Visual Expressions of Praise

and Worship

Restoring the Tabernacle of David

By Kay and Pete Williams

As God unfolds His calendar in the restoration of the Tabernacle of David in the world today (Acts 16:16, Amos 11:12) many expressions of the prevailing power and presence of God are coming to the forefront. One of these expressions is the use of artistic banners, flags, crowns, and other articles of praise and worship in the House of the Lord. Over the last two decades banners and their use in worship have brought an increasing awareness of the strategies and purposes of God. The motivation in the hearts of God’s people to lift up a standard has gone from rare to intense. We might ask ourselves why, and why at this point in time? Why are banners of such importance in the worship of the King of Glory?

The restoration of the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles in many churches and synagogues throughout the world today has brought forth many elements of the Tabernacle of David of old. These elements of joyous celebration of the God of all creation, as He brings forth the abundant harvest both of crops and souls, and victory over and release from our enemies, identify us as the people of the Almighty, King of Glory, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Psalm 20:5 (LB), states "We will shout in triumph at your salvation and victory and in the Name of our God we set up our banners."

When we think of this time in the history of the Kingdom of God as a season for tabernacles and look at the scriptures closely in light of the meaning of tabernacles as the "dwelling" of the King among His people, we can better understand how banners help prepare the way of the Lord and proclaim His presence "ascribing to Him the Glory due His Name" (Psalm 96:8).

Raising a banner or standard as a sign of identification and victory is found throughout biblical history:

Exodus 17:8-16 (NIV)

Numbers 2:2-3, 17 (NIV)

Psalm 60:4-5 (JERU, NIV)

Song of Solomon 2:4 (NIV)

Isaiah 5:26; 11:10, 12 (NIV)

Isaiah 13:1-2 (NIV)

Isaiah 31:9 (NIV)

Isaiah 49:22 (AMP)

Isaiah 59:19 (AMP)

Isaiah 62:10-12 (NIV)

Jeremiah 51:12, 27 (NIV)

As God directed in the past, He is also directing today by His Spirit that banners be raised in these many and different ways. Notice in particular the numerous references to banners by the prophets.

We believe that as David used banners and standards to proclaim the prevailing power and presence of our God, so we today, involved in the spiritual restoration of David’s Tabernacle, should be involved in the same declarations. We have only to look at the heart of David to be encouraged more and more to raise banners in the House of the Lord.

David understood the celebrations, processions, and surroundings worthy of a king as well as the importance of the pure heart in worship, and as with David, our hearts are still of utmost importance in wholehearted worship of our Lord. As Ephesians 3:17 tells us, the Lord’s most divine tabernacle or dwelling place is in our hearts. As we endeavor to demonstrate both in our hearts and in the physical realm our feelings toward our Lord and Savior, our soon coming King, should we not like David declare, "The Lord’s House must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands, therefore I will now make preparation for it." (I Chronicles 22:5), and, "The Temple is for God not man. Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God" (I Chronicles 29:1-2)?

Over the history of God’s people, He has appointed artisans to prepare an ordered, majestic, and honorable place for His house of worship. Reference Bezaleel for the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-3) and Hiram for Solomon’s temple (I Kings 7:13, II Chronicles 2:13). These artisans worked with Moses and David/Solomon respectively to bring into the physical realm the visions imparted by God for His house. Could artisans today be involved in making banners and other items of beauty, praise and worship under the same calling and anointing–and for the same purpose–as the artisans of old, "filled with wisdom, understanding and knowledge, and with all kinds of craftsmanship to make artistic designs" (Exodus 35:31)? This is, indeed, our prayer!