THE THREE MINUTE WORD

Sunday – May 19, 2024, Iyar 11, 5784

CHRISTIAN FLAG

Video link: https://youtu.be/f3EKwUTKihc

Greetings dear saints of God and welcome back to The Three Minute Word blog todays talking about the Christian Flag as pictured above. A brief discussion arose recently in a conversation and set me to thinking about the origin of this flag. As I suspect you already know, it is common to find this flag (banner, standard or ensign) displayed in Churches along side the American Flag and perhaps the Israeli flag.

The Christian flag was first conceived by a Superintendent of a Sunday School named Charles C. Overton during an impromptu speech on September 26, 1897 according to Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Flag) From the same source, in 1903 Fanny Crosby wrote a song “The Christian Flag! Behold It”. The flag was used unofficially until 1942 when it was approved by the Federal Council of Churches. By the 1980’s it was in common use among Churches in the United States and then spread to other countries.

Since several variations of a “Pledge of Allegiance to the Christian Flag” have arisen, the following is among the earliest. “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Saviour for whose kingdom it stands; one brotherhood, uniting all mankind in service and in love”. An alternative pledge follows. “I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Saviour for whose Kingdom it stands; one Saviour, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe”.

This is a brief sketch of the history of the Christian Flag but flags concerning the Kingdom of God go back to the time of King David and Solomon, perhaps even earlier. Here are two Scriptures.

Psalm 20:5-7 (KJV)

5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Song of Songs 2:4 (KJV)

4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Notice the context of the banner in Psalm 20:5 is salvation. In Song of Songs, we can see the Marriage Supper of the Lamb with His bride (the Church) in the context of love. This is getting lengthy but one last item you may find enlightening. The flag itself has a cross, our Psalm reference connects a banner with salvation, and the Song of Songs reference adds love (the reason for salvation, Gods’ love). Read the following carefully.

Exodus 17:11-16 (KJV)

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

I printed this lengthy passage to give context but our focus is verse fifteen (15 is the number of Gods’ provision, the Unleavened Bread). Perhaps we have all heard that one of the names of God is Jehovah Nissi and we find that reference in Exodus. Interestingly this is not referring to a flag but a sacrificial alter. Isn’t Scripture just wonderful!

Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Sunday with new revelation from the Throne. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.

By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice

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