9--THE REMNANT

God’s people, who are alive when Jesus is about to return, will experience a great deal of trials, as well as blessings.

"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." – Revelation 12:17

Note: In the Bible, whenever prophetic symbols are used, such as in this text, the word “woman” refers to a church. It represents either God’s true church or a counterfeit, false church. Here we see God’s true church keeps the commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus Christ. The law and the gospel go together. The law is written in the hearts of those who choose Christ.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." – Revelation 14:6-12

Note: This is a message God gives to the world in the last days before Jesus comes again. It is prophetic, of course, and contains much symbolic language. By comparing Scripture with Scripture we shall begin to understand what God is telling us.

"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." – Revelation 18:1-4


Note: God adds to the three angels’ messages that were given in Revelation 14 the message of Revelation 18. This angel adds power to the messages and further explains what is happening here on earth. God has a people scattered in many churches and in the world, who need to come out and be separate from the world and the evil in it. When He speaks of Babylon, He is speaking of a false worship, which is mingled with much error in doctrine and practice. Remember, a woman is a church in the Bible, and a fallen woman represents a church practicing and believing things that are not in harmony with the Bible.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad." – 2 Corinthians 5:10


Note: There is a judgment to be faced. What we must face right now is preparing for this judgment. Seeking salvation and choosing to serve our Creator and Redeemer is the first step in being ready for what is coming. In fact, right now, God is examining our lives to see if we are making the needful preparation for His coming kingdom. God is writing the names of those who accept Him in the book of life. Our deeds are being recorded, day by day. Pardon is written on confessed sins. Jesus blood covers them. But God isn’t through with us yet. We still must “die daily” and rise each morning to walk with Him, so He can continue to change us into His image.

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," – Jude 3, 14


Note: Enoch tells of Christ’s second coming way back near the beginning of history. God has a company of saints, among the dead and those living today, who will be ready for His coming in the clouds of heaven. Will you be one of them?

"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" – 1 Peter 1:16-19


Note: Though we are saved by faith in our Saviour, we will be judged according to our works. This is not a contradiction of terms, for our works will prove whether our faith is genuine or false. We need a heart relationship with God, so He can “work in us” through the Holy Spirit. It is God’s Spirit which bring us repentance and faith. When we yield to the convictions of He who brings us all things, we will continue to grow up into mature Christians. The blood of Christ makes all this possible.

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." – 2 Peter 3:10- 14

Note: God’s children don’t have to fear what is coming. The remnant are those who will be alive when Jesus comes. They will experience a great deal of trouble before He comes, but they will also have a glorious experience, as the Holy Spirit is poured out in a special way. We look for His coming to end all sin and suffering on this earth. Will we be found among those who are found “without spot, and blameless”? If this is to be our destiny we need to spend much time in prayer and study of His word now.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." – Revelation 21:1-14


Note: The book of Revelation gives us a wonderful picture of what is to happen in the future. We want to be ready to enter the New Jerusalem God has prepared for us. Let us be sure we are among the remnant. Those who live in the last days have access to a broader understanding of the prophecies. When we understand these things, it will cause us to yearn for what God has prepared.

CONCLUSION:

You and I have a wonderful destiny to face. God loves us so much He wants us with Him for eternity. The remnant of His people living on this earth today will count themselves as pilgrims and strangers in this present world. Yet, with God’s help, they will want to bring as many as possible to share this great destiny.