Rainbow - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Rainbow
[ 1,,G2463, iris ]whence Eng., iris," the flower, describes the "rainbow" seen in the heavenly vision, "round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon," Revelation 4:3, emblematic of the fact that, in the exercise of God's absolute sovereignty and perfect counsels, He will remember His covenant concerning the earth (Genesis 9:9-Genesis 9:17); in Revelation 10:1, "the rainbow," RV, the definite article suggests a connection with the scene in Revelation 4:3; here it rests upon the head of an angel who declares that "there shall be delay no longer" (Revelation 4:6, RV marg., the actual meaning); the mercy to be shown to the earth must be preceded by the execution of Divine judgments upon the nations who defy God and His Christ. Cp. Ezekiel 1:28.