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BY
D. P. SILVA—writing
from U.S.A.
 he
word "remnant" means: "a small part still left," "what is left over,"
"remainder," "residue," "a small remaining part," "a fragment left
over," "a surviving trace."
In the
Word of God there are wonderful promises to the faithful remnant.
At the same time, the remnant is identified with some special attributes.
In the following scriptures, it is written:
"The remnant
of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful
tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down,
and none shall make them afraid" (Zephaniah 3:13).
"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).
In these
scriptures we find the following characteristics: (1) "they shall
not do iniquity"; (2) "nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue
be found in their mouth." Then, we have these promises: (1) they "shall
feed and lie down," and (2) "none shall make them afraid."
In Revelation
12:17, it is registered: (1) they keep the commandments of God, and
(2) they have the testimony of Jesus Christ. In the same book, chapter
19:10, it is written that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy."
Revelation
14:12, a parallel scripture, describes them: "Here is the patience
of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and
the faith of Jesus."
From the
inspired writings we have enough information to identify the faithful
remnant: (1) they are not liars; (2) they keep God's commandments;
(3) they believe and obey the divine instructions found in the Word
of God; (4) they have the faith of Jesus. In other words: They believe
the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ and, as a result, they obey
God's commandments.
The
faith of Jesus
"The faith
of Jesus has been overlooked and treated in an indifferent, careless
manner. It has not occupied the prominent position in which it was
revealed to John. Faith in Christ as the sinner's only hope has been
largely left out, not only of the discourses given but of the religious
experience of very many who claim to believe the third angel's message."1
"The third
angel's message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed,
but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by Seventh-day
Adventists as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand
in hand. I cannot find language to express this subject in its fullness.
" 'The
faith of Jesus.' It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes
the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel's message? Jesus
becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour.
He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and
took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the
ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith
of Jesus.
"The only
safety for the Israelites was blood upon the doorposts. God said,
'When I see the blood, I will pass over you' (Exodus 12:13). All other
devices for safety would be without avail. Nothing but the blood on
the doorposts would bar the way that the angel of death should not
enter. There is salvation for the sinner in the blood of Jesus Christ
alone, which cleanseth us from all sin. The man with a cultivated
intellect may have vast stores of knowledge, he may engage in theological
speculations, he may be great and honored of men and be considered
the repository of knowledge, but unless he has a saving knowledge
of Christ crucified for him, and by faith lays hold of the righteousness
of Christ, he is lost. Christ 'was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon him; and with his stripes we are healed' (Isaiah 53:5). 'Saved
by the blood of Jesus Christ,' will be our only hope for time and
our song throughout eternity."2
"Remember
that the exercise of faith is the one means of preserving it. Should
you sit always in one position, without moving, your muscles would
become strengthless and your limbs would lose the power of motion.
The same is true in regard to your religious experience. You must
have faith in the promises of God. . . . Faith will perfect itself
in exercise and activity.
"It is
of the greatest importance to us that we surround the soul with the
atmosphere of faith. Every day we are deciding our own eternal destiny
in harmony with the atmosphere that surrounds the soul. We are individually
accountable for the influence that we exert, and consequences that
we do not see will result from our words and actions. If God would
have saved Sodom for the sake of ten righteous persons, what would
be the influence for good that might go out as the result of the faithfulness
of the people of God if everyone who professed the name of Christ
were also clothed with His righteousness?"3
"Saving
faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves
in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith
means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes
a conquering power."4
"The questions
that most concern us are, Do I believe with saving faith on the Son
of God? Is my life in harmony with the divine law? 'He that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life.' 'And hereby we do know that we know him, if we
keep his commandments' (John 3:36; 1 John 2:3)."5
They
have a working faith
"The forgiveness
of sin is promised to him who repents and believes; the crown of life
will be the reward of him who is faithful to the end. We may grow
in grace by improving through the grace we already have. We are to
keep ourselves unspotted from the world if we would be found blameless
in the day of God. Faith and works go hand in hand; they act harmoniously
in the work of overcoming. Works without faith are dead, and faith
without works is dead. Works will never save us; it is the merit of
Christ that will avail in our behalf. Through faith in Him, Christ
will make all our imperfect efforts acceptable to God. The faith we
are required to have is not a do-nothing faith; saving faith is that
which works by love and purifies the soul. He who will lift up holy
hands to God without wrath and doubting will walk intelligently in
the way of God's commandments.
"If we
are to have pardon for our sins, we must first have a realization
of what sin is, that we may repent and bring forth fruits meet for
repentance. We must have a solid foundation for our faith; it must
be founded on the Word of God, and its results will be seen in obedience
to God's expressed will. Says the apostle, 'Without . . . [holiness]
no man shall see the Lord' (Hebrews 12:14). . . .
"We are
living in an important and interesting period of this earth's history.
We need more faith than we have yet had; we need a firmer hold from
above. Satan is working with all power to obtain the victory over
us, for he knows that he has but a short time in which to work. Paul
had fear and trembling in working out his salvation; and should not
we fear lest a promise being left us, we should any of us seem to
come short of it, and prove ourselves unworthy of eternal life? We
should watch unto prayer, strive with agonizing effort to enter in
at the strait gate."6
"When
you respond to the drawing of Christ, and join yourself to Him, you
manifest saving faith. . . . Faith familiarizes the soul with the
existence and presence of God, and, living with an eye single to the
glory of God, more and more we discern the beauty of His character,
the excellence of His grace. Our souls become strong in spiritual
power; for we are breathing the atmosphere of heaven. . . . We are
rising above the world, beholding Him who is the Chief among ten thousand,
the One altogether lovely, and by beholding we are to become changed
into His image."7
"Faith,
saving faith, is to be taught. The definition of this faith in Jesus
Christ may be described in few words: It is the act of the soul by
which the whole man is given over to the guardianship and control
of Jesus Christ. He abides in Christ and Christ abides in the soul
by faith as supreme. The believer commits his soul and body to God
and with assurance may say, Christ is able to keep that which I have
committed unto Him against that day. All who will do this will be
saved unto life eternal. There will be an assurance that the soul
is washed in the blood of Christ and clothed with His righteousness
and precious in the sight of Jesus. Our thoughts and our hopes are
on the second advent of our Lord. That is the day when the Judge of
all the earth will reward the trust of His people."8
"Faith
is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows best what
is for our good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us to choose His
way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of
our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness.
Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership
and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, have been pointed
out as secrets of life's success. It is faith that puts us in possession
of these principles."9
"Faith
is simple in its operation and powerful in its results. Many professed
Christians, who have a knowledge of the sacred Word, and believe its
truth, fail in the childlike trust that is essential to the religion
of Jesus. They do not reach out with that peculiar touch that brings
the virtue of healing to the soul."10
They
are justified by faith
"The faith
that justifies always produces first true repentance, and then good
works, which are the fruit of that faith. There is no saving faith
that does not produce good fruit. God gave Christ to our world to
become the sinner's substitute. The moment true faith in the merits
of the costly atoning sacrifice is exercised, claiming Christ as a
personal Saviour, that moment the sinner is justified before God,
because he is pardoned."11
"Faith
in Christ is something more than belief in Him as the world's Redeemer;
it accepts Him as our Redeemer, our Saviour. Our will is to be governed
by His will. We are to purify the affections, and regulate the temper,
and shape the life, after the model given us in the life and character
of Christ. This is an intelligent confession of Christ. This is a
faith that is shown by works, and it is the only genuine, saving faith."12
"Faith
is a living, abiding principle. Its object is truth—divine, eternal,
changeless truth. Genuine, saving faith is inseparable from repentance
and conversion, and will manifest the fruits of the Spirit. It is
a continual, conscious trust in Jesus. The sinner's only hope is in
the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. There is no resting in
any efforts of our own, yet these efforts must be made."13
"Do you
believe with all your heart that Jesus is your Saviour? Do you bring
Him into your life, and weave Him into your character, until you are
one with Christ? Many accept Jesus as an article of belief, but they
have no saving faith in Him as their sacrifice and Saviour. They have
no realization that Christ has died to save them from the penalty
of the law which they have transgressed, in order that they may be
brought back to loyalty to God. Do you believe that Christ, as your
substitute, pays the debt of your transgression? Not, however, that
you may continue in sin, but that you may be saved from your sins;
that you, through the merits of His righteousness, may be reinstated
to the favor of God. Do you know that a holy and just God will accept
your efforts to keep His law, through the merits of His own beloved
Son who died for your rebellion and sin?
They
accept the counsel of the True Witness
"You may
say that you believe in Jesus, when you have an appreciation of the
cost of salvation. You may make this claim, when you feel that Jesus
died for you on the cruel cross of Calvary; when you have an intelligent,
understanding faith that His death makes it possible for you to cease
from sin, and to perfect a righteous character through the grace of
God, bestowed upon you as the purchase of Christ's blood. The eyes
of fallen men may be anointed with the eyesalve of spiritual comprehension,
and they may see themselves as they really are—poor, and miserable,
and blind, and naked. They may be brought to realize their need of
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."14
"The faith
essential for salvation is not mere nominal faith, but an abiding
principle, deriving vital power from Christ. It will lead the soul
to feel the love of Christ to such a degree that the character will
be refined, purified, ennobled. This faith in Christ is not merely
an impulse, but a power that works by love and purifies the soul.
It accomplishes something, bringing the soul under discipline, elevating
it from defilement, and bringing it into connection with Christ, till
it appropriates His virtue to the soul's need. This is saving faith."15
They
love God and their neighbors
"The whole
duty of man is summed up by the Saviour. He says, 'Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind. . . . Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew
22:37, 39). In the word the plan of salvation is plainly delineated.
The gift of eternal life is promised on condition of saving faith
in Christ. The drawing power of the Holy Spirit is pointed out as
an agent in the work of man's salvation. The rewards of the faithful,
the punishment of the guilty, are all laid out in clear lines. The
Bible contains the science of salvation for all those who will hear
and do the words of Christ."16
They
are reformers, restorers, repairers
"The spiritual
restoration of which the work carried forward in Nehemiah's day was
a symbol, as outlined in the words of Isaiah: 'They shall build the
old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall
repair the waste cities.' 'They that shall be of thee shall build
the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many
generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach,
The restorer of paths to dwell in' (Isaiah 61:4; 58:12).
"The prophet
here describes a people who, in a time of general departure from truth
and righteousness, are seeking to restore the principles that are
the foundation of the kingdom of God. They are repairers of a breach
that has been made in God's law—the wall that He has placed around
His chosen ones for their protection, and obedience to whose precepts
of justice, truth, and purity is to be their perpetual safeguard."17
"[Isaiah
58:8, 9, 12–14 quoted.] Here are given the characteristics of
those who shall be reformers, who will bear the banner of the third
angel's message, those who avow themselves God's commandment- keeping
people, and who honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in the sight
of all the universe, in building up the old waste places. Who is it
that calls them, The repairers of the breach, The restorers of paths
to dwell in? It is God. Their names are registered in heaven as reformers,
restorers, as raising the foundations of many generations."18
"In the
time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach
made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to
be repaired. God's remnant people, standing before the world as reformers,
are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring
reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand
as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God.
In clear, distinct lines they are to present the necessity of obedience
to all the precepts of the Decalogue. Constrained by the love of Christ,
they are to cooperate with Him in building up the waste places. They
are to be repairers of the breach, restorers of paths to dwell in."19
"You who
profess to love God, take Jesus with you wherever you go; and, like
the patriarchs of old, erect an altar to the Lord wherever you pitch
your tent. A reformation in this respect is needed, a reformation
that shall be deep and broad. Parents need to reform; ministers need
to reform. They need God in their households. They need to build the
waste places of Zion, to set up her gates and make strong her walls
for a defense of the people."20
They
are a little company who resists the supremacy of Satan
"The remnant
church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep
the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will feel the ire of
the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects;
he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little
company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from
the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen
nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the
wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required
to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law.
Those who will be true to God and to duty will be menaced, denounced,
and proscribed. They shall be betrayed 'both by parents, and brethren,
and kinsfolks, and friends.' "21
"The time
is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The observance
of the false sabbath will be urged upon us. The contest will be between
the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Those who have
yielded step by step to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs
will then yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves
to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. At that time
the gold will be separated from the dross. . . . Many a star that
we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Those
who have assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed
with Christ's righteousness, will then appear in the shame of their
own nakedness."22
"The decree
that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will
be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today
the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the
Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's
people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off
the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath.
"Satan
will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept
popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will
join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people
of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with
contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire
against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule,
they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations
and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not
having a 'Thus saith the Scriptures' to bring against the advocates
of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to
supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will
yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God cannot
accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On
this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy
between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue.
Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate
His truth and His people."23
They
will be overcomers
"At last
the victory was gained. The army following the banner with the inscription,
'The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,' was gloriously
triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the gates of
the city, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom of
peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established."24
_________________________
1 Selected
Messages, bk. 3, p. 168.
2
Ibid., pp. 172, 173.
3
In Heavenly Places, p. 104.
4
The Desire of Ages, p. 347.
5
Ibid., p. 396.
6
Faith and Works, pp. 48, 49.
7
God's Amazing Grace, p. 183.
8
Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 531.
9
Education, p. 253.
10
The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 6,
p. 1074.
11
Our High Calling, p. 52.
12
The Bible Echo, June 1, 1887.
13
The Review and Herald, November 27, 1883.
14
Ibid., July 24, 1888.
15
Ibid., August 18, 1891.
16
Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 187.
17
Prophets and Kings, pp. 677, 678.
18
The Review and Herald, October 13, 1891.
19
Prophets and Kings, p. 678.
20
Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 320, 321.
21
Ibid., vol. 9, p. 231.
22
Prophets and Kings, p. 188.
23
Ibid., pp. 605, 606.
24
Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 41, 42.
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