story. It is a living example of God’s Faithfulness. It is an Assurance that God has not forgotten us and that He continues to work in this world.” – Editors, “The True Meaning of the Rainbow,”The Christian Institute, Feb. 17, 2020; edited

CODA. Beloved, my Final Word to you today is that no matter the trials that await us, hear me now – We are not nor ever shall be alone in them! I recall a Word I clearly heard from that Voice that is not a voice recently as I voiced my concern should I face a real, physical challenge in the form of a physical persecution of some sort. Here is what I heard, word for word:

“Son have I ever left you without My Presence in your past trials? Then why, at your most desperate moment, would I not be there for you all the more? I tell you, I shall flood you with My Spirit at such a time.”

Which reminds me of the indelible story of STEPHEN THE MARTYR.

[ADDRESSING THE SANHEDRIN] “‘You stiff-necked and stubborn people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. You are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained and delivered to you by angels, and yet you did not obey it!’

Now when they heard this [accusation and understood its implication], they were cut to the heart, and they began grinding their teeth [in rage] at him.But he, being full of the Holy Spirit and led by Him, gazed into heaven and SAW THE GLORY [the great splendor and majesty] of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened up [in welcome] and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ 

But they shouted with loud voices, and covered their ears and together rushed at him [considering him guilty of blasphemy]. Then they drove him out of the city and began stoning him; and the witnesses placed their outer robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They continued stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!” 

Then falling on his knees [in worship], he cried out loudly, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them [do not charge them]!’ When he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].” – ACTS 7:51-60, AMP

Note: See the link below for a superb Video Dramatization of part of this epic moment.

Therefore, whether by Resurrection at the Great Catching Away, or by Martyrdom suffused in God’s Presence, beloved, we are encased deep inside CHRIST’S STUPENDOUS HOPE for all our days. And, all the more so, for the Days of Trial ahead.

Our only part, and not a small one, is that we REMAIN TRUE to the One who has called us for such a time as this. And all the very rest of it is indeed up to Him.

Selah.

MEDIA

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/0ilqYkeDwSM