March 8, 2002

I was singing under my breath and looking out the airplane window -- there the island of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands approached in the distance to my left.  I meditated about what the Lord would have me minister while there… and then, I saw this sight:

The clear shadow of the airplane moved along beneath us -- reflecting upon the ocean. I watched as the shape of the airplane danced across the waters. This airplane image clearly appeared to be a cross that was suddenly encircled by a large vivid rainbow.  I motioned to the person next to me on the plane to take a look at this cross totally enclosed by concentric circles of color speeding forward upon the emerald sea.

Never having seen a totally round rainbow, my attention fastened upon this display.  I began to remember the covenantal promises of Genesis. Then suddenly, huge lightening bolts of bright streaks sparked from the center of the cross upward toward my window.  On and off again the breathtaking bolts and flashes of light emanated from the cross and rocketed high into the air.

Breathlessly, I sensed the Lord to say, “Behold, I am doing a new thing. My presence is manifestly approaching in a new way.”

This display brings to mind the only mention of a circular rainbow in the Bible. It was what John saw on another ISLAND -- called Patmos,(Rev 4:2-3) “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne (stately seat of governmental power) was standing (literally outstretched) in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a JASPER stone and a SARDIUS in appearance; and there was a RAINBOW AROUND (circled as a ring around) the throne, like an EMERALD in appearance” NAS.

Jesus sits on a THRONE that was like JASPER AND SARDIUS IN APPEARANCE. The sardis and the jasper stones were the FIRST and the LAST stones on the breastplate of the high priest (Ex 28:17,20); the eternal priesthood is fulfilled in Christ Who sits (with us on His right hand) upon the throne of power. Jasper also speaks of the light and glory of the heavenly city (Rev. 21:11-12) and the first foundation and the walls of the New Jerusalem (18 -19). Here in Rev. 4:3, centered within the rainbow, we see the picture of the Lord’s priestly government within the Heavenly City (Zion).

RAINBOWS are emblematic of the fact that, in the implementation of God's absolute sovereignty and perfect guidance, He will remember His covenant concerning His creation. Ezekiel also saw an uncharacteristic rainbow(1:27-28), “Like the appearance of a RAINBOW in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, AND I HEARD A VOICE OF ONE SPEAKING” NKJV. It was within this vision, that Ezekiel received his mandate for ministry.

Interestingly, the New Testament word for rainbow is “iris” from NT:2036; which is perhaps identical in meaning with NT:4482 which presents the idea of pouring forth in utterance and speech. To SAY.  And so it is that once again from within the rainbow, the Lord SPEAKS forth that familiar mandate to the islands and coastlands. It’s their assignment to usher in the manifested expansion of His dimensional presence upon the earth. 

He SAYS, “Behold I am doing a brand new thing. It is all new this very day. Will you perceive it and know that it is true? Will you apprehend what I say? I’m making a NEW way to provide water in desert places and give drink (living water) to my people. These very people have I formed for myself that they might proclaim my praise” (Tehillah denotes deeds, abilities, or glorious attributes about which God must be publicly lauded). "For the ISLANDS and coastlands shall SHOW FORTH my praise.” (SHOW FORTH “nagad” = to demonstrate, to stand boldly out opposite from others; to explain -- always by use of the mouth) God’s praise. In other words, certain ones will show us how to do it.

“Sing unto Me a new song!” 

All through time, people of faith “sang a new song” when they understood or perceived another aspect of God’s character. Singing a new song isn’t just another four chords with new rhythmic and catchy lyrics. It’s Who Jehovah (the Ever-revealing God) has revealed Himself to be. After Miriam sang, the swarming mass of Israelites stepped upon dry ground and began to arrange themselves into tribes with order and function. David even sang his petitions.

Every day, we can “Sing a new song.” Everyday. Everyday, we’re supposed to increase our understanding of God’s truth and upgrade our reality into new levels of glory. A “new song” is birthed out of learning a better way to live – it tells of “what” happens when we obtain deliverance from old ways. It describes our unshackling. It declares “who” we perceive ourselves to be and “how” we overcome all obstacles. New songs give direction to those of us who (like Abraham) seek the New City.

“Sing from the ends of the earth,” As continuing truths are grasped, our songs release our understanding to others around the world. We begin to look like the One we sing about. His character is reproduced in us. Our passion ignites others to sing with us.

“Proclaim my praise and I WILL MARCH OUT LIKE A MIGHTY MAN, like a warrior, I will stir up My zeal. With a shout, I will raise the battle cry and will triumph over the enemy”  “New songs” discharge the true purposes of God’s plans. Songs communicate His perceptions and views of LIFE... Songs proclaim the victory of the finished work.

When God hears these kinds of “new songs,” He says, "For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant… (the time to give birth is NOW here, the labor is over. It’s time to come forth) … I will lead and guide the blind by unknown ways, along unfamiliar paths;” New songs unleash prophetic direction  -- guidance as to where we are really going tomorrow. “I will turn the darkness into light and make the rough places smooth… and I will not forsake you” (Isa 43:19-21, 42:10-16). “New songs” bring emancipation from dead (religious) places and usher rivers of quickened newness. 

Sing oh people! Rainbows speak of God’s covenants that were all intended to bring humanity back to His original purposes in creation. Sing because the Body of Christ is manifesting God’s likeness. Therefore, His government can advance upon this earth – with new structure and new definement. Sing! For the breastplate of His priestly ministry -- from beginning to end (jasper and sardius) – comes to rest upon the shoulders of His people who are His priests. Sing! Because the reality of that heavenly city begins to appear upon the revelation of WHO we say that He is (Matt. 16:15-18) -- and who we are in Him (Eph. 1-4).