INTRODUCTION
As an unincorporated group, and knowing that any godly goodness
that can be done is by the Power of God (2Tim 1:7; Rom 1:16-18;
1Cor 2:6-16; 1Jn 5:1-5), we attempt to reach out to brothers and
sisters in Christ who are scattered around the world. We desire
to always strive for spiritual growth and to walk by faith in
the Way of Righteousness (Mt 7:14; 21:32; Acts 18:25-26), instead
of humanly-satisfying opinions, perceptions or measures (Hab 2:1-4
[NRSV]; Heb 10:35-38; 1Jn 2:15-27). Being washed by the Word of
God causes godly change, increase in spiritual resources, and
an increased capacity to help others.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints
wherever they might be (2Pet 3:14-18; 2Thess 3:18; Rev 22:21).
CHRIST'S TEACHING IN THE NT
The biblical concept of the Remnant describes those who overcome
trials and tribulations; those who, by the grace of God, survive
disasters and escape destruction because of their faith and trust
in God; those who have been dispersed by disillusioning falsehoods
and hireling shepherds. Those foreordained as Firstfruits will
endure in the righteousness they know (Ezk 13:1-23)—they will
hear the magnifying and gracious Voice of Truth, will be gathered
and brought together into one Flock with faithful shepherds and
under the one Good Shepherd (Jn 10:14-16). The elect rejoice in
receiving the gift of the Gospel and are the Remnant.
The present pain and future hope of these defining comments are
captured in Christ's words in
There is a peace-making principle expressed in Mk 9:36-41 and
Lk 9:49-50 that balances this proverbial saying in Mt 12:30:
He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather
with Me scatters (likewise in Lk 11:23). And "those who are
not against us are for us" (Mk 9:40; Lk 9:50). It reveals
that those who are called and chosen but do not have the complete
Message will recognize the Truth when it is offered to them. Those
who have less of the Gospel than others, if led by the Spirit
of Truth, will hear, will heed, will experience more change and
very much more spiritual growth. These have ears and eyes that
will perceive. Those with personal pride and religious arrogance
do not have eyes and ears that perceive. Their sorrow will be
like that of Cain, Esau, Judas—manifesting false remorse, self-interest,
blind self-will, vengeance against the righteous, and then Death
by the hand of Jesus Christ.
That most heart-warming chapter 10 of John's Gospel speaks of
gathering the lost sheep.
The high priest Caiaphas unwittingly prophesied before the Sanhedrin
that Christ's death would be the means of gathering the sheep
scattered across the face of the earth.
When we consider the Epistles to the Romans, Galatians,
and portions of other NT writings, we find that the concept of
dispersion includes:
ROMANS 9 - 11
The apostle wrote, in Rom 9:1-5, that he wished that all
Israel would be saved, for to them pertain the adoption (as children
of God; Ex 4:22), the glory (Ps 26:8), the covenants (Dt 28:13-14;
Jer 31:31), the Law (Ex 19:3-10; Rom 7:12,14), the religious services
towards God (Heb 9:1), and the promises given to Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob (Gen 17:16-21; 26:3-5; 28:3-4). However, since salvation
and the promises are by the grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ,
it is both Jew and Gentile who turn in faith to God and courageously
endure in the Faith who become children of God and inheritors
with Jesus Christ (Heb 6:12; Rev 21:7).
Rom 9:6 says, "They are not all Israel who are of
Israel," nor are all the children born into the lineage of
Abraham the seed of Abraham. It is the children of Promise who
are counted as the seed, given the calling of God and eternal
promises (vv 7-8). Israelites who are not children of promise,
as Isaac was to Sarah and not Esau, who was born to Hagar, are
regarded as the kin of Esau, as Rom 9:9-13 and Mal 1:2-5
explain.
Implicit in Paul's comments, in Rom 9:14-24, such as, "Does
not the Potter have power over the clay?" (v 21), is God's
omniscience as to who will respond to God's calling and who will
successfully endure and overcome to the end (Mt 24:13). The vessels
of wrath prepared for destruction (v 22) are, like Cain, Esau,
Judas, those who reject the Way for self-will which they attribute
to their god, which the Almighty GOD, who examines the hearts
of all, foresees (Ps 7:9; 139:1-6; Jer 12:3). In His gracious
foreknowledge, God includes Gentiles who will inherit the promises
given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, then all Israel, but of whose
descendants only a remnant in Paul's day responded. That Remnant
is referred in Rom 9:6 as—They are not all Israel who
are of Israel. We might therefore say, "They are not
all Christians who are of Christianity."
Paul, apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13), expresses exhilaration
at God's purpose in saving all who will be saved. He interprets
Hos 2:23 and 1:10 in Rom 9:25-26.
Paul again interprets the OT message according to the Spirit of
Truth by citing Isaiah 10:22-23 and 1:9. The superb logic links
Hosea, Isaiah, and what Paul understands as his role in evangelization.
As he always does, Paul passionately appeals against resistance
to Jesus Christ, the Father's Rock of Salvation. Verses 9-10 plead
with us to openly confess the Name of Jesus Christ (for out of
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and out of the lack
of spiritual content in the heart the mouth is silent and ignorant
of knowledge about God and His Christ). Verses 11-13 repeat Paul's
assurance that every person, Israelite and non-Israelite alike,
who calls on the Name of Jesus Christ with understanding and Truth
will be saved.
Rom 10:13 quotes part of Joel 2:32. The context of the
whole verse is stunning:
Romans 10:19-21 sums up some of Paul's argument by telling
us that God provokes the arrogance of self-righteous Israel (Dt
32:21). Divided and scattered Israel typifies the broad spectrum
of Christianity and the provocation is by those who are a people
regarded as having little understanding (1Pet 2:10), not a nation,
but made into a holy nation by God (Rev 7:1-8; 14:1-4). Paul quotes
Is 65:1-2, which shows that Israel was sought out by God
(Dt 7:6-7) but rejected His Law and despised His promises (Dt
9:7,24; 31:29; Is 5:24-25; Jer 6:16-19; 1Pet 2:7-8). In contrast,
the people who were not a special nation, were not culturally
aware of the true God, miraculously found Him and began to obey
Him in sincerity and Truth.
Romans 11 takes us deeper into the subject of who are called
and how they are made into a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, God's own special people, who were not a people
nor a nation, for they are from all nations and peoples, but are
now being made into the children of the Almighty Father (see Ex
19:3-6; 1Pet 2:9-10; Rev 1:5-6; 5:9-10; 1Jn 3:1-3).
In the seemingly despairing knowledge that so few will be saved
(1Pet 4:17-18; Lk 10:10-12; 18:8), Paul asks, "Has God cast
away his people" (Rom 11:1)? No! God in His foreknowledge
has others (v 2; 8:29-30; Eph 1:3-14), a Remnant, who refuse to
bow the knee to Baal (vv 2-6). Paul's mind is on Elijah's despair
and his being told by the pre-incarnate Jesus that there were
7000 others who were faithful to God (described in 1Ki 19:13-18).
Israel has not obtained what she ignorantly seeks (v 7), but the
elect of God have, and the rest are spiritually hardened, having
a veil of blindness over their eyes. They have ears that cannot
hear and eyes that cannot see (v 8)—Paul refers to Moses and Isaiah
(Dt 29:4; Is 6:9-10; 29:9-16; see also Jer 5:20-21; 6:10; Ezk
12:2).
The apostle's vehemence against human self-will that resists the
Gospel is reflected in his citing David's words from Ps 69 (vv
22-23) which includes descriptions of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion,
His rejection by His own people, His betrayal by Judas and those
like the traitor.
In Rom 11:15 we're told that the firstfruits, e.g., Abel,
Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others, are holy and the
roots of the olive tree of Israel are holy. Verses 17-24
speak of the olive tree of Israel stripped of many branches having
wild branches, typifying the non-Israelite peoples of the world,
grafted into this Tree of Life. The remnant olive tree of Israel
has remnants of the nations grafted in. And, similarly,
those of Israel who subsequently repent will be grafted in (vv
23-24). "Take away the branches" off the olive tree
of Israel, says Jer 5:10. These would be replaced with
new branches grafted in from among the Gentiles.
Paul dealt with a spiritual arrogance within the Church of God
in Rome which was fed by the selfishness that fewer Israelites
were called. He reminded them that hardening of the heart has
happened to Israel until the Will of God in the calling of the
Gentiles is fulfilled (vv 25-28).
Israel's hatred of the Gospel (v 28) provides opportunity both
for the Gospel going to all the world and expression for God's
mercy in that His love is always extended to those He first calls
(Dt 7:7-8; 10:12-16; and please see Is 5:25-26; 9:12-21; 10:1-4,
which provide cultural and spiritual background as to why Paul
says what he says). However, if the Gospel is knowingly rejected
then there is no second calling (v 29). Gifts given by God cannot
come back to Him void of increase (v 29; Mt 25:18,24-28). God's
mercy is open to all (vv 30-32). And not surprisingly, Paul concludes
this sub-topic with:
We've looked at Jesus' and NT apostolic teaching about the Remnant.
Let's look at Isaiah's OT view.
ISAIAH SPEAKS ABOUT THE REMNANT
Isaiah's prophetic gift takes him to the time when the remnant
of Zion and Jerusalem (Is 4:2-6) lives under the full protection
of the Rock of Israel just as the tribes did during the Exodus:
Zechariah and Ezekiel seem to speak of this particular tenth,
or Remnant. Ezekiel was asked to shave off his hair and beard
(symbolic of shame and being in the hands of captors) and weigh
it out exactly into thirds (5:1). Each third represents the people
of Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. Two-thirds are destroyed. The
final third is scattered to the wind with destruction pursuing
them (5:2). A small number of the final third are wrapped in the
prophet's garment and some of these are thrown into fire (5:3-4).
In case this was not grasped it is repeated.
Isaiah, whose name means, Salvation is from Yah, went with
his son, Shear-Jashub, whose name means, A Remnant Shall Return,
to meet the king. War and conquest would take place but eventually
the Saviour and Messiah would come and a Remnant would be the
survivors of these historical processes (see Is 8:16-20 which
speaks of disciples who have the Law, the Testimony of Jesus
Christ, and the Light of God [see Rev 12:17; 19:10]).
Is 10:20-22 strongly affirms that a Remnant will return
despite the end-time destruction from which they will be saved
(see Dan 11:32-35; 12:1,7). The outcasts and the dispersed
will be gathered from the four corners of the earth, as Is
11:12,16 assure us.
Is 16:1-5 has been used by some weak in biblical understanding
as a supposed proof that a remnant church, Philadelphia
(Rev 3:7), would be taken to "A Place of Safety",
Petra or Sela in Jordan (using Rev 12:14, but ignoring
any exposition of Rev 12:6 and its impact on v 14). The context
for Is 16 follows from Is 14, where the fate of Satan,
Babylon, Assyria, Philistia (from which Palestine is derived)
are prophesied. Verse 32 asks the question: What answer will be
given to the messengers of Philistia (and by implication Babylon
and Assyria and other nations) when asked why most of their remnants
are to be slain (v 30)? Is 15 prophesies about Moab (see
Mal 1:2-5; Zeph 2:8-9; Dan 11:41) and concludes with "Lions
upon him who escapes from Moab and on the remnant of the land"
(v 9). Of course God saves any who break the bonds of their ungodly
culture, defy their nation's evils, and turn to God. Very few
do that.
May I recommend that readers see Is 16:1-5 in the NIV translation
with footnotes; the NJB and its footnotes; also see the NEB, NRSV,
NASB, NJPS. Moab in its dire desperation is prophesied to send
a plea for protection, young women with lambs (both symbolic),
to Mt Zion from which Jesus Christ will rule. "Hide and save
the outcast daughters of Moab" "from the Destroyer",
Zion is asked (vv 3-4). The plea succeeds, for "the remnant
of Moab will be very small and feeble" (v 16). This prophetic
account illustrates that though God justly rages against the evils
of whole nations, His mercy is stretched out still to save the
few who turn to Him in sincerity and truth. Is 16 is not about
a remnant finding refuge in Petra in the territory of Moab, rather
about a Moabite remnant seeking refuge in Zion.
The spiritual drunkards of Ephraim who have made a covenant with
death (see Is 28:1,7-8,14-20; 56:9-12) are utterly rejected, yet
Ephraim is viewed as firstborn (Jer 31:9; Ex 4:22; Hos 11:1-3).
The Remnant, zealous for justice and courageous at the gate
where the enemy enters to destroy, are strengthened by the LORD
of hosts, as Is 28:5-6 tells us. Who fights for Truth?
In the context of Sennacherib's blasphemous extermination threats
against Jerusalem in 701BC and perhaps finally
in 688 (see John Bright's, A History of Israel, Westminster
Press, 1981; pp 298-309), and seeing the events as prophetic parable,
God promises that a remnant will escape (Is 37:31-32),
just as does the Remnant at the end which has the Law of God and
Testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:17).
The Remnant of the Israel of God will be gathered. They have their
names in the Book of Life and their lives are precious to God
(Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27). Please notice these beautiful
verses:
Jeremiah's jeremiads, though pessimistic and fearfully threatening,
are balanced against hope and promise, as this example shows:
Why do such things happen? Because most people prefer smooth
words, falsehoods, and self-deceptions to the power and sound-mindedness
of the Word of the LORD which demands godly courage, coherent
thought and righteous motives, a hunger and thirst after righteousness,
enduring overcoming, and spiritual growth in the grace and knowledge
of Jesus Christ (Please consider Jer 5:30-31; 8:8-9; 13:24-25;
14:14; 23:26-29).
Though Ezk 6:7-14 with Dan 11:32-35 and 12:1-7 are frightening
prophecies, the Remnant who walk as Jesus has shown and shows
by the Spirit of Truth will be provided sanctuary and holiness
in their fellowship wherever they might be—for this is promised
in Ezk 11:16 and Ps 90:1 (also see Ps 91:9-16; Is 8:14-15; Jer
29:11-13).
This theme of zeal for God but with the revelation of the grace
and knowledge of Jesus Christ and Truth by the Spirit of the Almighty
GOD is expressed passionately in
The effects of scattering God's sheep by many false prophets (Mt
24:4-5; Mk 13:5-6; Lk 21:9; 2Thess 2:3; 1Tim 4:1-2; 2Tim 3:1,13;
2Pet 2:1-3), hireling shepherds (Jn 10:12-13), and spiritual leaders
who are dogs who cannot bark (as Is 56:9-10 calls them; 29:9-10,13)
are obvious. But personal responsibility in fighting for righteousness,
overturning tables in the temple, and shouting out the sins of
Jacob don't seem to be obvious. Irresponsibility towards the Truth
is not shouted at the lying, deceitful, fraudulent shepherds as
Jesus did in Mt 23 and Jn 8. So it is no wonder that there is
so little faith, that there is so little of the Faith, as Lk 18:8
foretells, that the righteous are scarcely saved, as 1Pet 4:18
says (LXX of Prov 11:31).
Amos also has much to say. A couple of examples are:
Micah gives us a wonderful perspective on Christ's miracles of
healing the lame, blind, deaf, and feeding the lost sheep.
And Zech 8:6-13 says: This is what the LORD of hosts says:
'If it is marvelous in the eyes of the Remnant of this people
in these days, will it also be marvelous in My eyes?' says the
LORD of hosts. 7 This is what the LORD of hosts says: 'Behold,
I will save My people from the land of the east and from the land
of the west; 8 I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in
the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be
their God, in Truth and Righteousness.' 9 This is what the LORD
of hosts says: 'Let your hands be strong, you who
have been hearing in these days these words by the mouth of the
prophets, who spoke in the day the foundation was laid for the
House of the LORD of hosts, that the temple might be built. 10
For before these days there were no wages for man nor any hire
for beast; there was no peace from the enemy for whoever went
out or came in; for I set all men, everyone, against his neighbour
(i.e., irreconcilable divisions amongst churches and people).
11 But now I will not treat the Remnant of this people as in the
former days,' says the LORD of hosts. 12 'For the seed shall
be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall
give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; I will
cause the Remnant of this people to possess all these. 13 And
it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the
nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel (for divisions will
end), so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Don't
be afraid, and let your hands be strong!'
The healing that is needed is greater than the healing of the
lame, blind, deaf. The healing of the spiritually-maimed, spiritually-confused,
spiritually-blind is a mighty work and so much has yet to be done.
May GOD hasten the day and prepare those who will help in the
gathering of the Remnant and thus fulfill the heart's desire of
the faithful: "Your Kingdom, our GOD and Father, come!"
Our Internet web site, which represents what we believe, has a
page entitled "Who Are We?" which includes these paragraphs:
The Bible indicates that scattered around the earth are others
who are whole-hearted and hunger after the righteousness manifested
by the Son of God. We experience that God is good, merciful, gracious,
and will find some faithful (Lk 18:8; Is 54:1-8; Rev 19:7-10).
Firmly believing that God gives gifts in the Body of Jesus Christ,
that He nourishes and prospers His people spiritually, we are
confronted with how to apply 1Cor 12 and how to extend edifying
fellowship in today's spiritually-starved and alienated 'global
village' (Heb 10:23-25; 12:22-23).
The key assumption in these expressions of identity and direction
is that God has deeply-committed brethren scattered around the
earth and that He will gather them together. That assumption has
its primary basis in the magnificent words of the Good Shepherd
in Jn 10.
Jn 10:14-16 I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep, and
I am known by My own (i.e., those who recognize the Voice of the
Good Shepherd hunger and thirst after righteousness and zealously
seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ). 15 As
the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; I lay down My
life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep which
are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will
hear My Voice; and there will be one Flock and one Shepherd.
The children of God are scattered, dispersed, separated all over
the earth, as many prophecies and current trends show (e.g.,
Jer 23, Ezk 13 & 34). We'll consider some of these prophecies
and their application to us. Since the Bible has so much to say
about the Remnant, I cannot use all the biblical references,
for at least a book would need to be written to explain them.
When we consider what Jesus Christ did during his ministry, then
look at who and how many were with him at the crucifixion, his
time of great need, we might despair of man. Christ prophesied
of this desertion and scattering in Mt 26:31, Mk 14:27, Jn 16:32.
The OT reference Christ partly quoted is from Zech 13:7-9. When
we likewise consider what Paul did during his apostolic ministry,
what do we conclude in hearing him say in his last epistle written
from prison in Rome just before he was murdered at the hands of
Nero?
This you all know, that all those in Asia have turned away from
me (2Tim 1:15; i.e., throughout the western parts of land called
Turkey today; see Rev 2 & 3).
These two examples give us a sense of what is meant by the Remnant.
It seems despairing and justifies Christ's rhetorical question
in Lk 18:8: "When the Son of Man comes will He find the Faith
on the earth?" Yes He will! But "Will I be faithful
to the Faith?", is the question each of us needs to answer
for ourselves.
Mt 9:36-38 When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with
compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like
sheep having no shepherd.
How ironic that Jesus regarded the crowds who had come to hear
His Gospel as sheep without a shepherd. What was the then current
religious establishment doing? In Mt 10:6 and 15:24 we read that
Jesus told his apostles to gather and tend to the lost sheep (Mt
18:10-14).
37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful,
but the workers are few. 38 Therefore pray to the Lord of the
harvest to send out workers into His harvest."
With all the Christian churches seeking to do parts of the Will
of God and His Christ, seeking opportunities to preach aspects
of the Gospel of salvation to the lost sheep, why is it they cannot
combine their efforts in one Name? Is Christ divided? Christ answers
this question in Mt 12 in the context that every kingdom and house
that is divided is brought to desolation (Mt 12:25-29; Lk 11:17-22).
Divided Christianity will utterly fall, like all empires.
In Jn 10:11-16 Jesus says to us "I am the Good Shepherd.
The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling
(Jesus is speaking in proverb and parable), he who is not a shepherd,
who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep
and flees; the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The
hireling flees because he is a hireling and doesn't care about
the sheep. 14 I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and am known
by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father;
and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep which
are not of this fold; I must also bring them. They will hear My
Voice (the Gospel of GOD and not of men) and there will be (eventually)
one Flock and one Shepherd.
Today there are many flocks considered as sheep of Jesus
Christ but wolves, false prophets, and lying shepherds exercise
Gentile rule over them (Please listen to the message, "Where
Have All the Shepherds Gone?").
Jn 11:51-52 Now this he did not say on his own authority;
but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would
die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also
that He would gather together in one the children of God who were
scattered abroad.
APOSTOLIC TEACHING ABOUT THE REMNANT
When the Sanhedrin murdered Stephen (the full account is in Acts
7:1-8:3), Saul was given further impetus for his zealous persecution.
In consequence, Christians scattered and preached the Gospel
everywhere they went, as Acts 8:4 says. Scattered is diasparentes
in Greek, which is from diaspora, dispersion, and occurs
in Acts 11:19: 'Now those who were scattered after the
persecution that arose over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia
(Lebanon), Cyprus, and Antioch (in Syria), evangelized only to
the Jews.' Jews who had become Christians when dispersed from
Judea taught the Gospel to Jews of the Diaspora, i.e., Jews who
had been dispersed generally as a result of war and captivity.
The power and clarity Peter expresses using interpretative linkages
to the OT are amazing.
1Pet 2:5-10 You also, as living stones (in contrast to
the former tribes of Israel and the temple of stone), are being
built up into a spiritual House (Eph 2:19-22; Christ's
House, whose house we are; Heb 3:4-6), a holy priesthood
(lost by Israel from the promise in Ex 19:4-6), to offer up
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
(Rom 12:1). 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
"Behold, I lay in Zion a chief Cornerstone, elect, precious,
and he who believes in Him will by no means be put to shame"
(Is 28:16). 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but
to those who are disobedient, "The Stone which the builders
rejected has become the chief Cornerstone" (Ps 118:22), 8
and "A Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense" (Is
8:14,15-18). They stumble, being disobedient to the Word, to which
they also were appointed.
The truth about who Jesus was and is, the truth of what He taught
and teaches, the truth about what He will be and do so few seem
to know, for few lives reflect that knowledge and grace.
9 You are a chosen generation (cf. Dt 10:15-16; Is 43:20-21),
a royal priesthood (as Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:4,6 say), a holy nation
(Dt 7:6-7), His own special people (Ps 135:4; Jer 2:3;
Tit 2:14), that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called
you out of Darkness into His marvelous Light; 10 who once were
not a people (Hos 1:9-10) but are now the people of God
(Hos 2:23), who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Please also see and consider Is 49:6; 63:17; Ezk 37:19; Rev 21:12,
which help define the tribes of Israel—the Israel of God wherein
is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, slave nor free.
1Pet 2:25 says: For you were like sheep going astray (both
Jew and Gentile), but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer
(episkopos; one who cares for and visits attentively to
the real needs of your life).
In view of these points and more, we'll see Jas 1:1 and 1Pet 1:1
for what they mean.
Jas 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus
Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad
(from the NT Gk: in the Diaspora): Greetings.
Heb 11 speaks of all the faithful down through the ages to the
apostolic age as pilgrims, sojourners, those who live in tents,
who wait for Mount Zion, the City of God (Ps 87:1-2; Heb 11:9-10,13-16;
Ps 39:12; Gen 47:9; 1Pet 2:11-12). They were so often singularly
isolated, alone, dispersed, waiting for their spiritual descendants,
waiting for the gathering of all the saints into the Kingdom
of GOD and His Christ. How do we identify with these wonderful
men and women as listed and implicitly included in Heb 11?
1Pet 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims
of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia.
How often I've said and will continue to say: I am overawed
by the power, the beauty, the coherence of the Word of God!
The more I overcome the ideological influences of past falsehoods
the more there is to see and hear by the Spirit of God. And Paul's
epistle to the Church of God in Rome illustrates this extraordinarily
(Rom 10:15).
Hos 2:23 I will sow her for Myself in the earth, and I
will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will
say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And
they shall say, 'You are my God!'"
This is prophecy about integrating Gentiles into the Israel of
God.
Hos 1:10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel
shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered.
Does this mean that the number saved will be vast and uncountable,
or does it mean that humanly we cannot know how many will be saved?
I think the latter on the basis of Scripture, as you'll also see.
Hos 1:10b And it shall come to pass in the place where
it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' there it shall be
said to them, 'You are sons of the living God' (bene
elim; Ps 29:1; 89:6; cp. bene elohim; Gen 6:2,4; Job
1:6; 2:1; 38:7).
How well do we comprehend that the children of God, the firstfruits
of God, are from all peoples, all nations, all languages (Ps 96:3,10,13;
Is 2:2-4; Dan 7:14; Mk 13:10; Lk 24:47; Rom 1:5; 16:26; Rev 10:11),
for God is not a respecter of persons or peoples, as He wants
all to be saved who turn to His salvation (Acts 10:34-35)?
Rom 9:27-29 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though
the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea
(which was promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), the Remnant will
be saved. 28 For He will finish the work (i.e., to believe
in the One the Father sent; Jn 6:29) and cut it short in righteousness,
because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth."
29 And as Isaiah said before: "Unless the LORD of hosts had
left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would
have been made like Gomorrah (Is 1:9; i.e., doomed to destruction)."
In verses 30-33 the apostle explains that since Israel did not
seek the Law with spiritual understanding and application
and faith, they inevitably stumbled over the Rock and are therefore
put to shame.
Rom 10 develops the themes further. As in 9:1, Paul's heart's
desire and prayer is that all Israel should be saved. For that
purpose God sent His Son as the Lamb of redemption for not just
those in Israel who would be saved, but also for all those among
all nations who would make up the Remnant, the firstfruits (Jas
1:18; 1Cor 15:20,23; Rev 14:4).
Israel has a zeal for God but it is not according to the knowledge
of Jesus Christ (10:2; 2Pet 3:18). She is ignorant of God's
righteousness (v 3). She seeks to establish her own rules of righteousness,
as most religious groups do. They refuse to submit to obedience
of every Word of God and the righteousness of the Almighty Father.
Please carefully note that Rom 10:4 tells us that the
end purpose or perfect achievement of the Law is manifested by
and in Jesus Christ (TDNT, VIII.49-87). Moses
understood the spirituality of the Law (v 5) and it was Israel's
irrational resistance that fed their large-scale rejection of
what Moses taught (Please consider Dt 31:20-21,29; 32:5-6,15-21,29,43).
Joel 2:32 It shall come to pass that whoever calls on the
Name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion (the spiritual
entity that seeks the future City of God) and in Jerusalem (those
who seek sharing and fellowship in the Body of Christ)—there shall
be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the Remnant whom the
LORD calls.
But how shall it be that any might call on the Name of the Lord
in sincerity and Truth (v 14)? And how will people believe in
Him whom they don't know nor have heard? And how shall they hear
unless a preacher of the Gospel is sent by God (vv 14-15)?
Paul interprets Is 53:1 in Rom 10:16 with the question,
"Who will believe the Gospel?" Faith, a gift
of God, is aroused by hearing the true Gospel and hearing is aroused
by the Word of God in those who are called to receive the Holy
Spirit (v 17; and see 1Cor 2:10-14). The prophetic promise
of the children of God being like the stars in the heavens in
number (Gen 15:5) is used in terms of the sending the Message
to all the world (Ps 19:1-4; Gen 12:3; 22:18; Rom 10:18).
And perhaps ironically, if one has the right equipment, viz.,
a radio telescope, one can hear the sounds of the stellar bodies
sending out their signals to all the universe. And if one has
the right equipment from God, ears that can hear and eyes that
can see spiritual things, then one will hear the voices of any
who are the children of God sharing their gifts of the Gospel
(1Cor 12).
Rom 11:10 "Let their eyes be darkened that they may
not see (for since they reject seeing, let them be deep in darkness
because they just might be aroused from their utter gloom), and
bow down their backs always (in abject slavery to their hardened
hearts, for in their utter misery they might seek the joy of the
Gospel and have their heads raised to look on things above)."
Is this stumbling and fall of the Jews purposeless (a type of
the stumbling and fall of most of humanity)? No, for God wants
all to be saved, but all will not choose salvation—a Remnant will.
If the sins of blindness of the Jews means that Gentiles are evangelized
for salvation and currently outnumber Jews, what happens when
many Jews in their shame and jealousy repent of their sins and
turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and all
the righteous prophets? This is the essential meaning of Rom
11:12-15. What will happen when the eyes and ears of Israel
are willingly circumcized? Paul rejoices in the greater hope of
salvation for as many as possible both of Jews and Gentiles.
Rom 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom
and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His
ways past finding out! 34 For who has known the mind of the LORD?
Or who has become His counselor (Is 40:13-14; Jer 23:18; Job 36:22-23)?
35 Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him
(Job 41:11)? 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all
things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Scripture, according to inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reveals
the mind of God.
In Rom 9:29 Paul referred to the Remnant by quoting from Is 1:9:
Unless the LORD of hosts had left us a Remnant we would become
like Sodom and Gomorrah. Total destruction is threatened unless
there is a Remnant. Is 65:8-9 and Mt 24:22 say, Unless those
days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's
sake those days will be shortened.
Is 4:5 speaks of the end when all the Remnant is gathered:
Then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount
Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the
shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the Glory there
will be a covering (of Light—and so reminiscent of the Exodus
experience).
There is allusion to the Remnant in Is 6:13. A tenth
(6:11-13; cp. Amos 5:3) will return to the God and Father of Jesus
Christ and be the holy seed of the Stump—the broken olive
tree of Israel and Judah. The Branch (Jesus Christ) will shoot
from the Stump of Jesse (Is 11:1).
Ezk 5:12 One-third of you shall die of the pestilence,
and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall
fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third
to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.
Immediately after the prophecy about Jesus being deserted at His
crucifixion (Zech 13:7; Mt 26:31), we read a prophecy that fits
what Ezekiel gave.
Zech 13:8-9 It shall come to pass in all the land,"
says the LORD, "that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and
die, but one-third shall be left in it: 9 I will bring the
one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver
is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on
My Name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people';
and each one will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"
The concept of Remnant is next addressed in the context
of war against Jerusalem in 734BC. Rezin,
king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, came with allied armies
against Judah and its king Ahaz (Is 7:1; 2Ki 16; 2Chr 28). In
desperation, the idolatrous Ahaz sent a plea for help to the king
of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727; a.k.a. Pul [2Ki 15:19]),
who was scheming to take the entire area. Isaiah understood the
power plays of the Middle East and knew that both Syria and Israel
were doomed to failure, for Assyria would conquer both (Israel
was utterly conquered in the three-year siege, 725-722BC,
by Shalmaneser and Sargon II; 2Ki 17:3-9). Judah's position should
be to stay out of the power struggles and make no alliances. Isaiah
met Ahaz outside the city walls either while the king was inspecting
the city's water supply or as he was leaving for Damascus to meet
the Assyrian conqueror (Is 7:3; 2Ki 16:7-10). The meeting was
full of symbolism and prophetic parable (see Is 7:1-25, esp. vv
14-15 which prophesy of the virgin who shall give birth to a Son).
Is 46:3-4 Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the Remnant
of the house of Israel, who have been borne by Me from your birth,
carried from the womb (cp Ps 139:13-16; Jer 1:5; Is 49:1-3); 4
even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray I will carry
you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
God tends to His sheep into their old age.
Is 44:1-3 But now hear, O Jacob My servant, Israel whom
I have chosen! 2 Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you
in the womb and will help you (Please also consider Is 49:4-6;
Ps 22:9-10; Col 1:15; Rev 3:14; 12:1-5): Do not fear, O Jacob
My servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water
on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour
My Spirit upon your (spiritual) descendants, and my blessing on
your offspring.
MORE FROM GOD'S PROPHETS
Is 44:24-26 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed
you in the womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone
stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth;
25 who frustrates the omens of liars, and makes fools of diviners;
who turns back the wise, and makes their knowledge foolish; 26
who confirms the word of his servant, and fulfills the prediction
of his messengers; who says of Jerusalem, "It shall be inhabited,"
and of the cities of Judah, "They shall be rebuilt, and I
will raise up their ruins" (and see Is 66:18-24).
Jeremiah has a lot to say on this subject, and I leave that to
those who hunger for truth to pursue further. However, I cannot
resist using some of his material to show how the Word of the
LORD is so beautifully coherent whereas the dogmas of false shepherds
are foolishness and contradiction, and that they are unjustly
angry when questioned about their stupid interpretations.
Jer 6:9-10 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "They shall
thoroughly glean as a vine the Remnant of Israel; as a
grape-gatherer, put your hand back into the branches." 10
To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Indeed
their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. Behold,
the Word of the LORD is a reproach to them; they have no delight
in it (except for the Remnant who will be gathered by the angels;
Mt 24:31,40-41; 25:32; Lk 17:34-37).
Jer 23 is one of the great chapters that condemns false shepherds
(as does Ezk 34).
Jer 23:1-4,20 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and
scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the LORD. 2 Therefore
thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed
My people: "You have scattered My Flock, driven them
away, and not attended to them (but they attend to themselves).
Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,"
says the LORD. 3 "But I will gather the Remnant of
My Flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring
them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they
shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,"
says the LORD.
Noah saw prophecy fulfilled but so few believed him. Jeremiah
saw prophecy fulfilled and few believed him. Jesus prophesied
about himself and few understood what He meant. So likewise, it
is not until the last days, when the Remnant is gathered that
so many will say: "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, haven't we done many
wonderful things in Your Name?" And Jesus will reply
to them, "I never knew you, get away from Me, you who do
works against the Law" (Mt 7:22-23; Ps 5:5-8; 6:8-10).
20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed
and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days
you will understand it perfectly.
Amos 5:14-15 Seek good and not evil, that you may live;
so the LORD God of hosts will be with you, as you have spoken.
15 Hate evil, love good (Ps 97:10; Rom 12:9), establish
justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will
be gracious to the Remnant of Joseph.
Salvation and deliverance are conditional on the internalization
and constant expression of love and passion for all that is good
and righteous in the eyes of God and passionate hatred for what
is evil in the eyes of God.
Amos 3:12 Thus says the LORD: "As a shepherd takes
from the mouth of a lion two legs or a piece of an ear, so shall
the children of Israel be taken out who dwell in Samaria; in the
corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch!
Can we imagine the details of partial survival as this verse so
graphically expresses? Evidently it's going to get very rough
for the Remnant at the end. They'll be saved—but just!
Amos 9:9-12 "For surely I will command, and will sift
the house of Israel among all nations, as grain is sifted in a
sieve (by scattering and purging); yet not the smallest grain
shall fall to the ground (to be lost, for those who grow in the
grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ will be saved). 10 All the
sinners of My people shall die by the sword, who say, 'The calamity
shall not overtake nor confront us.' 11 On that day I will raise
up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair
its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the
days of old; 12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and
all the Gentiles who are called by My Name," says the LORD
who does this thing.
Do we notice that a remnant of Edom is included into the Remnant?
James, at the historic gathering of apostles, elders and Jerusalem
church about 59AD, interpreted Amos 9:11-12:
Acts 15:15-17 And with this the words of the prophets agree,
just as it is written: 16 'After this I will return and will
rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will
rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; 17 so that the rest of
mankind may seek the LORD, even all the Gentiles who are called
by My Name, says the LORD who does all these things.'
The apostles and the church understood that the destroyed Tabernacle
of David was a parable that spoke of the work of restoration in
that Gentiles would be called into the sanctuary and would be
grafted into the House of Israel, as described in Rev 7:1-8 and
Gal 6:16.
Mic 4:6-9 "In that day," says the LORD, "I
will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom
I have afflicted; 7 I will make the lame a remnant, and
the outcast a strong nation (Are we not reminded
of 1Cor 2, where it says that not many mighty, not many noble,
but the weak and even the base would be transformed and called
into the Adoption?); as the LORD will reign over them in Mount
Zion from now on, even forever. 8 And you, O tower of the flock,
the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come,
even the former dominion shall come, the Kingdom of the
daughter of Jerusalem." 9 Now why do you cry aloud? Is there
no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished? For pangs
have seized you like a woman in labour.
The anguish of seeing so little happen at the hand of God feeds
doubt and confusion among the Remnant. Since there has been no
prophet or apostle sent by God for at least the past 100 years
(though many have claimed the titles), God must send His two prophets
(Rev 11), just as He sent Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, John the
Baptist, the Twelve, and Paul. And I'm not saying that no good
has been done by a few people who have attempted to serve God
on their own terms.
Mic 5:3-4 uses both frightening and encouraging words:
Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is
in labour has given birth (see Is 54:1-8 which begins: Sing
O barren, you who have not borne!); then the Remnant of His
brethren shall return to the children of Israel. 4 He shall stand
and feed His Flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty
of the Name of the LORD His God; and they shall abide, for now
He shall be great to the ends of the earth.
Let's conclude with references from Zephaniah and Zechariah.
Zeph 3:12 I will leave in your midst a meek and humble
people; they shall trust in the Name of the LORD.
CONCLUSION
Zeph 3:20 "At that time I will bring you back, even
at the time I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives
before your eyes," says the LORD.
Fear of wholeheartedly trusting in God and fear of trusting the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit have paralyzed too many into inaction
and/or foolish action. The cultures of various churches teach
their folk fear of men, which produces confusion, oppression,
and errors of all kinds. The children of God are thus left with
few if any skills in wise decision-making. They'd had courage
and all else bashed out of them other than a misguided zeal for
the 'government of their gods.'