March 12, 2004

AN ENSIGN TO THE PEOPLE

"In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek" (Isaiah 11:10).

An ensign is a flag--a banner, or standard--that distinguishes a nation. A national ensign is held in high regard and respect by its people. It is displayed with pomp and pride on special national occasions. It is a national emblem of unity and loyalty.

In this messianic prophecy, Christ is touchingly portrayed as the ensign of God's kingdom. As the ensign, Christ is to be exalted before all people everywhere as the one and only means of salvation. On Calvary, the ensign of His people was first lifted up before the world. This was a fulfillment of the declaration, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32, NKJV). The global proclamation of the gospel makes the divine ensign ever more conspicuous before the world.

The promise is that "his rest shall be glorious" (Isaiah 11:10). The climax of the global spread of the gospel will be the establishment of God's universal government in a perfect world. Then God's ensign will dominate the world in a reign of permanent peace, harmony, and righteousness. The prophet predicted, "Unto him shall the gathering of the people be" (Genesis 49:10).

This inspired pen portrait says it beautifully: "One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love."--The Great Controversy, p. 678.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I reaffirm my loyalty to You as the ensign of Your people. Amen.