1646. The Tribulation Remnant
The Tribulation Remnant
"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" (Rev_12:17).
There are a number of remnants which may be found in the Book of Revelation, but we will follow for this study only that remnant known as Israel.
1. The Sin of End-Times
The whole earth once more will be corrupted, as it was corrupted in the days of Noah; it will be exceedingly sinful, as it was in the days of Lot. "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
2. The Judgment Sent Forth
The Book of Revelation details for us, tinder the seals and the trumpets and the vials, much of the many judgments that shall befall the inhabitants of the earth at the end of this age.
These judgments also will bring great sorrow to many of Israel. God will punish, however, more particularly those peoples of the earth who have rejected Him during this age of grace.
3. God's Grace Manifested
When the tribulation hour deepens, the Lord God will cry, through one of His angels, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
Then, following this pause of judgment, John heard the number of them that were sealed,
"And there were sealed a hundred and forty-and-four thousand out of all the tribes of the sons of Israel" (Rev_7:4, \1911 Bible).
This cry of the angel is a manifestation of the tender grace of God, expressed toward His children Israel in the hour of their deepest sorrow.
4. God's Election Secured
The days of tribulation must be shortened for the elect's sake, for otherwise no flesh would be saved.
God cannot allow even a rebellious people to be utterly consumed. Many of the promises made of old have already been fulfilled, but God is not yet through with Israel, God's purposes of grace, according to election included not only the birth of the seed, the Son of God, David's Son and Lord; but they included also the return of that Seed in the clouds of Heaven, reigning over a restored Israel.
Therefore, in the Jewish remnant of tribulation days, we find the election of God is still working.
5. God's Promise Emphasized
In the days of tribulation darkness, God is described as sitting upon a throne, and we read that there was a rainbow round about the throne. During all the darkness of the storm that shall fall upon Israel, this rainbow of promise will always be seen. God has given many precious promises to the tribulation remnant. One of the sweetest of these is: "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee."
6. A Word of Protection
The sealing which we have already mentioned was for the protection of one hundred and forty-four thousand of Israel. In the twelfth chapter of Revelation, satan is cast down from Heaven, and he begins to persecute the woman who brought forth the man-child. Then unto this woman there will be given two great wings of an eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. When the serpent casts out water as a flood after the woman, the woman is helped, protected.
The dragon in wrath makes war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.
There will be dark days ahead for a remnant of Israel, for while Israel herself is God's remnant, out of Israel there is another remnant who keep the commandments of God and who have the testimony of Jesus. These will suffer, but even they shall be greatly loved.
The fourteenth chapter of Revelation describes the Lord Jesus standing upon Mount Zion, in the midst of His one hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
This remnant may suffer great anguish, but they will be reckoned as the first fruits unto God and the Lamb, and will follow Him whithersoever He goeth.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR