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| Iwo Jima Flag |
Red: Valor and Hardiness;
White: Purity and Innocence;
Blue: Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.
In the USA, National Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. Flag Day is currently a state holiday in Pennsylvania.
13-Star Flag: It became official on June 14th, 1777 when the Continental Congress approved the first official national flag. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design. Each star and stripe represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This Flag lasted for a period of 18 years.
15-Star Flag: Two more stars and strips were added in 1795 to total 15. It is commonly called the "Betsy Ross Flag", after a Quaker seamstress who is believed to have sewn the first flag.
Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and poet, wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing the flag flying during the bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. During the bombardment, the HMS Erebus provided the rockets red glare, and HMS Meteor provided the bombs bursting in air. The flag he saw flying was 30x42 feet and is now on permanent display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
In 1818, Congress set some rules for the number of Stars and Stripes. The number of stripes on the flag would always be 13, while the number of stars would always match the number of states. Some flagmakers arranged the stars into a large star, or into a circle, others formed the stars into the first letter of their own state. But in 1912, President Taft regulated the proportions of the flag; six rows of eight stars. In 1959, a new arrangement was set when Alaska and Hawaii were added, bringing the total to 50 states. The colors were also standardized: Old Glory Red, White, and Old Glory Blue.
48-Star Flag: On July 4, 1912, the U.S. flag grew to 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14, 1912). An Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established the proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward. This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag, through two World Wars. Eight Presidents served under this flag. This flag was raised by the USMC during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
50-Star Flag: An Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically. This is the current flag of the United States. Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state on August 21st, 1959. The 27th flag of the United States became the official flag on July 4th, 1960. Ten presidents have served under this flag: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, G.H.W Bush, Clinton, G.W. Bush and Obama.
The Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The US flag and its colors are a great picture of the greatest story ever told – the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The flag is often referred to as the old “Red, White and Blue,” never the “White, Red, and Blue,” or the “Blue, White, and Red.” The Red always comes first, because blood had to be shed for our nation’s freedom. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Freedom is not Free.” The same is true with Salvation from Sin, Death and Hell. Someone had to shed their blood for our nation’s freedom, and Someone also had to shed their blood for our spiritual freedom from Sin, Death and Hell – His name was the Lord Jesus Christ. God became a Jewish man 2,000 years ago; His name was Jesus of Nazareth. God was manifested in the flesh only one time in human history to take away the sin of the world. *I Timothy 3:16; John 1:27* The three colors of the US flag represent three things spiritually:
Red: Blood – The Red stripes on the U.S. flag represent Jesus’ Precious Blood. With His stripes we are healed from the love of sin. We have all sinned, and our sins have brought us into bondage, and Jesus had to die to set us free from the tyrannical bondage of sin. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. *Romans 3:23* For by the law is the knowledge of sin. We have all broken God’s laws and sinned many times against His goodness, long-suffering and forbearance. All of our lies, stealing, cursing, rejecting Christ, dirty thoughts, lust, selfishness, self-righteous religion, greed, rebellion and the like has brought God’s wrath down upon us. The blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanseth us from all sin. *I John 1:9* In whom we have redemption, through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. *Colossians 1:14* Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. *I Timothy1:15* The atoning blood of Jesus, the Son of God, is the only Hope for lost sinners.
White: Righteousness – The White stripes of the US flag represent Jesus’ sinless Righteousness. The Lord Jesus Christ’s Righteousness is needed by all to enter Heaven. God requires a perfect Righteousness, and we cannot satisfy His divine justice with our sinful doings. Our sin leaves a deadly stain on our hearts that separates us from God; a stain that cannot be wiped away by any of our human efforts. You will need a perfect Righteousness to enter Heaven and to get past the judgment of God. God will be looking for Perfect Righteousness on your soul on Judgment Day. Jesus came to Earth and lived a sinless life (pure and holy) and worked out a Perfect Righteousness for you freely. Jesus will give His Righteousness (pure white robe) as a gift in exchange for your sins (filthy rags). You only have to humble yourself, submit and personally receive Him. *John 1:12* Your self-righteousness (human goodness, self-efforts) is as filthy rags and dung in God’s sight. *Isaiah 64:6; Philippians 3:8* You can never satisfy God’s holiness and justice with your own self-righteousness, because it is tainted with your sin and pride. Ye must be born again. *John 3:7*
Blue: Heaven - The Blue part of the US flag is called the Union. This is where the Stars are placed. The Blue in our flag is picture of Heaven. Jesus rose again the third day and is now in Heaven. The only way you can enter Heaven when you die is through the Blood and Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. You can obtain His Blood and Righteousness by simple faith (trust, total reliance) in what Jesus did for you at the Cross. You can trust the Man who died for you. Jesus never sold His cures while He was here on earth, and now you can’t buy His cure for your sin. Salvation and forgiveness of sins is Priceless: sinful man can never earn it. God bids you to trust His Son, Jesus. Will you do so or not? If you will not, there is no hope for you. If you will, you are saved the moment you believe – saved from sin and hell.
The Stars – The Bible says, that saved sinners (the righteous) will shine as the stars forever and ever. *Daniel 12:3* Are you going to Heaven or Hell when you die? Remember, only the Blood and Righteousness of God Incarnate, Christ Jesus, can save your immortal soul. Life is short, Death is sure, Sin the curse, Christ the Cure. Submit to Christ's Righteousness today *Romans 10:3-4*, or you can continue to submit to Sin and Satan – it’s your choice. You need to plead Guilty, settle out of court, surrender, and bow down at Jesus’ feet today. Don’t be careless with your soul.
Believe in Jesus now without delay – don’t procrastinate. Admit you’re a sinner, be willing to turn from your sins (repent), stop loving your sin, and believe and trust the bloody death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ to save you today. You need no good works - don’t bring any. Come just as you are, an undone, ruined sinner. Nothing is so destructive and damning as neglecting the Truth, the Lord Jesus Christ. *John 14:6; John 18:37*
Retire from your sinning and rebellion. Pin all your hope for all Eternity on the atoning blood of God Incarnate. Divine Justice and Wrath has been completely satisfied toward our sins by the offering up Jesus Himself. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. *Acts 16:31* Right now, ask God to wash away your sins in the Precious Blood of Jesus and give you His Righteousness and Forgiveness of sins as a free gift. Humbly seek the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer; receive Him by faith into your heart, soul and mind. *Romans 5:9*
