A Historical and Spiritual Look at Banners
(continued from page 2 )
Praise for the Battle Won
When Israelite soldiers went to war, banners played crucial roles,
helping the tribes to stay organized and serving as rallying points. Wherever
a banner was raised, troops could gather to strategize and be fortified before
continuing the battle. Moreover, as Kay Arthur notes in her book, To Know
Him by Name, banners were a symbol of courage and strength to the troops.
Similarly, imagine the thrill that must have swept through the worn
and wounded Allied soldiers during World War II when they spotted flags of
reinforcement troops. Think of the relief Saudi Arabians must have felt
during Desert Storm when they saw American or European flags on the
planes or tanks moving toward them. Modern nations associate strong
feelings of unity and courage with their national flags, especially in time of
war.
And when the Hebrews won their battles? The banners were raised
even higher as the people celebrated and shouted their praise and
thanksgiving to God for victory. David proclaimed, “We will shout for joy
when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God
[Psalm 20:5].” Likewise, Jeremiah charged in his prophecies, “Announce
and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep
nothing back but say, ‘Babylon will be captured; Bel will be put to shame,
Marduk filled with terror’! [Jeremiah 50:2]”
Today, the church uses banners in a spiritual battle. “For we struggle
not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places [Ephesians 6:12].” As soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy
2:3), we employ banners as we fight the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 4:7),
proclaiming that we are God’s people and declaring His victories. The
messages on the church’s banners shout encouraging truths, as well as
offering praise to the Lord for spiritual victories that are won every day. “I
will declare your name unto my brothers, in the midst of the church will I
sing praise to you [Hebrews 2:12].”