Topical Bible: The Earth: Not to be Again Inundated

◄ The Earth: Not to be Again Inundated ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The promise that the Earth will not be inundated again by a global flood is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of God's covenant with Noah. This assurance is rooted in the aftermath of the Great Flood, as recorded in the Book of Genesis.

The Covenant with Noah

Following the flood that covered the Earth, God established a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature. This covenant is a pivotal moment in the biblical account, signifying God's mercy and faithfulness. In Genesis 9:11 , God declares, "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

The Sign of the Rainbow

To seal this covenant, God provided a sign—the rainbow. The rainbow serves as a perpetual reminder of God's promise to humanity and all living creatures. Genesis 9:13-15 states, "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."

Theological Implications

The promise that the Earth will not be inundated again by a flood is not merely a historical or meteorological statement but carries profound theological implications. It underscores God's sovereignty over creation and His commitment to preserving it. This covenant reflects God's grace and His desire for a relationship with humanity, despite human sinfulness.

Symbolism and Assurance

The rainbow, as a symbol of this covenant, represents hope and assurance. It is a visual reminder of God's faithfulness and His unchanging nature. The promise not to flood the Earth again reassures believers of God's control over natural events and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

New Testament Reflections

While the New Testament does not explicitly reiterate the promise of no further global floods, it does reflect on God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 3:6-7 , refers to the flood as a past judgment while pointing to a future judgment by fire, emphasizing the certainty of God's word and the call to repentance.

Conclusion

The assurance that the Earth will not be inundated again by a global flood is a testament to God's covenantal faithfulness. It serves as a foundation for understanding God's relationship with creation and His ongoing commitment to humanity. The rainbow remains a powerful symbol of this promise, reminding believers of God's mercy and the hope of His eternal covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 9:11
And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 3:6,7
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Argument: Moreover, it is not at all to be Wondered at if this ...
... but we adopt the ancient and better custom of burying in the earth. ... their wintry
decay the shrubs resume their leaves, seeds do not flourish again. ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxxiv argument moreover it is.htm

Chapter xiv
... Sea, was in those days not yet inundated by the ... Critics again attempt to invalidate
the story by stating ... El Elyon, the Creator of heaven and earth, not to take ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Jesus Before Caiphas.
... overflowing, and they repeated over and over again the same ... in some particular part
of the earth, and who ... room behind the tribunal, which could not be seen ...
/.../chapter viii jesus before caiphas.htm

Of Nature, and of the World; and a Censure of the Stoics and ...
... the world, abandoned the first outer aspect [1301] of the earth, and plunged ... For
Lucretius, when he said that the world was not made by ... To say, again, that for ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii of nature and of.htm

The Power of the Holy Ghost
... come, and his will shall be done on earth even as ... We are not going to be dragging
on forever like Pharoah ... the sons and the daughters of God again shall prophesy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the power of the holy.htm

The Survival of the Fittest.
... they naturally came into contact again with the ... run, honor and virtue and righteousness
not only pay ... Is there geological evidence that the earth, during human ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study iv the survival of.htm

La Brea
... saw a beautiful object, which was seen again more than ... the path, an object curious
enough, if not beautiful. ... stem ran a little rib, seemingly of earth and dead ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Noah is a Figure of Christ, who Has Regenerated us by Water, and ...
... the first-born of every creature, became again the chief ... But the whole earth, as
the Scripture says, was inundated ... so that it is evident this was not spoken to ...
/.../chapter cxxxviii noah is a figure.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... to laws which even his will could not change. ... descended and receded, its greatest
distance from earth corresponding with ... It was again brought back to us by the ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... The same question has been asked again and again at the ... salvation of men, and to
encourage us not to faint ... the strongest hold of his empire on earth, without a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm