Who are God's Remnant People?
Who Are God's Remnant People? A Biblical Answer
A friend of mine has an uncle who loves to debate. They often go at it, politics, soccer, religion, you name it, his uncle has strong opinions and will engage in a debate. My friend was having a goodbye party; he and his wife were moving to the US, and he had been accepted at the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Andrews University in Michigan. His uncle came for the party and, of course, cornered my friend with the following question. “When was the Seventh-day Adventist Church established?”
My friend replied that the Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially founded on May 21, 1863. To which his uncle replied:
“If your church is the true church, then how were people saved before it existed?”
You may have guessed that my friend’s uncle is Roman Catholic. He traces the beginning of his church all the way back to Peter. Though my friend’s uncle is not a very religious man, that is his favorite argument against Protestants. Any church that came into existence later cannot be the true church, because, according to his reasoning, salvation would not have been available to people until that church was formed. He claims his church was the first one, the original one, and therefore the true church.
If you believe that Christianity is a brand-new idea that began with Jesus and his Apostles, this argument seems logical and quite strong. The oldest church must be the true church. But I have seen people take this argument even further, arguing that the oldest religion must be the true religion and that Hinduism is the oldest living major religion. So if God exists and religion is necessary for salvation, then salvation must be found in the oldest religion, and Hinduism must be the true religion. After all, how could people be saved if their religion didn’t exist yet?
Keep this question in the back of your mind; we will return to it at the end of this post.
Main Point
My key point is simple: God’s remnant is not a denomination that suddenly appeared in 1863. God’s remnant consists of His faithful people throughout the entire history of salvation—from Adam and Eve to the Second Coming of Christ.
The 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.
—Revelation 12:17 NKJV
At first glance, this may seem like an abrupt shift, but it is central to answering the question we began with.
The word translated as “remnant” by the New King James Version of the Bible is the Greek word λοιπός (loipos), which means “remaining ones, other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.” (Strong’s definition)
The Seventh-day Adventist Church identifies itself as the remnant of biblical prophecy predicted in Revelation 12:17. Seventh-day Adventists are often criticized for this. “How dare those Adventists say that they are the remnant church of biblical prophecy!?” I hope to unpack this in this post and help clarify what I understand by this. But before I do that, I have a question for those who are not Seventh-day Adventists.
“Why doesn’t your church or denomination identify as the end times remnant?”
Revelation 12:17 is not a secret verse. This is not a claim from Ellen G. White or some extrabiblical source. When we (Seventh-day Adventists) read the Bible and come to Revelation 12:17, which describes God’s end-time people, we see ourselves.
Why do many Christians hesitate to identify themselves with this description?
Why would a church that loves and follows Jesus not want to identify as God’s remnant?
Maybe this is due to the belief that the remnant is an entity that will come into existence only at the end time, just before the second coming of Jesus. I see the remnant as a biblical designation applied to the historical and spiritual development of God’s people, both Israel and the church, throughout the history of salvation. I propose that God’s people have always existed as a remnant. The remnant is the remaining portion of God’s faithful people, joining a long history of believers who have gone before them.
A clear Old Testament example of the remnant appears in 1 Kings 19:18.
Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
— 1 Kings 19:18 NKJV
The Hebrew word translated as “reserved” in the New King James Version is שָׁאַר (šā'ar), and it means “(be) left, remain, reserve, the rest.” (Strong’s definition). So we see the same principle that we found in Revelation 12:17. But God’s remnant here is described as those who did not worship Baal.
I like how Dr. Fernando Canale describes the remnant.
The origin of the Christian church took place because the God of the Old Testament fulfilled his covenantal promise to the world (Genesis 3:15) and to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) by revealing his being and character in Jesus Christ’s life and death on the cross (Matthew 16:16–18; John 14:8–10). More precisely, the Christian church emerged as a faithful remnant of God’s people who by faith embraced God’s revelation in the Old Testament, and Christ’s revelation in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1–2). Thus, the Church is the historical-spiritual community that gathers around, coheres in, stands on, and testifies about Jesus. The Church exists because of her faith in Christ and her witnessing Christ to the world. In the most real sense the Church exists in-Christ. Her existence is spiritual. It takes place as a historical communal relationship of faith in His Word and His mission as revealed through the history of salvation and recorded in Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
—Fernando Canale, “On Being the Remnant,” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 24, no. 1 (2013): 131–132.
When we identify as the remnant, it should not bring us a sense of pride or superiority but rather a sense of mission and of responsibility. God’s people need to hold fast through faith in God, His words, and His covenantal promises.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
—Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV
This understanding of the remnant highlights the importance of faithfulness and mission. Remnant has been, is, and will be a community that is faithful to God’s call. But our existence as the remnant depends not so much on our religion, denomination, or whatever label we might choose for ourselves, but rather on our faithfulness to God’s word. Without faith in God’s word as revealed in the Bible, the church becomes a mere human organization (see Psalm 78:8; Acts 11:21–23; 16:5). I see the remnant at the end times not as something new but rather as a continuation of the Christian church, which I see as a faithful remnant of Israel (see Romans 11).
The remnant is not synonymous with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Rather, the remnant consists of all who are faithful to Christ and His mission.
Seventh-day Adventists understand themselves to be part of this remnant movement and seek to proclaim its message to the world. Throughout the history of salvation, God has always kept a remnant, from before Abraham was called, until now, and it will remain true until Jesus comes again. The remnant is not limited by denomination, religious affiliation, or time period. Seventh-day Adventists see themselves as part of the remnant, but it does not mean that we believe we are the only ones or that every church member is automatically part of the remnant.
Commandment Keeping Remnant
This remnant is described in Revelation as those “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17) I believe the sticking point is the reference to keeping the commandments of God. Though I doubt any honest Christian would say that a born-again follower of Jesus will live in rebellion to God’s law. They correctly understand that keeping the law does not save us. Though our good works do not save us, they do impact our lives. According to Revelation 12:17, the end-time remnant keep the commandments of God. The text does not say that their obedience saves them; they have the testimony of Christ, after all. I believe the description of a commandment-keeping group on earth is highlighted because keeping God’s commandments is what sets this group apart from everyone else. Keeping the commandments does not save them, but it differentiates them. This group is not legalistic; they are not Jews saved by keeping the law, but rather a group of believers dead to sins and alive in Christ (Romans 6). Their obedience flows freely from individuals who were saved by grace, whose hearts are filled with the Holy Spirit.
I see support for this interpretation in the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 7:21-23.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
—Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
People can call themselves Christians and even do wonders in the name of Jesus, but their practice of lawlessness is proof that Jesus never knew them (see James 2:14-26). The Greek word translated as lawlessness in the New King James Version is ἀνομία (anomia), and the outline of its biblical use is “the condition of without law” either “because ignorant of it” or “because of violating it.” Jesus clarifies that salvation is not based on doing great things in His name. I see this as very similar to the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, who made a great show of obeying God and yet rejected Jesus. They didn’t truly love God; they used religion for power and personal gain.
We can identify as Christians, as the remnant, as saints, etc. Saying the words is easy enough. Anyone can say “Christ is King.” The question then becomes, how do you live your life? I can tell my family I love them until I am blue in the face, I am sure they like to hear it, but even more important than my words is that I demonstrate my love for them in the way I live my life.
The Road to Emmaus
One story in the Bible that has deeply impacted my spiritual identity and my understanding of the Gospel’s consistency throughout Scripture is found in Luke 24. If the remnant is present on earth throughout its history, then the plan of salvation must likewise be consistently present. Luke 24 describes the first day of the week, when Jesus had risen from the dead, and His disciples couldn’t believe it. Two men are traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. As they talked along the way, Jesus Himself joined them on their journey. But their eyes were restrained, and they did not recognize Him.
Jesus asked them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” (Luke 24:17)
The men are shocked that this stranger is unaware of current events, so they begin to tell Him about Jesus.
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
—Luke 24:19b-24 NKJV
At this point, I expect Jesus to show his nail-pierced hands and prove beyond a shadow of doubt that He is the resurrected Messiah. But that is not what Jesus does.
25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
—Luke 24:25-27 NKJV
Jesus did not do any of the things we usually ask as proof that He is God. Jesus did not make Himself physically recognizable. So His physical appearance is not the most important thing about Him. Jesus did not just do a cool miracle to prove He was God. Instead, Jesus gives a Bible study focusing on the law and prophecy. The two portions of the Scriptures that many Christians tend to avoid or consider irrelevant. Why do so many discard a portion of the Scriptures that Jesus considered crucial to an understanding of His identity and mission?
Jesus did not use signs and wonders to prove that He is the Messiah; He used the Scriptures. Yet many demand signs and wonders today, even though we have access to the Bible. This is not new and is likely the reason for Jesus’ warnings regarding end times.
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
[…]
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
—Matthew 24:4-5;23-27 NKJV13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
—Revelation 13:13-14 NKJV
If the proof we are looking for is based on signs and wonders, we are setting ourselves up for deception. Jesus establishes His identity based on the Law and the Prophets, the writings of the Scriptures. It always concerns me when I hear anyone downplaying the importance of the text (Old Testament) that Jesus used as proof that He was indeed the Messiah. Signs and wonders can be falsified. (see Genesis 7:10-13; 20-23) But only Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about Him (Genesis 3:15; 12:3; Numbers 21:9; Deuteronomy 18:15; Psalm 16:9-10; 22; 132:11; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:14-15; Ezekiel 32:23; 37:25; Daniel 9:24; Micah 7:20; Malachi 3:1; 4:2; John 1:45; 5:39; Romans 1:1-6; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Psalm 2:1-2,7; 16:8-11; 110:1; Isaiah 53:7-8, 12.) The Scriptures, which accurately provide a basis for the understanding of God’s will and plan, receive their clearest interpretation through Jesus Christ.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
—John 5:39 NKJV
Eternal life is not found in the Scriptures. Eternal life is found in Jesus. But without the Scriptures, how can we know Jesus? It is the Scriptures that testify of Jesus. I did not discover this, the church did not decide this, Jesus said this.
Even after Jesus rose from the dead, the Jewish leaders continued to persecute the followers of Jesus, as did the Romans. Jesus illustrated this with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
—Luke 16:31 NKJV
What happens when we disregard the Bible or part of the Bible?
Our faith begins to drift from the truth. Our theology becomes murky, and our faith becomes shaky. The Bible may seem intimidating; it is a thick book and not an easy read. There are many parts I still don’t fully understand. Reading the Bible is not magic, nor is it a good luck charm. But it is a special revelation from God, and there is no substitute for it; there is nothing else that is like reading or listening to the Bible. But remember: the Bible does not save us; the Bible is not magic; the Bible reveals Jesus; and the more we familiarize ourselves with the Bible, the more our trust in Jesus grows. But that comes from reading, interpreting, and understanding the text.
Sometimes reading the Bible is great fun, and you barely notice the time go by. Sometimes it is difficult and frustrating. That is why we also come together and discuss the Bible. I have learned so much from others. I do not come to the Bible assuming I know everything, but with humility and curiosity, open to being encouraged and challenged by the text.
Oldest Church
Back to the story I told at the beginning about my friend’s uncle and his argument about how people were saved before a specific church was established. In response, I would argue that God’s faithful people, or remnant, have been present from Adam and Eve to the present day. Salvation by grace through faith predates Abraham, Israel, and Christianity. It is not a specific religion or church membership that saves anyone, but a personal relationship with God, accepting Jesus as both Lord and Savior.
Genesis 4:25-26 traces faithfulness from Adam to Seth, to Enosh, and the biblical text tells us that people began to call on the name of the LORD. There were no Jews, only people calling on the name of YHWH.
Interestingly, the first mention of grace in the Bible appears in Genesis 6:8, and it refers to Noah! Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (YHWH). Noah was saved by grace, long before Jesus was born of Mary (Matthew 1-2; Luke 2; John 1:1-18), long before Abraham was born (Genesis 11:27), and long before God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Genesis 32:28). Long before Moses (Exodus 2), and long before the tabernacle was built (Exodus 25:8-9; 36:8ff; 40), or the Levites were made priests (Exodus 28:1; Leviticus 8).
The way I see it, salvation has always been by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8; see Is Jesus the Only Way to Salvation?). Genesis 15:6 says that Abraham believed the LORD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. We have righteousness by faith clearly established long before Moses. With this in mind, I argue that Christianity is not a brand-new religion but rather the faithful remnant of Israel (Galatians 3:26-29). The early church was made up of those who chose to follow Jesus. Jesus did not start something new, He was fulfilling what had been promised from the beginning (Genesis 3:15, see someOne is coming)
Jesus clearly says that He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but many behave as if that is exactly what He did. Jesus came to fulfill the promises made (see Law Fulfilled). If we throw out the Law and the Prophets, we are left with Jesus and no context. And I know that Jesus is all and Jesus is enough, but the more we understand Jesus, the healthier our relationship with Him becomes.
So, my friend’s uncle traces his faith or religion all the way back to Peter, who he considers the first pope. I trace my faith all the way back to Adam and Eve. I even rest on the Sabbath, celebrating what God did on the seventh day of creation. God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it and rested from all His work that God had created and made. (Genesis 2:2-3 see In the Beginning)
As a follower of Christ, I do not reject the Old Testament, but I see Jesus as the key that unlocks a proper understanding of it. So my identity as a member of God’s end-time remnant causes me to desire to study and understand the Bible in its entirety, using Jesus and the cross as the interpretive key that unlocks the true meaning of the Gospel from Genesis to Revelation. I see and appreciate the beauty of God’s law, not as a means of salvation but as a revelation of the character of God and the proper context for me to understand the beauty and power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. With a proper understanding of the gospel, I can study prophecy without anxiety about the future, but rather look forward to that blessed hope.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
—Titus 2:11-14 NKJV
In summary
God has always preserved a faithful remnant.
The end-time remnant is a continuation, not a new creation.
The remnant is identified by faithfulness to Christ and His commandments.
Jesus Himself taught us to interpret everything through Scripture.
Followers of God should trace their spiritual heritage to Adam, not merely to the establishment of their religion, denomination, or church.
Practical Application
I encourage you to see yourself as a member of God’s remnant, a special group that has remained faithful to God throughout earth’s history. Study the Bible to better understand the character of the God we worship and to find in Him strength, comfort, and hope. Then share the good news with all around you. You are not only a sinner saved by grace, you are a servant of God, on a special mission to alleviate the suffering of those around you as the Holy Spirit equips you to do so for God’s honor and glory.
