What should be the use of the term remnant for believers in the New Testament church?
There has been renewed interest by some ministries in suggesting that God is calling and using a remnant. Thus, the topic this week is to analyze the term remnant and describe how it should be applied to the church.
It is noted that the 7th Day Adventists consider themselves the “remnant church of biblical prophecy.” Perspective Digest : On Being the Remnant While some may take issue with this, I do not address this denomination directly. Instead, I am seeking to describe what the remnant means in today's context by various evangelicals.
I once was involved in a church youth group where the leader became so frustrated that he basically divided the group into those that were serious and those that were not. In a sense, the serious believers were called the remnant and the others were simply assumed to be less interested. While I am certain this was meant to inspire, the opposite occurred as the non-remnant group was to an extent resentful and there was an uneasiness in the entire youth group. I only mention this because, there are some now in the body of Christ that try to describe themselves and followers as a more serious subset of Christians, some specifically calling themselves the remnant.
Another type of use of the concept remnant comes primarily from those who hold end-time views that Christians are going to gain dominion as the remnant rises up and becomes predominate before the return of Jesus. Until the tribulation, though, there is no scriptural support of this type of subset of Christians either.
While the Hebrew words for remnant are used dozens of times in the Old Testament, it is limited to six times in the New Testament in the King James version.
1. Matthew 22:6 (3062) is the parable of the King and his son's wedding. From the pulpit commentary: “The remnant. These form the second class of recalcitrant guests. They are actively hostile to the King and his messengers, rejecting them not merely for worldly or interested motives, but from intense hatred to the doctrines which they taught.”
2. Romans 9:25-27 (2640) (KJV) 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
3. Romans 11: 3-5 (3005) (KJV) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
4. Revelation 11:13 (3062) (KJV) And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. According to Barnes, “And the remnant were affrighted - Fear and alarm came on them in consequence of these calamities. The "remnant" here refers to those who still remained in the "city" - that is, to those who belonged to the community or people designed to be represented here by the city.” Barnes furthermore, suggests these people stood in awe at God's power but did not necessarily repent. In no way does this suggest a subset of the church.
5. Revelation 12:17 (3062) (KJV) 17 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. Here we do have what many feel is a reference to those that are strongest in faith. Matthew Poole's Commentary suggests “And went to make war with the remnant of her seed; he gives over his design to ruin the whole church, as not practicable, but resolves to do all the mischief he could to the remnant of her seed, to particular Christians; those especially, which kept closest to the doctrine of faith...”
6. Revelation 19:21 (3062) (KJV) 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. From the Pulpit Commentary “The remnant; that is, the adherents of the beast, the "armies" of ver. 19. (For this description of Christ, see vers. 11, 15.) Spiritual death is inflicted upon those who have proved themselves hostile to God. “ Obviously, the remnant here is certainly is not a subset of the church.
The Strong's numbers are in parentheses.
3062 is loipos, which can mean “remaining ones :- other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.”
2640 is kataleimma which means remainder
3005 is leimma, which aso means remainder or what is left.
Interestingly, those who consider themselves per-tribulation and possibly mid-tribulation believers do not have a single new testament scripture that refers to them as anything but the remnant of grace. This is because Revelations 12:17 is once again reverting back to Jews and similar to the Old Testament, there remains a subset that is termed the remnant.
It has been shown that the use of the term remnant in the New Testament refers to all believers. Other New Testament scriptures bear this out. If you are saved, you have the election of grace. Furthermore, all the parts of the body are important.
1 Corinthians 12:18-25 (KJV) 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Thus, use of the term “remnant” for the church period, should signify the entire body. To consider yourself a “subset” of the body and a special remnant has no scriptural basis and may be divisive. Yes, the concept remains during the period of the Jews before Christ and during the tribulation. On the basis of the New Testament how can one judge themselves or others a part of the remnant? Especially since God gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7 (KJV) 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. And
1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (KJV)
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Of course, there is variance in the commitment of believers. Paul even does judge gross sin in the Corinthian church and warns us of fellowshipping with wicked people.
1 Corinthians 5:13 (KJV) 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
This is not to say either that the bible makes no distinguishments of believers.Truly exceptional believers are full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Additionally, there are differing gifts, offices and callings in the Lord but these or others do not make anyone a part of the remnant.
Acts 11:24 (KJV) 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
It is understandable that different assumptions on end times beliefs may use the term remnant in what they feel is a proper context. However, we are not in the tribulation period, so this seems premature at best. Creating subjective categories or concepts to raise one group of born again believers up versus another can be hurtful. God certainly meets us where we are and has a long-term plan for each of us. May we all be encouraged, that we are one in Christ, and all a remnant according to grace.
Galatians 3:28-29 (KJV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
There has been renewed interest by some ministries in suggesting that God is calling and using a remnant. Thus, the topic this week is to analyze the term remnant and describe how it should be applied to the church.
It is noted that the 7th Day Adventists consider themselves the “remnant church of biblical prophecy.” Perspective Digest : On Being the Remnant While some may take issue with this, I do not address this denomination directly. Instead, I am seeking to describe what the remnant means in today's context by various evangelicals.
I once was involved in a church youth group where the leader became so frustrated that he basically divided the group into those that were serious and those that were not. In a sense, the serious believers were called the remnant and the others were simply assumed to be less interested. While I am certain this was meant to inspire, the opposite occurred as the non-remnant group was to an extent resentful and there was an uneasiness in the entire youth group. I only mention this because, there are some now in the body of Christ that try to describe themselves and followers as a more serious subset of Christians, some specifically calling themselves the remnant.
Another type of use of the concept remnant comes primarily from those who hold end-time views that Christians are going to gain dominion as the remnant rises up and becomes predominate before the return of Jesus. Until the tribulation, though, there is no scriptural support of this type of subset of Christians either.
While the Hebrew words for remnant are used dozens of times in the Old Testament, it is limited to six times in the New Testament in the King James version.
1. Matthew 22:6 (3062) is the parable of the King and his son's wedding. From the pulpit commentary: “The remnant. These form the second class of recalcitrant guests. They are actively hostile to the King and his messengers, rejecting them not merely for worldly or interested motives, but from intense hatred to the doctrines which they taught.”
2. Romans 9:25-27 (2640) (KJV) 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
3. Romans 11: 3-5 (3005) (KJV) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
4. Revelation 11:13 (3062) (KJV) And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. According to Barnes, “And the remnant were affrighted - Fear and alarm came on them in consequence of these calamities. The "remnant" here refers to those who still remained in the "city" - that is, to those who belonged to the community or people designed to be represented here by the city.” Barnes furthermore, suggests these people stood in awe at God's power but did not necessarily repent. In no way does this suggest a subset of the church.
5. Revelation 12:17 (3062) (KJV) 17 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. Here we do have what many feel is a reference to those that are strongest in faith. Matthew Poole's Commentary suggests “And went to make war with the remnant of her seed; he gives over his design to ruin the whole church, as not practicable, but resolves to do all the mischief he could to the remnant of her seed, to particular Christians; those especially, which kept closest to the doctrine of faith...”
6. Revelation 19:21 (3062) (KJV) 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. From the Pulpit Commentary “The remnant; that is, the adherents of the beast, the "armies" of ver. 19. (For this description of Christ, see vers. 11, 15.) Spiritual death is inflicted upon those who have proved themselves hostile to God. “ Obviously, the remnant here is certainly is not a subset of the church.
The Strong's numbers are in parentheses.
3062 is loipos, which can mean “remaining ones :- other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.”
2640 is kataleimma which means remainder
3005 is leimma, which aso means remainder or what is left.
Interestingly, those who consider themselves per-tribulation and possibly mid-tribulation believers do not have a single new testament scripture that refers to them as anything but the remnant of grace. This is because Revelations 12:17 is once again reverting back to Jews and similar to the Old Testament, there remains a subset that is termed the remnant.
It has been shown that the use of the term remnant in the New Testament refers to all believers. Other New Testament scriptures bear this out. If you are saved, you have the election of grace. Furthermore, all the parts of the body are important.
1 Corinthians 12:18-25 (KJV) 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Thus, use of the term “remnant” for the church period, should signify the entire body. To consider yourself a “subset” of the body and a special remnant has no scriptural basis and may be divisive. Yes, the concept remains during the period of the Jews before Christ and during the tribulation. On the basis of the New Testament how can one judge themselves or others a part of the remnant? Especially since God gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7 (KJV) 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. And
1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (KJV)
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Of course, there is variance in the commitment of believers. Paul even does judge gross sin in the Corinthian church and warns us of fellowshipping with wicked people.
1 Corinthians 5:13 (KJV) 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
This is not to say either that the bible makes no distinguishments of believers.Truly exceptional believers are full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Additionally, there are differing gifts, offices and callings in the Lord but these or others do not make anyone a part of the remnant.
Acts 11:24 (KJV) 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
It is understandable that different assumptions on end times beliefs may use the term remnant in what they feel is a proper context. However, we are not in the tribulation period, so this seems premature at best. Creating subjective categories or concepts to raise one group of born again believers up versus another can be hurtful. God certainly meets us where we are and has a long-term plan for each of us. May we all be encouraged, that we are one in Christ, and all a remnant according to grace.
Galatians 3:28-29 (KJV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
