Banners for the Tribes of Israel
In 1995 I was hosting a home-group meeting that explored how the Lord could use the arts in our lives. Every two weeks we would meet, discuss, and bring in artistic discoveries of our own. During that time, a very interesting and sensitive fellow named Will Pilcher sat in on one of our meetings. He overheard me sharing a desire to see something artistically inspiring created for use in God's sanctuary. Will suggested that the goal should be to God's glory in the sanctuary, as this is God's house. What was done should portray His character, magnificence, creation, love, and redemptive purpose. For example, consider the tribes of Israel. God is a father. He founded Israel from whom came our Savior through a family, the sons of Jacob. God describes Himself repeatedly as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."He showed me the many biblical patterns involving the number "twelve" twelve patriarchs (Adam to Noah); twelve sons (tribes) of Jacob; twelve apostles; twelve thousand sealed (divinely protected) from each tribe (Revelation 7);
In 1995 I was hosting a home-group meeting that explored how the Lord could use the arts in our lives. Every two weeks we would meet, discuss, and bring in artistic discoveries of our own. During that time, a very interesting and sensitive fellow named Will Pilcher sat in on one of our meetings. He overheard me sharing a desire to see something artistically inspiring created for use in God's sanctuary. Will suggested that the goal should be to God's glory in the sanctuary, as this is God's house. What was done should portray His character, magnificence, creation, love, and redemptive purpose.
For example, consider the tribes of Israel. God is a father. He founded Israel from whom came our Savior through a family, the sons of Jacob. God describes Himself repeatedly as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
He showed me the many biblical patterns involving the number "twelve" twelve patriarchs (Adam to Noah); twelve sons (tribes) of Jacob; twelve apostles; twelve thousand sealed (divinely protected) from each tribe (Revelation 7);
twelve gates in the New Jerusalem, which is 12,000 x 12,000 furlongs; twelve constellations in the great heavenly circle/path (Zodiac, Hebrew Mazzeroth); twelve fruits from the tree of life (Revelation 22:2). But, I said, "Does not the Bible warn against worshiping the heavens?" Yes, but we worship the Creator, not the creation. God made the sun, moon, and stars. I continued to meet with Will regarding his studies and all the evidence gathered in literature already published. After looking at this research, I was amazed at how the Lord has spoken through types and symbols in preparation for the revealing of His Messiah. As my curiosity pulled me, and the amount of literature and scriptural evidence increased, I pursued having banners made depicting these created and biblical patterns. Will and I presented a proposal to the leaders of a Gentile church in Santa Rosa California who honored their Hebrew heritage, and during those following seven years, a work in progress developed within that sanctuary, as each of the four-by-six-foot banners began to take shape.
twelve gates in the New Jerusalem, which is 12,000 x 12,000 furlongs; twelve constellations in the great heavenly circle/path (Zodiac, Hebrew Mazzeroth); twelve fruits from the tree of life (Revelation 22:2).
But, I said, "Does not the Bible warn against worshiping the heavens?" Yes, but we worship the Creator, not the creation. God made the sun, moon, and stars. I continued to meet with Will regarding his studies and all the evidence gathered in literature already published. After looking at this research, I was amazed at how the Lord has spoken through types and symbols in preparation for the revealing of His Messiah.
As my curiosity pulled me, and the amount of literature and scriptural evidence increased, I pursued having banners made depicting these created and biblical patterns.
Will and I presented a proposal to the leaders of a Gentile church in Santa Rosa California who honored their Hebrew heritage, and during those following seven years, a work in progress developed within that sanctuary, as each of the four-by-six-foot banners began to take shape.
Through an amazing amount of trial, prayer, and counsel, the banners were completed in 2002. The banners are highly symbolic, and concentrated into visual patterns that can assist the viewer in their own study. In our fast-paced world of quick fixes, we often want knowledge without the work. God makes it plain that He desires seekers. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) He is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This website was not intended to explain all the symbolic connections found in the banners and line them up into some linear conclusion. It is intended to act as a guide to personal study and prayer with the Holy Spirit, as He would reveal His truths found in creation and in the word of God.It is my hope that those who are drawn to this study would follow the biblical references and study notes with prayer, and discover other revelations that He would bring to them. -- Wesley Bishop
Through an amazing amount of trial, prayer, and counsel, the banners were completed in 2002.
The banners are highly symbolic, and concentrated into visual patterns that can assist the viewer in their own study. In our fast-paced world of quick fixes, we often want knowledge without the work. God makes it plain that He desires seekers. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) He is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
This website was not intended to explain all the symbolic connections found in the banners and line them up into some linear conclusion. It is intended to act as a guide to personal study and prayer with the Holy Spirit, as He would reveal His truths found in creation and in the word of God.
It is my hope that those who are drawn to this study would follow the biblical references and study notes with prayer, and discover other revelations that He would bring to them.
-- Wesley Bishop
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