Worship & Warfare Banners
In that day, the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will rally to him and His place of rest will be glorious. Banners and flags are used to identify groups like military, sporting or national groups. They have colours and symbols that speak of the group’s origins, beliefs or aspirations. They are raised, carried or waved demonstrating unity, as a rallying point, or proclaiming news to people or their enemies such as victory or defeat, births or deaths. They can symbolize resistance and defiance. They always communicate a message. God directed Israel at the time of their exodus from slavery, that each man, family and tribe has his own banner. It was used to identify different groups and brought God’s order to the community of Israel as they journeyed together and fought their enemies. The Bible often makes reference to banners as a message from God about what He was doing, and declaring His intentions as in Isaiah 11: 10,12. He has been stirring up His People again to understand and use banners in ways we have been previously unaware of. As we listen to Him, He is speaking through the medium of banners just as He does through words, song, instruments and peoples’ actions. As with other ways of communicating, God speaks to and through our minds as well as to and through our spirits. Music is heard through our ears and communicates to our hearts and minds. Banners communicate through our eyes and ears, our sense of touch and movement, speaking truths to hearts and minds. As with music, people have an innate ability to interpret, comprehend and be moved by what is being communicated, while understanding can also be released and enhanced by having a greater knowledge of the medium as a means of communication. As a beginning point in understanding the message inherent in the use of banners, start with the colours and visual symbols on the banners. What do you associate certain colours with?... green for life and growth?.... red for warning, fire, anger, war, blood?.... blue for water, sky, peace…. darker shades for depth, lighter shades for shallow…. gold for the sun, glory, riches? Colour has a language of its own and speaks without words. Symbols also speak without words. We all associate meanings with the cross, the lamb, the crescent moon, the swastika. Similarly, the way flags are moved, their placement and the sounds they make speak…. half mast indicating a death…. raised as a declaration or proclamation…. lowered as the closure of something…. waved vigorously in rejoicing…. waved loudly in anger… So, let us listen to God as we begin to use banners in worship, prayer and proclamation. Let us listen to how God wants us to use banners, as we allow ourselves to become instruments for Him to speak…. whispering, shouting, declaring, proclaiming His Words, His Intentions, His Will to the world…. people, cities, nations…. restoring His Order. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…on earth… For more info, go to the Contact Us page and send and email to Allana Johnson, PCC's Banner Ministry Coordinator.
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