“Pick up a banner and wave it in Church what’s that all about?”
The waving of banners in worship, at first sight, may seem somewhat strange, irreverent and a bit of a mystery, however, Psalm 20 v 5 says “may we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honour our God.”
Of themselves, just like Paul’s references in Acts (19 v 11/12) to handkerchiefs and aprons being used in healing, banners have no authority or power. They are just bits of cloth and poles. So, when we pick up a banner we need to see beyond its physical appearance and look to the supernatural realm. When we begin exploring the significance of banners in scripture and what they symbolize we know that because God “inhabits the praises of His people” when we pick one up in faith it can carry an anointing and help usher in His kingdom.
All forms of creative expression, in particular dance, painting, poetry mime and bannering are imbued with purpose and meaning. They should not be regarded as empty gestures assigned just to secular society. When the anointing of the spirit of God enters a room and the person/s are operating in the ‘right sprit’, the creative activity becomes a bridge that reaches out and a tool that helps us engage with Him.
Let’s look at scripture…..
The first mention of the word “banner” is in Exodus17 v 15 when the battle against the Amalekites was won as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms on the hilltop. Moses built an altar to the Lord and called it “the Lord is my banner.”
Later in the wilderness the Lord gave Moses and Aaron instructions to arrange the camp around the Tent of the Meeting as follows “each man under his standard with the banners of his family.”
Jewish tradition suggests that the standards of the twelve tribes of Israel also correspond to the twelve coloured stones in the breastplate of the High Priest. (Exodus 28:15-21)
Isaiah 11:12 & 62:10 refers to “raising a banner for the nations”
We know we were created to worship Him. By using banners many have come into a newfound intimacy and freedom they have not previously experienced. As restriction and self-consciousness lift there can be a release of worship that has been locked up inside. Lifting a banner can be a vehicle to meet God in a new way. It can also carry an anointed power to open the portals of heaven and usher in His presence.
Worship and warfare go hand in hand. We read in scripture that many Hebrew battles were decided in God’s favour. Banners were used in battle to gain and signify victory and to push back the powers of darkness.
Psalm 60:4 “but you have raised up a banner for those who honour you a rallying point in the face of attack”
In relation to the New Testament banners are used in worship to proclaim the Lordship of Christ and the power of His blood. Used prophetically banners have come to symbolize the truths by which God sets us free and to speak into someone’s life.
Song of Songs 2:4 “and His banner over me is love”
In the spirit God prompts the banner user to engage in a specific act of waring, praise, intercession and communication as He directs them to different colour combinations, textures and the manner in which they are to be used. eg in warfare a slashing movement may be used to defy the enemy.
An indication of the significance of the colours;
White: purity, holiness, the Bride
Red: the crimson blood of Jesus, sin, deliverance, redemption, salvation
Pink: Rose of Sharon the highest and best
Gold: the glory, the Father
Silver: the Holy Spirit, Ruach of God
Bronze: Judgement, truth, Justice, strength
Purple: royalty sovereignty, majesty, repentance
Blue: water, rivers, heaven, prophecy, our final home
Green: healing, mercy, compassion, new birth
Yellow: hope, promise, light and power, joy, celebration
Orange: fire (often used with red and yellow)
Black: fear darkness, the enemy
To signify or emphasize scripture emblems are often used on banners
- lion, (the lion of Judah) dove (the holy spirit) crown (majesty and kingship) cross (Jesus) sword (the word of God) flames (fire) eagle (strength and power.) (Sheep) the Lamb of God.
Words are also used such as the names of the Lord eg Jesus, Prince of Peace, Yeshua.
Used in praise and worship banners can visibly portray and emphasise the words of scripture in songs such as “we want to see Jesus lifted high a banner that flies across the land.”
A track on a CD called “The Colours of Salvation” by Jim Bailey also provides a good example of colours and their significance.