An Appeal to Heaven

An Appeal to Heaven

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Dutch Sheets, prophet and teacher, has called on Christians in America to return to our roots and “appeal to heaven” to enforce our liberty to believe as God would have us believe.  Our roots began before the Declaration of Independence, before the Revolutionary War and before the Constitution.

In the early American colonies, before the Revolutionary War, the pine tree, a symbol of peace for the Iroquois Indians and a symbol of liberty for the Americans, became a symbol of the right to stand up for liberty and justice.  One of the first American flags, it displayed a green pine tree on a white background with the words, “An Appeal to Heaven” at the top.  Dutch Sheets and other Christian leaders are calling the church to take a stand, to appeal to heaven and to display that flag.

As Jefferson, quoting John Locke, expressed in the Declaration of Independence, we have been endowed with liberty through the grace of our creator.  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  

That truth is confirmed by scripture.  Paul wrote to the Galatians, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13 NKJV).

Jefferson went on to say, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”  We, as a nation, seem to have forgotten that governmental powers are to be enacted from the consent of the governed and not to be forced upon the governed.

After the Boston Tea Party, the British army was occupying Boston.  George Washington wanted to intercept British ships bringing supplies into Boston harbor.  Those who were fearful of upsetting the British, refused to go along with Washington’s plan. Washington, then, privately commissioned six ships and started his own navy.  Some historians believe that he paid for the ships himself. All six ships were to fly “An Appeal to Heaven” flag.

The ships commandeered British guns and supplies even before war was declared.   Washington's Secret Navy became part of the Revolutionary Navy and captured British ships and supplies throughout the Revolutionary War.

What is the significance today?

The phrase "An Appeal to Heaven" suggests when we have done all that is humanly possible that we need the intervention of God to protect us and direct us.  The best defense for our Christian liberty is to be Christian in our speech and behavior.  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that is possible. Our Christian demeanor then becomes a conduit for divine intervention.

Titus 2 is a remarkable treatise on Christian behavior that enables us to be more than overcomers in this life.  ^“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1 NKJV).  In order to overcome, Christians must unite around sound doctrine and agree to disagree on other issues. 

Although we cannot find evidence that he actually said the following, it is often attributed to John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church:  “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and, in all things, charity.” Whether or not Wesley said it, is not important.  What is important is the truth of it.

What are the essentials?

1. God loves us.
2.  Jesus died and rose again so that we may have fellowship with God.
3.  He is our hope, our provision, our joy and our strength.

Referring again to Titus 2, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” (Titus 2:7-8 NKJV).  We cannot expect the world to exhibit behaviors that we Christians are unwilling to exhibit. 

In like manner, Paul cautioned Timothy, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:22-25 NKJV).

We must stand firm in defending our liberty to worship God.  However, we must do it decently and in order (1 Corthinians 14:40).  We must leave ourselves open to an appeal from heaven.