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Jesus Our Banner

“God is revealed as Jehovah-nissi meaning the Lord my banner. Whenever God reveals one of His names through scripture, He reveals something of significance concerning His character and His power in the heavenlies.

When a banner or flag is lifted it is figuratively a demonstration of the presence of God being lifted in our midst. Jesus, who is God incarnate, literally became a banner (a sign, or example) of our God: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32) The Cross became the pole -- Jesus was lifted as Jehovah-nissi, the banner, and the heavens were shaken by the glory of God which was lifted high in all the earth.

Whenever we lift a banner or flag, and lift Christ in our hearts, then there is much more happening than a piece of wood and cloth being raised. Something happens in the heavenly whenever Christ is lifted.” (Vivian Hibbert)

The Lord raised a banner at Calvary that still waves over every believer. It stands as a proclamation to every Christian and as a declaration to every evil force. This banner is called Love.

It is for this reason that many people around the world use flags and banners during their times of worship and intercession. They desire to lift Jesus and His glory high and to declare His victory at the Cross over all demonic forces.

Terms and Definitions

Standard: A standard is a flag or banner that symbolizes authority and identity. Each tribe of Israel had its own standard which represented its unique identity (a lion for the tribe of Judah).

A king’s standard was always by his side. If a person looked up during the midst of battle he could immediately know where his own king was located by finding his lifted standard. The king’s standard represented his authority and if it fell, it meant the king’s authority was cast down.

A standard is also used to represent both unity and individuality. For example, the U.S. flag represents our unity as a nation while at the same time it separates us from other nations.

Banners and ensigns: These are large standards (3’x4’ or larger) that can be carried on flag poles or placed on a wall.

Flags: These are smaller, more manageable banners which can be handled in various ways. Often they are on weighted batons with tubing which allows for greater movement. They can be waved, “whipped”, and used to “stir things up spiritually” by using different motions. Often during a prophetic word or declaration, the one waving the flag will stop and hold it pointed towards heaven as a physical sign of authority accompanying the prophetic.

Halals: A halal means to “show His glory or shine.” They are long strips of material, 6’ to 8’ long and anywhere from 4” to 10” wide, attached to a fiberglass rod. The movements made by swinging the rod in different motions are very flowing and beautiful.

Streamers: Long ribbons attached to a fiberglass rod become beautiful streamers used in worship and intercession.

Scarves or tarps: Square or long rectangle pieces of material that can be maneuvered by one or more persons are called tarps or scarves. For example, a 6’x2’ cloth held at each end by a worshipper can be waved in such a way that it resembles a river — the river of life. A 4’x10’ cloth becomes a canapy held by worshippers during worship or intercession.

Scriptural Use of Banners, Flags and Halals

Banners and flags that represent the authority and identity of the Lord Jesus are used by His followers throughout the world. ...and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. Psalm 20:5

It is the Lord’s pleasure to give his people banners to display before their enemies: Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Psalm 60:4

These banners strike fear in the hearts of the spiritual enemies of the Lord: ... at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic. Isaiah 31:9

Banners and flags are often used as a physical connection to what the Lord is doing in the unseen realm: They are used to muster the troops for battle as “the call to arms.” (Isaiah 49:22) They are used as a declaration of war. (Jeremiah 51:27) Other times they serve to publish the news of spiritual warfare and of the Lord’s intentions. (Jeremiah 50:2-3; and 51:24-28) This might be compared to our Navy which signals between ship to shore (or ship to ship) with various flags and movements.

Spiritual victories are celebrated with shouts of joy and the lifting up of banners. (Psalm 20:5) Flags and banners are waved over those needing healing as a symbol of Christ’s healing work. (Numbers 21:8-9) They can also be used prophetically. (John 3:14)

Jeremiah 51:10-12 names the watchmen as those who would set the standard (flag or banner) up upon the walls. In many services, it is often the intercession-flag team (acting as watchmen) who will stand and wave flags around the outer “wall," or rim, of the congregation as they intercede.

In addition, Zechariah 9:16 identifies the people of God as His banner. It is these people (us) whom He lifts up against the approaching forces of darkness. (Isaiah 59:19b)

When waved, flags can stand for the same things as did an Old Testament wave offering: consecration, peace, forgiveness, supplication and mercy. When lifted up (as in the Old Testament heave offering) these flags also represent the things that a heave offering stood for: offering plunder and captives taken during (spiritual) warfare and displaying the victory of God over His enemies.

Some flags and halals are made of soft lamé with a metallic shimmer. These are beautiful when sewn in multi-colored designs. Fire flags of yellow, red, copper or gold lamé are often blended together with their tips pointed at the end of the flag. Bride flags and halals are soft white with gold lamé sewn in patterns upon the white.

Taffeta war flags snap when waved, sounding like an army in battle. Their various colors symbolize different scriptural truth.

Symbolism of Colors

The different colored flags are symbolic of the different attributes and actions of God. The following colors are a few examples:

Gold = deity, glory, anointing, bride, holiness

Bronze = judgment

Silver = redemption, heavenly realm

Red = Christ’s blood, life atonement, fire, righteousness

Blue = heavenly realm, healing, water, river of life

Green = new life, freshness, river of life, growth

Purple = royalty, kingship, majesty

White = purity, bride, righteousness, holiness, glory

Gold and white = bride flag or halal

Blue and green = river of life halal

Yellow, red, and copper or gold = fire flag or halal

Colors of the rainbow = covenant flag or halal

Gold and purple = Worship flag or halal

Flags of the Nations = used in interceding for specific nations; used in processionals and in spontaneous intercession and worship

For more information on Banners and Flags see my book, Intercessors, God’s End-time Vanguard available at our Bookstore.

Download a PDF form of this Article: His Banner Over Us is Love.pdf 89kb

© 2000 by Susan Gaddis