The Remnant
A remnant is defined as a small surviving group of people. It is sometimes defined as something left over. At other times it is defined as a leftover piece of fabric remaining after the rest has been used up or sold.
Throughout the course of the history of mankind, God has always left a remnant.
Noah and his family were the remnant saved of the millions on the earth before the flood.
Genesis 6:11(NIV) Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
Elijah voiced despair to God that he was the only one left in Israel who had not bowed down to idols but God assured him that He had reserved a remnant of 7,000 others “whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”
1 Kings 19:18 (NKJV) “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
In Isaiah 6:13, God explains his plan for a remnant (holy seed) of faithful followers. God sent Isaiah to speak to the people knowing only a few or a remnant would listen.
Isaiah 6:13 (MSG) The country will look like pine and oak forest with every tree cut down— Every tree a stump, a huge field of stumps. But there’s a holy seed in those stumps.”
Romans 11:5 (NKJV) “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
God’s remnant is those who understand they are saved by grace and not by works. God’s remnant is those who acknowledge God in all their ways. God’s remnant is those who are blessed beyond measure despite their failures and weaknesses. They are blessed because they are pleasing to God because of their faith.
Acts 15:16-18 (NKJV) ‘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.’
God has called us in this day the remnant to stand as a light of the earth, “that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish”
Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV) “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
Those who have remained true to God in all circumstances, are the true remnant. When everyone else compromises his or her principles, the faithful are the ones who overcome Satan.