1647. The Church Remnant

The Church Remnant

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" (Luk_12:32).

God has His remnant among the churches just as He had His remnant in the days of Noah, and of Abraham, and of national Israel.

The Word of God plainly speaks of the Church at Sardis, a church that had to do with the things which remain. From these things there seem to come two conditions, the one described by the Church at Philadelphia, and the other by the Church at Laodicea.

1. The Sins of the Laodicean Church

The Word of God plainly tells us that an apostasy shall come. Even now we are in that apostasy. Men are turning from the faith, they are denying every vital doctrine, every fundamental truth; they are even denying the Lord who bought them.

The church has grown rich and increased with goods. It is giving itself over to pleasure and to schemes of social redemption. It knows not that it is wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

2. Judgment Sent Forth

The Lord Jesus Christ has described the judgments of the apostate church in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation.

It is there that the beast hates the harlot and makes her desolate and naked; it is there that her flesh is eaten and she is burned with fire.

God's judgments against apostates are also described in the Book of Jude. "To whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."

3. God's Grace Manifested

In the midst of apostasy, a loving Saviour finds His little flock, upon them, the remnant, He pours the riches of His grace.

4. God's Election Secured

The revelation of God's elective purposes in the Old Testament concerns Israel, but we must remember that the Church also is a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a special people.

God the Son has pledged and purposed that His Church shall rule with Him, and His eternal purpose made known in the Epistles must be fulfilled, through the election of grace.

5. God's Promises Emphasized

To each of the seven Churches, God has a special promise to the overcomers, but to the Church of Philadelphia, He promises that they shall be made a pillar in the temple of His God.

To the few who overcome out of Laodicea, He promises that they shall sit with Him upon His throne.

The saints who are God's remnant have many exceeding great and precious promises to which they are heir.

6. A Word of Protection

God will carry unto safety those who are His own. The Church remnant are watching the moment of the Lord's Return when they shall go up to meet Him in the air. For this they are destined, and unto this they have been sealed.

The Holy Ghost is walking at the side of the Church remnant, and He pledges unto them His protecting care until their redemption is fulfilled.

A brief word must be spoken in conclusion.

We wish to urge every child of God to gladly go outside the camp, bearing the Lord's reproach.

Let us not be ashamed to be counted among the few who stand true to God.

Can we not hear the Master say, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR