Remnant

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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This word constantly occurs in the Old Testament in the sense of “the rest of the people.” In every crisis in the history of Israel there has been a remnant; this was seen in the time of Ahab (1 Kings 19:1818Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:18)), and so too in the introduction of Christianity (Luke 2:3838And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)), and that it will be so in the future is abundantly evident from the testimony of the prophets. There will be great prosperity in the land, and God will cause the remnant of His people to possess it (Zech. 8:1212For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. (Zechariah 8:12); compare Rev. 12:1717And 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. (Revelation 12:17)). When God’s people are unfaithful to His calling, He secures His own purpose in a remnant.
The prophetic language in the Psalms is not that of the mass of Israel, but of the remnant, in whom the Spirit of Christ speaks; and it is in the Psalms that the remnant is first seen as distinguished from the ungodly nation. The idea of a remnant is found also in the address to the church in Thyatira, and to that remnant (“the rest”) it was said, “That which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:24-2524But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:24‑25)). They represent the faithful in the time of the supremacy of the apostate Popish system.
A remnant represents morally the original whole, and does not imply an inferior remaining portion. It is of God’s grace that any are enabled to be steadfast to the original truth and calling during a general apostasy from it.