Special Presentation and Lecture of The Grand LecturerPrince Hall Grand Chapter of Holy Royal Arch Masons, State of California and Jurisdiction Raymond W. Ross Most Excellent Grand High Priest April 14, 2001 Mount Moriah Chapter, HRAM San Diego, California Companion Cyril John Jeffries, Jr. Most Excellent High Priest Right Excellent Grand Lecturer Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Holmes
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
The Holy Royal Arch admits the profound seeker into the Temple of the Truth --
the truth that lies behind the allegory. It is in the Holy Royal Arch that the figurative
leads to the historical, and the historical leads to the factual, and the factual leads to the
Truth.
And in our Search, the Masons followed the cabletow from the Darkness of
Spiritual Ignorance-- all the way to Hiram, but Hiram sendeth to King Solomon, andKing Solomon sendeth to Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel sendeth to Jesus. And Jesus
sendeth us to labor, working on the Building.
On the global dimension, The Holy Royal Arch is the Conscience of a society that
is losing its spirituality, that is abandoning its morality, and a society that is amnestic of
the idea that there is a “house not made by hands” – and we are working on that House;
we are Lively Stones of the Spiritual House; we are the Living (human) Temple of God,
the same God of the Christian Idea, the God of the Abrahamic Faith, and the God of the
Apostolic Gospel.
The Holy Royal Arch features the dramatizations and re-enactments of a critical
period in the whole story of Salvation -- not necessarily religious salvation, but
ecumenical and universal salvation, beginning with the Hebrews in Egypt and unfolding
with the tabernacles and the Temples.
The Old Testament as we know it mirrors the Torah and Talmud – sacred volumes
of the Jews and the Hebrews, all replete with symbology of the Temple and the
Tabernacle. In fact, the Tabernacle in the wildereness and the Temple in the city were
the grandest of all symbols. The Tabernacle or the Temple was not an end in themselves;
they were representations of an Idea far greater than the man-made building themselves,
they harbored a much wider implication, and they carried a universal appeal that was
much grander than the physical edifice, itself. As grand and splendid as the Temples
were, they were but elementary projects that were but a preview of and a prelude to the
more glorious Temple of Man, that sanctified place where Jehovah would finally reside
in the glorious consummation of Mankind redeemed. The Temples were symbols of the
disrepair. Even the prophets of old have preached the sentiment of Jehovah – “My
people perish for a lack of knowledge.”
That, my Companion Brothers, is the problem, today – in the secular world and in
the Intellectual Zone of Freemasonry – knowledge. Everywhere we go, we see the
convincing signs that something is missing in our heads. Jubelum has injured us;
Jubelum has damaged the House. He has injured our Spiritual Intelligence; andconsequently, we lost the Moral Idea. And just any old knowledge will not suffice;
substitutionary knowledge will not suffice. We must go back to the Jerusalem of our
earnestness and sanctity of soul, back to the Jerusalem of the humility of our spirit, back
to the Jerusalem of our discipline of our bodies. And then let us rebuild on the
Foundation of Holiness already laid – Holiness Unto The Lord. We must build an edifice
grander than the Lodge of the Saint John the Baptist, grander than the Lodge of Saint
John the Evangelist, build it beyond the Lodge of Euclid and Pythagoras; it must be a
building superior to the tainted glories of earthen trophies, a building resplendent with the
glory of God, a building in which Ichabod is reversed, and the Glory of God is resident in
every Brother Companion, until the ransomed of God be saved to sin no more.
The Banners of the Royal Arch Chapter
Although the colors of the Banners might differ at various times and places from the Biblical
history, yet, they are still full of grand importance and significance:
The Four Main Banners representing the four divisions of the army of Israel are:-
1. An Eagle on a Blue Banner. This represents the Tribe of Dan.
2. A Man on a Purple Banner. This represents the Tribe of Reuben.
3. An Ox on a Scarlet Banner. This represents the Tribe of Ephraim.
4. A Lion on a White Banner. This represents the Tribe of Judah.
The above banners bear a device of angelic nature according to R.A. Masonic tradition
representing - integrity and understanding, strength and power, patience and assiduity,
promptness and celerity, which roughly correspond to the four Cardinal Virtues of
According to Biblical History, the colors of the Banners correspond to the colors of the stones
that represent that tribe on the breastplate of the High Priest, this means that the banners above
should be colored green, red, red, red. It is no mere accident that in the U.S.A., they now
correspond in color in a Royal Arch Chapter to the color of the four Veils, as they are carried by
the corresponding Masters of those Veils.
The Twelve Banners of all the tribes of Israel are represented by Characters figurative of the
deathbed prophecies of the Patriarch Jacob, and are as follows :-
1. The Banner of Judah was borne by Dashon, its Prince. It was designated by a Lion couchant
surmounted by a Crown and Scepter. Judah was the Chief Tribe, and was more eminently
distinguished, both for prosperity in war and peace and quietness at home. Its dignity was
marked by the Divine Favor, in choosing David from this Tribe to be the Instrument of His
Blessings to the people of Israel. To the Tribe of Judah was assigned the most honorable station
in the camp vis., in the East, before the Tabernacle, and under its standard the Tribes of Issacher
and Zebulon pitched their tents. The color of this banner is scarlet or crimson.
2. The Banner of Issacher was borne by the standard bearer of Prince Nethareel. It was Sky Blue
and was charged with a strong Ass crouching beneath its burden ( some say the burden was the
sun and the moon, and Rabbinical studies are inclined to this view.)" The Ass is a patient animal
and a proper symbol of labour. And accordingly, the prosperity of Issacher sat quietly upon the
land allotted to them and cultivated it with diligence and assiduity. Instead of employing
themselves in war or mercantile pursuits, they were lovers of peace and quietness.
The act of the Ass couching between its burdens was an opposite symbol of the indolent
character of this Tribe, who would prefer a submission to every species of tyranny and
oppression rather than be at the trouble of asserting their natural rights on the field of battle. Like
the Ass, which, though a strong and hardy beast, would rather sink tamely under the heaviest
load than shake it off by exertion of its bodily powers.
3. Prince Eliab erected the Banner of Zebulon. It was Purple and bore for its distinguishing
characteristics a Ship. This was the prophecy of Jacob " Zebulon shall dwell in the haven of thesea: and he shall be for a haven of ships: and his border shall be unto Zion"
4. The device on the great Banner of Reuben, (Red or Scarlet) which was borne by Elizur, was
another of the Cherubic forms vis., a Man, because Reuben was the first born of h is Father , the
"excellence of dignity and excellence of power." These Epithets may refer in general to the
prerogatives of the first born, which Reuben would certainly have enjoyed according to his just
claim, if he had not forfeited it by his offense. ( He had slept with his Fathers concubine and had
also helped sell his brother Joseph into captivity). And therefore his Father predicted of him:
"Unstable as water thou shall not excel." And then mentions the reason why, which means that,
as water by a natural propensity inherent in its substance, flows from its source in an elevated
situation to a place that is lower than itself, so should Reuben fall from his Birthright, and
subside into an inferior situation among the Tribes. And that prophecy was remarkably verified,
for nothing great or praiseworthy has been recorded respecting the posterity of Reuben. They
were inferior in numbers to the other Tribes and the Pre-eminence was given to Judah.
5. Prince Shelumiel, as the leader of the Tribe of Simeon, bore a Yellow Banner emblazoned
with a Sword ( some say Simeon's Banner was emblazoned with a City or a Tower). Simeon and
Levi were represented by instruments of war, the former with a Sword and the latter with a
Dagger; in allusion to the abhorrence testified by the dying Patriarch of the city of these two
sons, in the barbarous murder of the Schemites, (their ruler's son had slept with their sister) under
the assurance of kindness and good faith. Their Father therefore said " Cursed be their anger, for
it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in
Israel." Having been associated in wickedness, it was ordained by a superintending Providence
that their posterity should be disunited that they not be furnished with an opportunity of working
evil upon their brethren, after the example of their progenitors. Hence the Tribe of Simeon had
little or no possession in the promised land, but dwelt in the midst of Judah; some of them
wandered in search of a dwelling place as far as Mount Seir, and the deserts of Gideon. As forthe Tribe of Levi, it was entirely dispersed among the tribes and devoted exclusively to the
service of the Altar.
6. The Banner of the Tribe of Gad was under the charge of Prince Eliasaph. It was White and
was emblazoned with a Troop of Horsemen. ( Dr. Loutherbourg has it charged with a Semee of
stars, some give it a flag.) " Gad signifies a troop; and was an allusion to the name that Jacob
foretold the difficulties that would be opposed to the progress of his posterity by the hostility of
their neighbors. But, though they were doomed sometimes to be defeated, yet in the end bydivine assistance, they should overcome their difficulties and establish themselves firmly and
peaceably in the portion allotted to them. This Prophecy was fulfilled to the letter; for the Tribe
occupying a country beyond Jordan, were necessarily exposed to the incursions of the
Ammonites, from whom they suffered severely; but at length, through the military talents of
Jepthah, the Ammonites were finally subdued and troubled them no more.
remarkable for defeating their enemies rather by policy than by force, of which there are many
instances in the Bible. The Tribe of Dan, however, were ringleaders in idolatry and were the first
who apostatized ( forsakes) from God.
1 1.Prince Pagiel unfurled the Banner of Asher, which bore a flourishing Tree, or a Cup. Its color
was Purple. Asher's Tribe is promised a tract in the Holy Land, which should be fruitful and
prolific, and accordingly it produced the necessaries of life in abundance and Mount Carmel
abounded in the choicest fruits.
12.The Banner of Naphtali was borne by Prince Ahira, and was designated by a Hind. Its color
was Blue. "Naphtali is a Hind let loose; he giveth goodly words". This prophecy denotes that the
posterity of Naphtali should be a spirited and free people; and that the Tribe should be fruitful
and undergo a prodigious increase. And thus, from four sons, whom Naphtali brought with him
into Egypt, proceeded upward of 50,000 descendants, when they were emancipated from theircaptivity. Their portion was in upper Gallilee, a country always noted for the productivity of its
soil. This agrees with the blessing which was given to the Tribe by Moses; " O Naphtali, satisfied
with favor and full with the blessings of the Lord,"
There has also been suggested that each banner has a phi losophical signi f icance and th is
requires that the banners be arranged in the order that they are placed in a Royal Ar ch
Chapter
6. Manessah - pink, a vine beside a wall - the wandering of the vine represents uncertainty and
denial, and must be coupled with its brother
(12 ) Ephriam -green - an ox representing fruitfulness and affirmative attitude of mind. When
these two faculties are expressed in harmony then Divine Order is established, this indicates that
as we must pass through then to approach the V.O.S.L., all must be in harmony if we are to
understand His Holy Word.
5. Benjamin - green - a wolf - translated from the Hebrew as son of the right hand, son of good
fortune, productiveness. This represents faith in the consciousness of man, having conquered the
negative thoughts he is willing to share as a wolf shares the prey with the pack.
4. Dan - green - a serpent biting a horses heel, the Hebrew translation is a judge or advocate.
This refers to the faculty of judgement before achieving the spiritual plane. This is critical and
Zechariah 12:7 , "The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of
David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah."
Although the American blacks, have fought for many causes and brought about much
change to the benefit of all the other tribes of Israel (better schooling through integration, better
jobs, better housing and many other benefits), all the tribes of Israel mock and look down on the
American black. The West Indian blacks, Haitians, (the House of David), Puerto Ricans, and the
Mexicans (inhabitants of Jerusalem) belittle and insult the American blacks, calling them lazy,
thieves, no good bums, stupid etc. Therefore, the Lord promised that he will save Judah first, by
giving him the understanding of the scriptures to teach and gather the other tribes of Israel
under Christ; thereby all Israel will acknowledge Judah as the head tribe.
Genesis 49:9 , "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped
down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?"
"Judah is a lions whelp", meaning the tribe of Judah is like a young lion powerful and fearless: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up", Just like a young lion cub is hunting his "prey" and
then gives up the hunt and becomes distracted. The "prey" is the whole racist system against
American Blacks; the anti black system, and all the other nations. But Judah, has left going after
the prey, leaving the truth of the Bible, and became distracted/tricked by the philosophies of his
enemies, vain religions, crime, selling drugs, killing each other, integration - thereby he has
ceased from the hunt of his enemies.
"He stooped down", meaning just as a lion stoops down with intentions to attack and devour his prey. Likewise in the 40's and 50's, the American blacks stooped down - formed various
organizations to consider devouring the so called white system, for the injustice and oppression
they have suffered.
"He couched as a lion" meaning just as a lion couches about to attack, to devour his prey, so did
the American blacks. In the late 50's and 60's they formed militant groups; no longer passive
marches of protests but now carrying weapons in direct defiance of local law officials, it was
time for kill or be killed, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. It was time for revolution, and duringthis era it appeared as if the American blacks would devour their enemies."
And as an old lion", Judah, this young powerful lion was distracted from his purpose by
infiltration and drugs in the black community, as an old lion gets tired and gives up the hunt, so
Reuben, was not going to excel as far as getting the birthright because he slept with
Jacob’s concubine read; Genesis 35:22 and I Chronicles 5:1.
Genesis 35:22 - "And it came to pass that when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben
went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it..."
I Chronicles 5:1 - "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the
firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons ofJoseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright...)
So because of the sin of Reuben, he did not excel and his birthright was given to the sons
of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh).
Deuteronomy 33:6 - "Let Reuben live and not die; and let not his men be few."
Reuben’s honor lead them to many wars with the so called white man and massacres of their
fellow tribesman. The main enemy of the Seminoles, was Andrew Jackson; he ignored the
supreme court ruling that the Indians could remain in their land until the United States needed it.
He led in the "Indian Removal Campaign" which was to be enforced by the gun. That’s why the
Most High said; "let Reuben live and not die" because even though the Seminoles were being
slaughtered, they would not utterly be destroyed and their men would not be few.
The following is what happened to Antonio Montezinos (a Spanish explorer), when he
visited the Seminole Indians in the mountains of Quito, prior to their migration to Florida. The
passage contains what was told to him by the Seminoles, concerning their identity, and the
identity of their brothers located in Puerto Rico and Cuba. This information is found in "Lost
Tribes and Promised Lands", by Ronald Sanders on page 363-365.
"Upon hearing her words they rose, went over to Montezinos and, to his utter
astonishment, said: "Shema, Yisroel, Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ehod" (Hear, O Israel, the Lord
our God, the Lord is One"). They had recited, in Hebrew, the fundamental credo of Judaism."
"They told him that they were themselves of the tribe of Reuben, and that the tribe of
Genesis 49:22, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose
branches run over the wall."
The blessing of Joseph went down to his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. A "bough" is
a tree, so when the scripture says; "even a fruitful bough by a well" it is showing us a comparison
of how a tree that is planted near water is fruitful the same way the tribes of Ephraim and
Manasseh, would be located near water (island) and be very fruitful. The so-called Puerto
Ricans, are fruitful by having many children and very large families. "Whose branches run over
the wall..." the same way branches go over a wall that divides them from other trees and
branches, to mix with them, is the same way the daughters of Ephraim, went over the wall of
racial division to mix with the Spanish, by marrying the Spaniards. The Spanish, built a fort in
Puerto Rico, encompassed by what’s called, "el morro" meaning "the wall" which was meant to
keep other invading whites from stealing Boriqua slaves and taking Puerto Rico. Because of this
racial mixing, some Puerto Ricans, are very light-skinned. The Bible prophesied about this
mixing read Hosea 7:8. Hosea 7:8, "Ephraim has mixed himself among the people;
Ephraim is a cake not turned."
The people that Ephraim (Puerto Ricans), mixed himself with those who were the
Spaniards. When the scripture says; "Ephraim is a cake not turned" means that the same way a
cake is not turned when baked, one side would be dark and the other side light, is similar to the
complexion of the so-called Puerto Ricans, which range from a dark brown to a very light
skinned. But, only those whose fathers are of Boriquan descent are Israelites, if their fathers are
Spaniards, then they are Spaniards. Now, back to Genesis.
Genesis 49:23, "The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated
him."The "archers" are talking about the conquistadors of Spain. They sorely grieved Ephraim,
by having the Boriqua Indians work in gold mines and sugar cane fields under very hard and
strenuous conditions. "And shot at him..." When Colombus, came in 1492, he subdued Ephraim
with great slaughter. Also when Ponce de Leon, came in 1508, he had 6,000 Boriqua Indians
shot because they protested slave working conditions. Out of 40,000 Boriqua Indians, only 4,000
remained on the island of Puerto Rico, during this invasion. "And hated him..." The Spaniards,enslaved Ephraim and sent shiploads of them to serve slavery in Spain, and stripped Puerto Rico
of it’s wealth and r iches.
Genesis 49:24, "But his bow abode in strength, and the arm of his hands were made
strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd the stone of Israel.