God’s Remnant
Hello Saints,
The “Last Days” are described by both Jesus and the apostle Paul as dark and troubling days for those who are on the planet at the time. Jesus mentions deception and false prophets, global conflict and great national distress, persecution of those who follow Christ, as well as earthly and heavenly disturbances like stars falling from the sky and earthquakes (Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). Paul talks about an increase in lawlessness, rebellion against authority, self-centeredness, greed, disregard for others, immorality, idolatry, powerless religion, and the rise of a corrupt, anti-Christ world leader (2Tim. 3; 2Thess. 2). Fun times! We are seeing lots of this manifest in our own day, if we are honestly observing what is going on around us.
While all this is going on, there is a great falling away happening (2Thess. 2:3), where those we thought we’re part of us have gone out from among us, because they never were truly part of us (1John 2:19). Our enemies turn out to be those with whom we have been in relationship, members of our own spiritual and/or natural family (Matt. 10:36). With all that is against those who sincerely want to follow Christ, one can feel all alone - alone like Elijah felt living under Ahab and Jezebel’s rule characterized by corruption, idolatry and immorality. It was so bad that this great and mighty man of God actually wanted to die (1Kings 19). How bad does a society and/or people of God (church) have to be before an anointed, powerful prophet would rather die than continue living with an apostate murderous people? He honestly believes he is the only one left who worships the one true God. God’s response to his lament is encouraging and eye opening, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1Kings 19:18). “I have a people”, says the Lord! And in the very next chapter we see these chosen seven thousand assembled to fight against an enemy invasion, and they are victorious in battle (1Kings 20:15, 21).
The apostle Paul uses this very scripture to encourage those who think that God has abandoned His chosen people, the Jews in Romans 11:4, “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” When it looks like God has defaulted on His plans, Paul reminds the Roman church that God is in control. He has a plan, His ways are not our ways, we cannot know the mind of God but must trust in God’s sovereign plan (Romans 11:33-36). God is working behind the scenes. He has assembled an army. He has a remnant, a people who are still loyal, faithful soldiers. When those in the Roman church feel like God has forgotten His chosen Jewish people, Paul assures them that He has not for he himself is a Jew whom God has saved and brought into the kingdom: “God has not cast away His people, because I am a Jew, and I am saved” (My paraphrase of Rom. 11:1-3). God has a remnant He has kept for himself! Paul chose to not look at the physical situation before him, but to trust God and His plan, and His word.
When he was in Corinth, Paul tried preaching to the Jews in the synagogue, but they opposed him and blasphemed (Acts 18:6). So, he went next door to Crispus’ house and he and his whole household believed in Christ as did other Corinthians, and they were baptized. And best of all, Jesus appears and speaks to Paul these encouraging words, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10). In other words, “I have a remnant in this city!” Be encouraged Paul; like Elijah, you’re not alone; God has a plan and a people!
For those of us who have decided to follow God/Christ, there has always been the need to separate ourselves from the world and its kingdom of darkness run by Satan, and identify ourselves with the Son of God and His kingdom. If we are truly faithful to scripture, the reality is that we are no longer part of the world (John 15:19; James 4:4) but have been transferred into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:13), where an army has been assembled. An army who has died to the things of this world, been forgiven of their sins, washed in the blood of the Lamb, clothed with power from on high through Holy Spirit, who fight, not with worldly weapons but with spiritual ones (2Cor. 10:4-6), tearing down whatever ideologies, mindsets and beliefs go against the knowledge of God and His Christ. The church of Jesus Christ is those who have been redeemed and equipped with the full armor of God, those who are strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph. 6:10), able to stand against all the attack of the enemy and remain standing no matter how violent the attack gets. We are the Church that Jesus is building, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against us (Matt. 16:18). We have been assembled supernaturally by God to advance the kingdom with force, knowing there will be opposition, but we are those who persevere, armed with signs and wonders and the word of God, forcefully advancing until the mission is accomplished (Matt. 11:12; Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20). God has a people; He always has a people He has chosen and set apart to fight the battle, advance the kingdom, with which to turn the world upside down. Oh friends, if you are reading this and are truly one of Jesus’s followers who want to advance His kingdom by making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey (Matt 28:18-20), you are that chosen remnant, that people that God has reserved for Himself to bring in the end-time harvest, who will also remain faithful during all that the bible predicts will happen in the last days in which we find ourselves. We are those who want to remain dressed in the full armor of God, going into battle with our God and King to advance His kingdom. He is with us, and in us, empowering us to fight a battle He has already won.
We are the remnant who persevere, and don’t give up. We will continue to believe the promises, even when in the natural, nothing makes sense. We were called to count the cost, to bear the cross, to trust the Lord and walk the walk – to be All In! We are not afraid because we walk by faith with our God at the head, keeping our eyes on Jesus pressing on to lay hold of that for which He laid hold of us (Phil. 3:12). And, we have the testimony of a myriad of saints who have gone before us and their stories, like Abraham, Noah, Paul, Peter, Jonathan Goforth, Jim Elliott, Brother Andrew, Billy Graham, etc. etc. etc. We are God’s remnant, whom God has kept for Himself, and we are more than conquerors! And…we win! Fight the good fight, press on, finish the race. Be faithful even until death, and you will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10), when Jesus receives you into our heavenly abode and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant - Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world (Matt. 25:21, 34). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
Be Blessed!
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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