The Great Seal

 The Great Seal of America, and how it applies to the Church today

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To commemorate American Independence (July 4, 1776) a committee was appointed to design a seal for the newly formed nation. Its two sides, in the imaginary in the link, can also be found on our $1 bill. Founding Father & Secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson was commissioned with the overseeing of this design:

In his own words, here is the description and its meaning.

Image 1

The shield on the eagle’s breast;

Thomson: “The shield (escutcheon) is composed of thirteen stripes that represent the several (13 original) states joined into one solid compact (union) supporting the chief (top section of the shield) which unites the whole and represents Congress. The stripes are kept closely united by the chief (top section) and the chief depends upon that union and the strength resulting from it.”

{So, here is a beautiful picture of this pioneering experiment called the Congress: Uniting the people of the 13 colonies, while at the same time, being supported and upheld by them.}

Thomson continues: “Paleways of thirteen pieces Argent and Gules: a Chief, Azure. The Escutcheon on the breast of the American bald Eagle displayed, proper, holding in his dexter talon an Olive branch, and in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows, all proper, & in his beak a scroll, inscribed with this Motto. "E pluribus unum".–

{In contemporary English:

Thirteen vertical stripes of silver and red, with the top part of the shield being blue.

The eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its left. The motto E Pluribus Unum alludes to the union of thirteen separate colonies, to become one nation.}

Thomson’s explanation:

* The shield is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own virtue.

* The olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war which is exclusively vested in Congress. 

*The constellation of thirteen stars denotes a new state taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers.

The motto

* Pluribus is related to the English word: "plural." Unum is related to the English word: "unit."

* E Pluribus Unum:- Many uniting into one. An accurate translation of the motto is "From Many, One" or Out of Many, One"

Thomson continues: “Over the head of the Eagle which appears above the Escutcheon, A Glory, Or, breaking through a cloud, proper , & surrounding thirteen stars forming a Constellation, Argent, on an Azure field.”

In contemporary English:

{Over the eagle’s head appears a gold/yellow glory breaking through a cloud and surrounding a constellation of thirteen silver stars on a blue background.}

Image 2

On the reverse side of the seal:

(And here, is where things become uncomfortable for Christians)

Thomson: “A Pyramid unfinished. In the Zenith an Eye in a triangle surrounded with a glory proper. Over the Eye these words "Annuit Coeptis". On the base of the pyramid the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI & underneath the following motto. "novus ordo seclorum"

* The pyramid signifies strength and duration.

* The Eye over it and the motto Annuit Coeptis allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favor of the American cause.

* ANNUIT means to nod assent, to favor, to smile upon.

* COEPTIS means undertakings, endeavors, beginnings.

* Annuit coeptis means "favors (literally “gives the nod to”) undertakings." 

* Who favors? The Eye (Providence) does.

Thomson: “The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date."

Here again, is where things become uncomfortable for Christians; but we must realize and remember: Many of our founding fathers were deists - meaning that they believed in a higher power, though not necessarily Jesus Christ. 

They believed in a morally Devine Providence, that collectively they referred to as “Nature’s God”. 

They believed that the nod of approval from this humanistic god was enough and all that was needed, for the founding and independence of this brand new nation.

So, where does this leave the Church ?

For the Christian Church, to truly and uncompromisingly follow the Lord, it must separate itself from the State: Not in disobedience or rebellion (God forbid!) - but a SEPARATION of each individual’s soul (there is a difference: Matthew 16:24-27) We must be separate unto the Lord.

And the founders intended it to be exactly this way…they wrote the Constitution with this in mind. 

But, wasn’t our nation founded on Christian principles? 

Absolutely yes - but  it is exactly as a result of this, that the Constitution was created:- 

* A fundamental Christian principle is that Christianity cannot be forced upon the people; and the First Amendment defends the rights of all people to practice any religion they choose - or none at all - as long as it doesn’t violate the moral and ethical standards of the Declaration of Independence. It prohibits the favoring of one religion over another - including Christianity.) The Founders did not want to fall into the trap of creating any kind of theocracy from the newly formed nation. A “Christian nation” is a FREE nation.

In Conclusion:

* This is why there is no room, in either Church or State, for Christian Nationalism or Dominionism (the likes of which we have seen exponentially exploding during the 45th and 47th Presidencies); This nation does not belong to the Church, but to the Lord.

* This means that any Reformation we are believing God for, must and will take place as it has done every time before: Not through “taking dominion over the Mountain of Government”; not through misguided aspirations of power, wealth and influence, being promoted by the New Apostolic Reformation; but at ground level, among and amidst the everyday people and communities. 

*The Seven Mountain Mandate and other related doctrines of power and pride, have no place in this nation - either in Church or State. Both the Bible and the Constitution forbid it.

*The self proclaimed apostles and prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation, from their “mountain of media” are dragging the Church from one fad to another: “God’s reset”…”God’s renaissance”…”God’s revolution” - God help us!

It is time now to “switch them off”, repent of idolatry and turn ourselves entirely towards the Word of God - through which has come, every Reformation of before.