We are at a time, in the history of the church of God, where it has never been more imperative that we hold forth the Standard of Christ. Regardless of who the writer was that coined the phrase "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing--conceptually, the argument has never been more compelling.
In the history of the battles of the world, we see the Standard--or a Banner as it is sometimes called--playing a very significant role. It was considered as an honor to be chosen as the bearer of the Standard for ancient armies.
During the Crusades, Bishops and even Commanders have been known to have carried it into battle.
Danish Naval history gives us some excellent insight into what the purpose and design of the Standard during battle was. The following excerpt is from the NavalHistory.dk website and is known as the Danish Oath of Allegiance:
"I trust you this Banner; because I believe, You are an honest and brave Man; You must lead it, like it is proper for a loyal Warrior.
You must safeguard it, like a real Dane will safeguard his Wedded Wife.
You shall wave this Banner for honest People, but never wave it for traitors.
On the March and mounting Guard, during Storms and Battles, you must appear as an Example to brave Soldiers; you should never retreat; equally you should never cause the Army to become discouraged and running away from the enemy.
If, in the Battle, the Enemy should cut off your Right Hand, grasp the Banner with your left hand.
If you loose both your Hands, grasp the Banner by your Teeth's.
You must safeguard it, as long as you are a live and breathing.
Are you forced to give up fighting, may God forbid that; you must wrap the Banner around your Body and die."
In the history of the battles of the world, we see the Standard--or a Banner as it is sometimes called--playing a very significant role. It was considered as an honor to be chosen as the bearer of the Standard for ancient armies.
During the Crusades, Bishops and even Commanders have been known to have carried it into battle.
Danish Naval history gives us some excellent insight into what the purpose and design of the Standard during battle was. The following excerpt is from the NavalHistory.dk website and is known as the Danish Oath of Allegiance:
"I trust you this Banner; because I believe, You are an honest and brave Man; You must lead it, like it is proper for a loyal Warrior.
You must safeguard it, like a real Dane will safeguard his Wedded Wife.
You shall wave this Banner for honest People, but never wave it for traitors.
On the March and mounting Guard, during Storms and Battles, you must appear as an Example to brave Soldiers; you should never retreat; equally you should never cause the Army to become discouraged and running away from the enemy.
If, in the Battle, the Enemy should cut off your Right Hand, grasp the Banner with your left hand.
If you loose both your Hands, grasp the Banner by your Teeth's.
You must safeguard it, as long as you are a live and breathing.
Are you forced to give up fighting, may God forbid that; you must wrap the Banner around your Body and die."
Holding forth the Standard of Christ. The Apostle Paul admonishes us in 2 Timothy 2:3 "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Study the life of Paul and you will find that he certainly led by example. Let us resign ourselves, as "good soldiers of Jesus Christ", to use the example of the Danish Oath as our guidon into battle.
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