A Historical and Spiritual Look at Banners
“Lift high the Lord your banner!” A choir swells the majestic anthem
as men and women enter the church sanctuary carrying ornate velvet and
satin banners bearing the phrases, “Hallelujah!” and “Rose of Sharon.” At
the front of the church hang two decorative banners: on one, a lion and a
lamb peacefully lie together; on the other, a cup spills over with wine.
It’s a familiar scene in churches around the world today. From Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Ghana, Africa, more and more congregations are using banners to center their focus on God. The banner designs change from church to church, but the message everywhere seems to be the same:
“We want to declare God’s praises! We want to honor Him by reflecting His beauty here on Earth.” As visual art, the banners we use in churches today echo symbols of God’s majesty and glory. They remind us of His attributes.
However, a look into the Bible reveals that banners are not a new
concept, and that they have offered more than mere decoration in worship.
Scripture is replete with references to banners and exciting scenarios in
which they were used. Some of them are detailed below, and all of them
have relevance today.
