Our Flag Old Glory

Introduction

Ecclesiastes 1:11 “There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.”

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. The resolution stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” On Aug. 3, 1949, President Harry S. Truman officially declared June 14 as Flag Day. The history of our flag is as fascinating as that of the American Republic itself. It has survived battles, inspired songs and evolved in response to the growth of the country it represents. The following is a collection of interesting facts and customs about the American flag and how it is to be displayed:

The origin of the first American flag is unknown. Some historians believe it was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross.

The name Old Glory was given to a large, 10-by-17-foot flag by its owner, William Driver, a sea captain from Massachusetts. Inspiring the common nickname for all American flags, Driver’s flag is said to have survived multiple attempts to deface it during the Civil War. Driver was able to fly the flag over the Tennessee Statehouse once the war ended. The flag is a primary artifact at the National Museum of American History and was last displayed in Tennessee by permission of the Smithsonian at an exhibition in 2006.

There is one flag, but it is composed of three colors, even as there is ONE GOD but THREE BLESSED PERSONS in that Godhead. These Three are separate from each other but are never separated from each other.

1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

Ephesians 4:5–6 “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

2. There are two parts to the flag:

The field where the stars appear.

 The fly where the stripes appear.

So there are two parts to our life:

The Heaven of blue, where the righteous servants of God shall shine as the stars

Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

Matthew 13:43 “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

And the scene on earth where stripes of sorrow and pain accompany every life.

Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman Is of few days, and full of trouble.”

2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”

3. There are three colors and these in union make our flag of liberty, but separated they tell a tragic story:

There is the red of anarchy.

There is the white of surrender.

There is the blue of immobility.

We do not want them separated, for together they represent justice and judgment, fellowship and friendship. It is so in the Godhead. God’s justice and judgment are mingled with His mercy and grace. We do want them separated.

4. There are four sides to this flag, even as we shall dwell in a city foursquare. To enter that city, we must be washed white in the red blood of the One who is now on His throne beyond the blue of the heavens.

Revelation 21:16 “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.”

5. Five points appear on each star. One of these points upward, two of them point out ward and two point downward. We must be right with God before we can be right with our fellowmen and before our walk will be godly and good. Five is the number of weakness in the Bible. Five fingers indicate that our hands are weak for many kinds of industry. Five toes remind us that our walk is not what we would like it to be. Five senses certainly indicate our need of more perception, more knowledge and better understanding. We shall never shine as the stars with those perfect points unless we are made into God’s stars by God’s grace and through trusting the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

6. Six white stripes bring to our attention the fact that man has been given sufficient provision both for his body and his soul. Six is the number of man.

7. The seven red stripes beautifully indicate to us that there is enough power in the blood for every kind of sinner. The red stripes are as long as the white stripes. The blood of Christ cleanses all the way from the cradle to the grave.

Isaiah 53:3 “He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

1 Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Be sure that you are trusting in that precious blood of Christ. The flag is enclosed in red and we too must be wholly sheltered under the blood if we would be safe from coming wrath. 7 + 6 = 13 = sin. The Godman Christ Jesus died for us to make men white.

Conclusion

This flag should be displayed by those who own it, and confess their citizenship under it; even so the Christian is called upon to confess Christ before men, own that God is his Father, Christ is his Saviour, the Spirit is his Guide, the Bible as his authority. Let us openly and constantly confess that our citizenship in this world is only temporary. Our citizenship is in Heaven and we are marching under the banner of the cross.

Matthew 10:32–33 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

Luke 12:8 “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:”

Philippians 2:11 “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Cross is a memorial of the death that Christ took for me.

2. The Grave is a memorial that I am buried with Christ.

3. The Resurrection is a memorial that Christ has secured the victory.