Rev. E. Anderson
UNFURLING THE BANNERS
Reading Psalm 60
Texts Psalms 60:4, 20:5
Introduction
BANNER: A banner is described as a rectangular flag, ensign or standard bearing some crest and words which groups, clans or armies adopted and rallied to when summoned to in times of celebration, crisis or conflict. Such were regarded as being very important in the conduct of a people’s equipment In times of peace and war. They had to be raised and unfurled with definite purpose and intention. They had a message to acclaim and a cause to advance. They had a great, significant role to play in the life of the people.
GOD’S PEOPLE: Israel of old were called upon by God to use ensigns and banners -Numbers.2: 2,3 Each tribe had to have its own crest and banner to which they had to live and march under. it must have been quite a sight to have witnessed 2/3 million people dwelling and moving under their respective standards.
In coming out of Egypt they would not be very organized but God introduced essential disciplines amongst them in order to make them feel somebody and to make them a threat to oppositions that stood In the way. He addressed this situation so that they could rise and take on what was before them with confidence and expectation. This people were to become an invincible, divine army ready for combat and conquest. In the words of Song of Solomon 5: 4,15 “Awesome as an army with banners.”
“Roman soldiers used ensigns for signaling in battle. Occasionally they used oils to perfume them and decorated them with flowers. Jews considered these ensigns to have a spiritual quality that was offensive. Nowadays, we do not regard ceremonial objects as the Jews or Romans did in centuries gone by, but we can learn a lot bv understanding how people revered banners in Biblical times.
When exiled in Egypt, the Hebrews had no banner and were anonymous, unorganized and without distinction. As slaves they had no identification, no flags, and no rights. When the tribes finally escaped, it was as refugees united only in huddled fear – a mixed rabble. Only Moses and Aaron kept them together, and even then some of them probably suspected them of being religious fanatics. However, the families clung to each other for mutual support. The first few days were critical.
“Then murderous bands of Amalekite plunderers began to harry their flanks, picking off stragglers and stripping them of their meager belongings. Joshua had to muster what men and arms he could. It was a pitiful show since they did not have so much as a rag raised on a pole to rally them. However Moses had his own bare hands to raise to the God of Heaven, and the Amalekites were routed. Moses said, “Hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation” – Exodus 17:16” – R. Bonnke
CHURCH CALLING: The Church of Christ Is represented as many things within the NT. She is referred to as a family, building, body, city and bride. Each conveying particular truths of spiritual significance. But another view of her Is that of a divine army. Each Christian is called into military service and Is on active duty as a soldier of Christ. Each one is expected to be strong, to take the whole armour that has been divinely provided and to stand against all the opposition of evil and win – Ephesians 5:11-25. There are flags and ensigns of a divine order that need to be brought out and raised so that they can be unfurled and allowed to fly under the wind of the Holy Spirit.
The banners have got to be standards of truth. What is on them is of Importance “You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth” – Psalm 60: 4. it is because of the truth it must be displayed and it is the truth that must be displayed. There is nothing false or fabricated to be on the banners. Everything of a divine character is to be placed on them so that all may have faith. They are to be banners that create great inspiration, that can be waved with enthusiasm and skill and which create a spiritual response in the situation, whether in celebration or warfare.
The psalmist uses the term ‘banners’ in the plural – Ps.25: 5. This reveals that they had more than one and with many great themes and messages an them. See the use of banners In the move in Pensecola. Great sight in the march of witness Rotherham with all the churches.
What I would like to see. All the Salvationists with all their bands and banners and believers marching as one the Church caught up as a whole with this revelation and inspiration.
What are the banners to be lifted up on high in the ranks of Christendom?
1/. THE BANNER OF THE LORD – Exodus 17
This is the first time the word banner is used and it is in connection with the altar that was raised in thanksgiving for the victory that had been given vvl5. Not only was the LORD to be Jehovah Nissi on that occasion. This was to be the trend that had to be set for all that was to be. He was to be set up as the ensign and standard in the midst of them. A banner made and placed in a prominent situation would set the tone and be an apt reminder who was amongst them. It was to be a banner of the LORD to the LORD.
They needed to have this focus before them continually. His Lordship was to be a critical factor in their faith and their future. if they lost it here they lost it everywhere. It was His Lordship that was to be in the ascendancy in the forthcoming days and they were called upon to place their confidence in this truth. Much would ensue that would seek to challenge this banner of truth but truth would prevail. They were expected to march and fight under the ensign of His Lordship, the ever existing LORD – Jehovah.
No less is true of NT Christianity. The truth to be grasped, believed and raised on high centres on Christ’s Lordship. He is seen in His position – Acts 2: 33,35. Christ is to be seen as possessing all authority and power – Matt. 28:18 and that all will have to bow to Him and His rule – Phil. 2:11,11. it is anticipated that under His Lordship and leadership victory after victory should be known. it is to be a trail of triumph. Once His Lordship is revealed and established It is expected there will be a constant succession of victories. There is a need to raise not only the banner FOR but TO the LORD. This Is what the early Church did and so experienced huge success. When there is a rallying to Him there comes the sense and power of His presence and leadership. The great theme of the Infant Church was – He Is LORD” and it is unchanging I He is LORD of all.
“Our banner is no mere arbitrary artistic design, but the Lord Himself, visible to all, riveted to that wooden “pole”, exhibiting for ever His unrestrained love, the living banner of a dying Saviour. We set Him forth, the crucified One and through Him we conquer.”
“Paul seems to have been thinking in such terms when he wrote, “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified – Galatians 3:1. He uses a word based on the Greek grapho – ‘to write” or ‘to inscribe” It has been translated “to placard” The Cross of Christ is the sign writing of Almighty God on the billboards of history.” R. Bonnke
2/. THE BANNER OF OUR SALVATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS – Matthew 1:21; Jeremiah 23: 6
It is quite significant that this people of former times had to march and fight under one named Joshua or Je-hoshua. Jehovah Is my salvation. His name was significant and represented the divine title amongst them and served to be the ensign for future battles and triumphs. They were to know salvation on a glorious scale. Of course, Joshua had his own personal encounter with the true leader in Josh. 5: 13-15 50 and he was not likely to forget who was directing operations and effecting salvation and victory. Salvation belongs to the LORD.
Allied to this is the matter of righteousness. Elsewhere the LORD is named, Jehovah Tsidkenu the LORD our righteousness. It was essential to live under His righteousness. God chose them by His love, grace and favour and not because of any personal worth or merit in them. He was to make them righteous and to abide under His righteousness so that He could bless them and forward His name and glory through them. As they did so they would know His continual favour and fullness of blessing.
Jesus saves and makes righteous is the theme of the Christian Church. We are saved from sin, self and Satan through Jesus and are made right through His righteous worth, He, Jesus, is the believer’s justification, which means being made just by the Just One in a just way. In Jesus is our salvation and justification – I Corinthians 1: 30; Romans 4, into the life that has been saved and justified by Jesus comes and flows the immeasurable goodness of God.
3/. THE BANNER OF OUR PROVISION – Genesis 17:1:22:14
Twice the LORD reveals Himself to Abraham with the assurance and testimony that He was the All-Sufficient One with the capacity to provide. This was the faith that Abraham had in the LORD and was at up as a banner within his life and being. It was the conviction that made all the difference to his relationship with God and his future.
In the first instance, the LORD spoke and said, “I Am Almighty God.” This in Hebrew signified El Shaddai which being Interpreted means ‘the many breasted God’ and expresses His ability to sustain all life, Here was the assurance that the Lord would be able entirely and at all times personally minister into all of his life’s needs and situations.
“The root emphasizes God’s might over against the frailty of man. In Genesis it is used particularly in situations where people are hard-pressed and need assurance “ – Genesis 17: 1 Spirit Filled Bible
The next instance is in the offering up of Isaac Genesis 22: 14 where Abraham discovered the truth In reality – Jehovah Jireh. The ram in the thicket was no accident but a providence. Throughout his pilgrimage he found that God lived up to this title and so could raise it. He provided promises and fulfilled them.
Our assurance is Philippians 4:19. This is the ensign to be over our lives and situations.
4/. THE BANNER OF OUR HEALING – Exodus 15: 2
This is a very wonderful banner that has to be fulfilled, .raised, unfurled and allowed to blow in the wind and in the Church of Christ. Jehovah Rophekah is the One who is the Healer and gives the healing. The word means to cure, heal, repair, restore health.
The backcloth of this is in relation to God’s people coming to the place called Marah v23, known as the place of bitterness. Discovering water there they thought their thirst and need would be met. How deluded and disappointed they were and this led to discouragement ! Through divine Intervention and action the waters were miraculously cured and the promise was given which should have turned into a banner for all their Marah experiences I
Moses had a number of Marah experiences – 17:4; Numbers12; Jacob and Joseph both had their bitter experiences; Job, David, Naomi, Peter etc. The important thing is to see the divine cure coming into each life and condition.
5/. THE BANNER OF OUR PEACE – Judges 8:24
This was the banner that Gideon was called to lift and exalt – Jehovah Shalom -the LORD our Peace. This was a discovery he was to make at a time of intense crisis nationally.
There was certainly no peace around from the nation’s standpoint. There was a state of utter unrest due to the Invasion of the Midianites. Their existence was threatened and God did not appear to be around to help them. The situation needed to be changed and so an angel was sent.
This seemed to make matters worse for him. First of all calling him a mighty man of valour and then demonstrating angelic powers he felt somewhat in pieces v22. But the LORD comes with a word of peace and Gideon was ready to build an sitar. This title was to bring composure, assurance and the hope of better times of prosperity for his people. It was necessary for him to set up this ensign in his being and life and to Institute a reign of peace for forty years – 8: 28.
This word was to become the Jewish greeting – Shalom I It was purposed to be a benediction, a virtual spiritual banner to hang over and blow over the whole nation. The same can be said for the NT Church. Peace is to be a prevailing sign and experience –c.f. Philippians 4:17.
CONCLUSION
- The LORD expects us to have a clear, unfolding revelation of Himself, His Name and all that His name stands for and is related to. This is why He has given the Scriptures and made known the particular revelations to people of past generations. We now live in a more perfect and fuller understanding of Himself and His capabilities.
- It is imperative that these standards be raised and that all Christendom live under the realization of the truths proclaimed and in such there will be outstanding victories and testimonies.
Barnabas Ministries UK 