There are thirteen songs in our song book that use the word “banner.” When we think of a banner we tend to think of a sign made of a flaccid material used to display some kind of message or symbol. Only three of the thirteen songs were written within the past 50 years. Many of them were written in the mid 1800’s.
One of the thirteen songs is number 651; Sound The Battle Cry. Written in 1869, the refrain of this inspiring march goes: “Rouse then, soldiers! rally ’round the banner! Ready, steady, pass the word along; Onward, forward, shout aloud, Hosanna! Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.” The call for “soldiers” to rally ‘round the “banner” in the 1860’s meant for Christians to take up the cause for Christ and publicly declare their allegiance and intentions as a Christian. The song, Sound The Battle Cry, is a call for Christians to spiritually prepare and actively share their faith.
Perhaps instead of “rallying ‘round the banner” we would “sound the alarm” today. We would sound the alarm that Christ is the answer to all of our questions. Jesus told us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” If we need to know the direction we should take, the Words of Christ can lead. If we need the solution to the problems we face, the Words of Christ can resolve. If we need the answers to the questions about the things of life, the Words of Christ can satisfy. Sound the alarm: Jesus is the answer.
We would sound the alarm that Christ is the hope of all generations. So many people battle with the challenges of this life. Some obstacles we create ourselves. Other difficulties just seem to find us. Jesus provides hope for a resolution to those struggles. Jesus provides hope both now and for the future. The Apostle Peter shares the hope we have in Christ writing in 1 Peter 1:3-4, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” The hope Christians have is one with eternal promises of life and joy. Sound the alarm: Jesus is our hope.
We would sound the alarm that Christ is coming soon and be ready. Waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ gives our life purpose. While we wait eagerly for His coming we prepare, study, pray, and worship. This is because we understand that our physical life is but a brief moment of our eternal existence. The truth, the Apostle Paul writes, is in Philippians 3:20-21, “20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
Being assured of Christ’s return we not only prepare ourselves, but those we know and love. This is because we know that the alternative to not being ready for Christ’s return is a fate worse than death. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 tells us that, “7 [. . .] when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” Being ready as a Christian means having purpose and preparing ourselves and others for His return. Sound the alarm: Christ is coming soon!
