A Christian Flag

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 24, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 21.

A “Christian Flag.”—A field of white, a blue square in the upper inside corner, on which is a red cross, is what many are now urging for adoption as the “Christian flag.” It has been well remarked that a flag is an emblem of force; and if recognized by a government, as it is hoped this will be, it will become emphatically so. God commands His watchman, “Lift up a standard for the people.” But the standard is God’s, for the prophet declares: “He shall set up an ensign for the nations;” and the Lord says, “I will . . . set up My standard to the people.” “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against Him.” And so the banner, the standard, the flag, the ensign, that the Lord’s people have is spiritual, given by Him; for “Thou hast given a banner unto them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” But “His banner” is “love;” and the Christian will only commit pagan folly to endeavor even to crystallize into any sort of an image his conception of God’s truth and love.