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The Remnant
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe spiritual remnant, a small group of God-fearing people, applies specifically to Christians who survive the persecutions inspired by satan in the near future. Those who prevail are promised wonderful blessings and rewards for their faithfulness. In Romans 11:1-5, Paul recounts Elijah's complaint and God's response from I Kings 19:11-18, concluding that a remnant still exists, a remnant according to the election of grace. This spiritual remnant is termed the elect by several New Testament writers, those called and chosen by God through grace, who have received spiritual redemption and a relationship with Him. The size of this spiritual remnant is a matter of speculation. If the figure of 7,000 mentioned in I Kings 19:18 and Romans 11:4 represents one-tenth of spiritual Israel, akin to the remnant of physical Israel, the original number might be 70,000. However, Ezekiel 5:1-5 suggests an even smaller fraction, a pinch of hair bound in the garment's edge, possibly representing the spiritual remnant protected by God, an almost insignificant number. II Thessalonians 2:1-3 indicates a falling away from truth before Christ's return, with satan engineering the church's disintegration. Revelation 12:7-17 describes end-time events where satan, cast down to earth, seeks to persecute the elect, but God protects this small group for three and a half years. Unable to destroy the faithful remnant, the devil turns to persecute the spiritually weak Christians left unprotected during the Great Tribulation. Isaiah 33:14-17 addresses who can survive the coming persecution, with God answering that the righteous will endure, protected in a mountainous fortress supplied with food and drink, possibly taught by the King, Jesus Christ, in this place of safety. The letters to the Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia churches in Revelation 2 and 3 mention a remnant: the rest in Thyatira, a few names in Sardis, and an implied promise of protection for Philadelphia, while Laodicea must endure the fire.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Seven): Romans 9
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWithin the history of Israel, there exists a distinction between physical Israel and a spiritual remnant, a righteous few chosen by God. This spiritual remnant, often a small minority, stands in a unique and favored position under Him. God works closely with them, teaching them from His Word and granting them an inner peace amidst outward turmoil. They trust in His plan, even when disaster seems imminent, knowing that He will not forsake His people, both the remnant and the broader nation of Israel. His ultimate purpose is to work for the good of all, preserving especially those who live within the covenant as the apple of His eye. This spiritual remnant, referred to as the Israel of God, is emphasized in the teachings of the New Testament as those called or elected to receive God's Spirit and live according to His way of life. They are a new people, grafted into Israel, becoming the spiritual Israel that God uses in the present age. Through history, God has consistently worked with this small element, favoring them through election over mere physical descent. His choice alone determines their place in His plan, creating an Israel within Israel, where the elect are separated from the majority as Abraham's true seed through Isaac. God's election of this spiritual remnant is not unfair, for He, as the sovereign Creator, has the right to do as He pleases, always intending good. Even when His actions seem negative from a human perspective, they ultimately manifest as love and righteousness. This remnant, formed through election and grace, includes not only Jews but also Gentiles, selected from all humanity. They are the vessels of mercy, prepared beforehand for glory, and play a crucial role in God's purpose. Through their faithfulness to Christ, they will contribute to the eventual salvation of the broader, rejected Israel, ensuring that His saving grace extends to all.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe concept of the Remnant, Spiritual, emerges as a vital element in God's purpose for mankind, intricately tied to His relationship with Israel. Within the vast numbers of physical Israelites, only a tiny remnant truly embodies the spiritual Israel, identified as the children of promise, the election, the vessels of mercy, and the remnant called by God. This spiritual remnant forms a unique Body, the Body of Jesus Christ, where national distinctions fade, uniting all as part of the Israel of God. Through the centuries, after Jacob's name was changed to Israel, this name became a code for the called and chosen who have made a covenant with God. In the New Testament, this code is openly transferred to the church, distinguishing it from the physical nation of Israel by marking it as the possession of God. This spiritual Israel, composed of people from all ethnic backgrounds, represents a new nation with citizenship in heaven, owing loyalty to the Kingdom of God, its laws, and its government. The progression of God's plan reveals the formation of this spiritual remnant, starting with Jacob, chosen by God, and extending to his descendants selected from among the nations. As the gospel of the Kingdom of God is preached, accompanied by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit, God chooses from among the Israelites and then worldwide, incorporating the weak and base into the Body of Christ. This church, the Israel of God, is being prepared to marry Christ, the Lamb, as depicted in Revelation 19. Gentiles, through conversion, must become part of this spiritual Israel to enter into the New Covenant, which is made with Israel and Judah. Even those of physical Israel must become real Israelites in a spiritual sense. This spiritual Body, empowered by the Spirit of God, consists of the children of promise, the remnant, and the church, who are enabled to sustain a relationship with God, a power granted only to those in Christ who have received His Spirit.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Nine): Romans 11
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul poses two questions in Romans 11: Has God discarded Israel for all time? Will God graft physical Israel into the Covenant people of Abraham?
The Seven Churches (Part Six): Thyatira
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThyatira receives a litany of praise and rebuke from our Savior. He particularly focuses on idolatry, which is spiritual fornication.
Shouting Gleanings and Singing Olives (Part One)
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Isaiah 24 prophesies that God will preserve a remnant made up of grape gleanings (the His Church) and of olives (national Israelites) who will sing together.
Our Apostasy
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Charles WhitakerThe subtle and deceptive apostasy upon the church became so pervasive that God couldn't find anyone to serve as an intercessor.
Faith and the Calendar (Part Five): Summary
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod assigned the tribe of Judah to be the caretakers of the oracles. The real issue in this controversy is faith in God's sovereignty and His faithfulness.
Rejoice in What We Are (2011)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we have been given revelation, we should have peace and a sense of well-being about life that would make the high-achievers of this world envious.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Six)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsLike the four groups of seeds exposed to various qualities of soil, many have heard the true gospel, but few have remained faithful after the onslaught of hardship.
The Seven Churches (Part Ten): What Now?
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible indicates all seven churches of Revelation will exist at the end, but do God's people have hope for a bright future? Will Christ reunite His church?