When we talk about these instruments, we are talking about tools that are symbolic. The bible is a book full of symbolism. We see in Col 2:16 & 17 that the festivals are referred to as shadows of things to come. Heb 10:1 also refers to the law as a shadow of things to come, but not the same image of those things. The Israelites were given these things as symbols of the things to come. The definition of shadow is “an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object”.
Romans 6:4 talks about us being buried with him in baptism and then raised again to newness of life.
Colossians also makes reference to being buried and raised again. Every reference to the communion tells us that the bread represents Christ's body, the juice, His blood. The relationship between the church and Christ is said to be like a marriage. When Christ was on earth, he taught in parables. These very parables are stories created to portray things of the Spirit with natural means.
These are only but a few symbols that the scripture uses to give us things in our natural realm, that connect with our natural senses and intellect to help us understand the things of the unseen spiritual realm.
So we need to remember that these things in and of themselves have no power. They are objects used to express things in the natural realm that are being revealed in the Spirit.
With this said, I will also state this. There are some of these instruments that are used propheticallythat as far as scriptural referencing, I feel is a little on the thin side. However, I have also experienced that power when these are used. I will make it clear that I would rather tread lightly in thisarea then to use scripture in what I feel is not an appropriate interpretation.
Alright, let's start with color interpretation. There are so many color interpretations out there. I heard it once said that if you had a room full of people that moved in prophetic color interpretations that you would have as many color interpretations as there were people. This is true for the most part.
I will present two interpretations:
One I have found to be the most scriptural I have truly ever seen represented. It from a teachingdone by one of my dearest friends, who has moved in the area of prophetic worship for many, many years. She has traveled and taught extensively for a large part of that. Her name is Mevalene Anderson. She uses the colors of the stones of the priestly breast plate, and coincides this with the blessings that were bestowed upon each of the 12 tribes.
Rueben is red - God's love
Simeon is gold - refined
Levi is yellow - anointing, like liquid gold
Judah is green - healing, prosperity
Dan is blue - God's glory
Naphtali is silver - we were bought with a price
Gad is orange - warrior, or used with red as fire
Asher is pink - childlike faith, innocence
Issachar is purple - royalty
Zebulan is aqua - refreshing, haven
Joseph is black - new beginnings
Benjamin is iridescent - white, purity
Many of these coincide with other interpretations. Most other interpretations rely on nature to help interpret the meanings. But God does give divine revelation when He is actually consulted.
Red is the blood and sacrifice, power and passion
Black is sin, but also of things hidden
White is purity, without blemish, holiness
Silver is redemption and righteousness
Brown is the earth and flesh
Green is prosperity and abundant life
Pink is innocence and intimacy
Orange is war and fire
Purple is royalty and kingship
Gold is divinity
Bronze, brass or copper is strength, trials and testing
Yellow is glory and sonship
Blue is open heaven, revelation, Holy Spirit, priesthood
Aqua is water, refreshing
Burgundy is new wine
The most important thing to remember is that the Spirit has a reason for moving us towards colors.
If you are constantly drawn to the same color flag all the time, or your home is filled with certain colors repeating itself throughout your home, there is a message being relayed in that. Ask the Holy Spirit, He will bring the revelation.
Now moving on to flags.
Scripture actually does not use the word flag. It refers to banners, ensigns and standard. Flag is a more modern term, and is used in some more recent translations. Each one of these words has slight differences in their meaning.
Standard (Strong’s #1714) Banner, used more towards a military reference; also #5127 to put to flight, to drive hastily, to cause to disappear.
Banner #5251 Something lifted up, signal, pole, sail, ensign.
Ensign #226 sign, signal, a distinguishing mark, remembrance, miraculous sign. It is used in this context 77 times in scripture. Sign of something past, or future, or sign of something unseen such as covenant. Gen 17:11
Webster’s: Banner: a piece of cloth attached by one edge to a staff, an ensign displaying a distinctive or symbolic device.
Flag: A piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol, a signaling device, to attract attention.
All of these are sometimes used interchangeably.
IDENTIFICATION:
Uses in scripture:
Standards were used as a mark of identification. Num. 1:52 “The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own standard, according to their armies.” (NKJV) Num 2:2 “Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by their own standard,”
There are others along this same line.
Each standard was unique and identified the individual tribes. We are familiar with the Lion of Judah, however, all of the tribes had a symbol on their standards. There is some controversy as to what those were. Much has been lost over time.
I have taken what seems to be the consensus:
Reuben: Palm tree-Mandrakes or water
Benjamin: Wolf
Joseph: Ox (Ephraim and Menassah) Two oxen, one domestic, one wild
Gad: Troop
Naphtali: Stag
Dan: Scales, or serpent
Zebulun: Ship
Issachar: Donkey
Levi: Breastplate
Simeon: Tower
Asher: Olive Tree
Judah: Lion
The flags are believed to have been the color of each of the stones in the breastplate. These interpretations come mostly from the Midrash. There are about a 100 of these books and they are written as a means of scripture interpretation and historical documentation.
Nations today still use flags as a means of identifying themselves. These flags contain colors and symbols that represent something about the country itself. Take the american flag. The red stripes are symbolic of shed blood. Many lives have been lost that the people of this country might have the freedom that we have. The white stripes symbolize higher realms of light. The stars represent the states that are part of this country, and the blue is symbolic of Americas relationship to the Almighty, Creator of all. Other interpretations are red for valor, white for purity, blue for justice. Nothing is without some kind of meaning in the flag. Even the fact that all these things are woven together.
MILITARY, RULERSHIP, POSSESSION:
The majority of scriptural references to banners is used in a military context. The references in Numbers 2 states that they set these standards according to their armies. Song of Songs 6:2 makes reference to the awesomeness ,(some translations say terrible) as an army with banners. When the word terrible is used, it creates a picture of how an approaching army with it's banners looks to the enemy!!
It strikes dread in their hearts. When we look at Is 31:8 & 9 we see the enemies perspective.
“Then Assyria shall fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of mankind shall devour him. But he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall become forced labor. He shall cross over to his stronghold of fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the banner.”
Raising the standard is part of the preparation for war, together with strengthening the the guard and posting the watchmen.
Jer 51:12 “Set up the standard on the walls of Babylon; make the guard strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes. For the Lord has both devised and done what he has spoken against the inhabitants of Babylon.”
Banners and flags are used to make proclamations. To declare a thing that will happen. Jer 50:2 (NLV) This is what the Lord says: “Tell the whole world, and keep nothing back! Raise a signal flag so everyone will know that Babylon will fall!” (NKJV) “Declare among the nations, Proclaim, and set up a standard; Proclaim and do not conceal it. Say Babylon is taken, Bel is shamed. The idols and strongholds are coming down.
THE LORDS BANNER
In Ex 17 we see that the Israelites were at war with the Amalekites. After the victory was won Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah Nissi. The Lord is my banner.
The Lord himself has a banner/standard. Is 11:10 “and in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the gentiles shall seek Him and His resting place shall be glorious. “ This banner/standard is Jesus.
This banner is used to call the lost to himself Is 11:12 He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”
The Lord raises this standard in battle on our behalf. Is 59:19 “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him”
The Lord himself gives us this banner to display: Ps 60:4. “You have given a banner to those that fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth.”
We are also his banner Zec 9:16 “The Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over his land.
And of course this banner is waved over us in love Song of Solomon 2:4
As we use banners/standards we are making declarations and decrees. We put the enemy on notice, he is going down and celebrate the victory as he is defeated. As the Lord leads us to certain flags, certain colors/images, we are declaring our identity in Him and who He is to us.
TABRETS/TIMBRELS
The word tabrets means a timbrel a drum. It was made with a wooden circle and covered with a membrane. It had a leather strap attached that was slung over the shoulder. We see this instrument used often in ancient worship and celebration. This is the closest definition we have, this instrument has virtually disappeared over the centuries.
Ex 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
2 Sam 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even harps, and on psalteries and on timbrels, on cornets, and on cymbals.
Ps 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
And the list of these references can go on and on. The amazing significance of this instrument is that Lucifer was made with a tabret. Ez 28:13 After listing the stones it says, the workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day that you were created.”
This instrument is so pleasing to the Lord that he created the first worship leader to have one as part of his very being.
WARFARE/JUDGMENT
These awesome instruments can be used in warfare as well. Is 30:32 “And in every place where the staff of punishment passes, which the Lord lays on him, It will be with tabrets and harps, and in battles of brandishing he will fight with it.”
As the staff of judgment comes down, it comes with the beat of the tambret and the sound of the harp.
Praise is a powerful weapon against the enemy. These instruments were used as celebration and praise unto God. Praise breaks the enemies power over us and places our mind, will and emotions in a place that lines up with the word.
The word tells us that this instrument will once again be returned to us in its original form. Jer 31:4 “Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin os Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tabrets, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.”
Interesting thing about this passage. It refers to us adorning ourselves with tabrets. These instruments were apparently beautiful to look at. This word adornment not only means to decorate, but it means to attack in a hostile manner.
The design of current tabrets is of course symbolic. They resemble the ancient drum by stretching a piece of fabric across the middle of the ring, leaving enough room for a hand hold. The colors and streamers used on these tools are symbolic much the same way it is for flags or other instruments. They are also used as an adornment, to decorate, much like the above passage says they do for us.
TESTIMONY PG 22
STREAMERS
The definition of a streamer is a flag that streams in the wind, any long narrow wavy strip resembling or suggesting a banner floating in the wind.
Since banners and flags have already been covered I do not see it necessary to go elaborate.
ROD OF GOD
The Hebrew word for rod is Matteh. #4294 which means a staff, branch, tribe but also references a scepter and a sword.
Some translations use the words stave, staff, and scepter.
Ex 4:20b “and Moses took the rod of God in his hand” Ex 17:9 also refers to the rod of God.
IDENTIFICATION
These rods or staffs were used an a means of identification. Num 17:2 “Speak to the children of Israel and get from them a rod from each father's house, all their leaders according to their fathers's house, all their leaders according to their father's houses—twelve rods. Write each man's name on his rod. “
Gen 38:25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law saying, “By the man to whom these belong, I am with child. And she said, Please determine whose these are—the signet and cord, and staff.”
In the new testament we see this reference to identification. Mark 6:8 “He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff--”
DISPLAY OF SUPERNATURAL POWER
We are all familiar with the Exodus story. The Lord used the staff that was in Moses hand to symbolically represent the expression of His power. The water into blood, the parting of the red sea, the water coming from the rock. As an expression of his power, the Lord used the actions of Aaron to execute judgement upon Egypt. Aaron repeated what the Lord was doing in the Spirit, Ex. 7:17 By this you shall know that I am the Lord. Behold, I WILL STRIKE THE WATERS which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood.” vs. 20 “And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod an d struck the waters that were in the river, in the sign of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the rifer turned to blood.”
Ex 4:17 “And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”
ROD OF TESTIMONY
The staff itself was used as a way of remembering the acts of God in their lives. They would mark their staffs with symbols of significant events in their lives. The birth of their children, promises God had given them, the fulfillment of those promises. Whenever the Lord moved in some miraculous way, they would mark it on their staffs. Jud. 5:11 “Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places, there they shall recount the righteous acts of the Lord,”
JUDGEMENT
Is 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth and he shall smith the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Rev 19:15 “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He himself will rule them with a rod of iron.”
Rev 2:27 “He shall rule them with a rod of iron”
Is 30:32a “And in every place where the staff of punishment passes, which the Lord lays on him”
THE LORDS ROD
What is the Lords rod”
Is. 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod, out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Fathers rod is Jesus.
This is why David could say Ps 23:4 “Your rod and staff, they comfort me.”
I have found this to be an extremely powerful tool in warfare and in staking the territory. I have used to to walk my home, my church building and other places. Aaron was a priest before the Lord. When he used his rod to exhibit the Lords awesome power, he was doing it in the role of a priest before the Lord. When you use this instrument especially with the mindset that you are a king and priest before the Lord, there is tremendous power in the realm of the Spirit.
BILLOWS
There are two scriptural references for this and two definitions.
#1530 heap, spring, wave, billow, over a dead body, used in ratifying a covenant, spring
#4867 breaker, breaking of (sea)
Ps 42:7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterfalls; all your waves and billows (1530) have gone over me.
Jonah 2:3 For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, and the floods surround me; all your billows (4867) and Your waves passed over me.
I personally love using billows. When you pass them over someone it is like they are being washed over by the depth of the Lord. They are covered and encapsulated in His presence. As you wave them up and down in the air, it's like casting things to heaven and pulling things down from heaven.
VEILS
Typically when the scripture refers to a veil, it is talking about something that is a covering around the head and face.
Spiritually speaking it is referred to being blinded or unable to see spiritually clear.
2 Cor 3:14 “But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ,”
Clear sign only comes through Christ.
2 Cor 3:16 Nevertheless when on turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
The veil in the tabernacle/temple, kept the Holy of Holies separated. The priest was only permitted to enter into the presence of God once a year to place blood upon the mercy seat. But Christ went into the Holy place for us once and for all. Through him, the veil of his flesh we can now go into the presence of God anytime we want to and come before him with boldness.
Heb 10:20 “by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.
To come before the Lord and use this instrument is a powerful way to intercede for others. As we pray for the veil to be removed off their lives and for our lives as well. That we may see clearly all that he is showing us.
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Conversations About Forgiveness Facilitator Guide (6.1 MB)