The Remnant Church: Standing Firm in Last Days

The remnant church is destined to stand firm and will not fall, while it is possible for some who are connected with the organization to be shaken out if they fail to permit God to produce within them the character essential for translationEVRR408.

It is important to understand that the church in these last days, though it may have existing evils and be enfeebled, defective, and in need of reproof, warning, and counsel, is the sole object on Earth that Christ regards with supreme careGRC 33.2+1. The Lord God of hosts will graciously be with the remnant, who are called to seek good and not evil, establishing justice in their lives, as stated in Amos 5:14-15+2. The church, as the light of a world polluted and demoralized by sin, is where Jesus, through the cooperation of human and divine agencies, is working by His grace and divine mercy upon human heartsGRC 33.2+1. Angels observe with amazement the character transformation in those who yield to God, rejoicing as they see those who were once children of wrath become laborers with Christ, shining as lights in the moral darkness of this wicked generationGRC 33.2. These individuals are being prepared through a Christlike experience to suffer with their Lord and subsequently share in His heavenly gloryGRC 33.2.

God has a church on Earth that upholds His downtrodden law and presents the Lamb of God to the world, who takes away the sin of the worldEA 98.2. This church serves as the depository of Christ's abundant grace, and through it, the full display of God's love will eventually be manifested to enlighten the world with its gloryEA 98.2. Christ's prayer for His church to be one, just as He is one with the Father, will ultimately be answered. The rich endowment of the Holy Spirit will be given, enabling God's people to become witnesses to the world of God's power unto salvationEA 98.2.

Those who arise proclaiming messages on their own individual responsibility, claiming to be taught and led by God yet actively tearing down what God has been building for years, are not performing God's willGRC 35.1+1. Such individuals align themselves with the great deceiver and the enemies of God and truthGRC 35.1+1. They may disparage the order of the ministry as a system of priestcraft and might quote testimonies to support their false messages, but they should not be believed or received, as God has not given them this workGRC 35.1+1. The result of their actions is often unbelief in the testimonies, and they strive to negate the work that has been done for yearsGRC 35.1+1. Such workers, by intertwining portions of the testimonies with error, bring God's work into disrepute and will be held accountable before God for their actionsEA 98.2+1. It is the very last deception of Satan to attempt to make the testimony of the Spirit of God ineffective, and where there is no vision, the people perish, as Proverbs 29:18 declaresPM 360.4.

The true remnant church, as described in Revelation 12:17 consists of those who keep the commandments of God and possess the testimony of Jesus ChristSSP 393.14+4. This testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, according to Revelation 19:10+1. God's remnant people are admonished not to diminish the prominence of the special truths that have set them apart from the world and defined who they are, for these truths are of eternal significancePaM 29.1+3. They have been given light concerning the events unfolding in this final period of time and are called to proclaim this truth to the world with power and demonstration of the Spirit, not in a timid or spiritless mannerPaM 29.1+3. The advancement of this message involves significant conflicts, and its promulgation carries immense consequences for both heaven and EarthPaM 29.1+2.

While the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church identifies as the bearer of God's last message to the world, preparing people for Christ's second advent, it acknowledges that there are other born-again believers in various churches of Christendom who are living according to the light they haveEVRR408. These individuals, however, may not fully meet all the identifying characteristics of the final remnantEVRR408. Scripture reveals that God has a special standard to prepare His saints for translation, exemplified in the character of the 144,000, who symbolize the final remnantEVRR408. Only those who overcome and are recognized by God will form the final remnant, which will include a minority of Seventh-day AdventistsEVRR408. The majority of the final remnant will be composed of individuals who are currently in both Christian and non-Christian belief systems, responding to God's final call to "Come out of her, my people" Revelation 18:4 and uniting with those Seventh-day Adventists who remain true to ChristEVRR408. Jesus stated in John 10:16 "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd," indicating a future unificationEVRR408+1. This final flock will keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, as Revelation 12:17 foretellsEVRR408+1.

At the end of time, God's people will be a small flock compared to the world's population, but God will be their refugeTT 308.3. When the last trump sounds and the righteous rise, standing with the loyal and true of all ages, God's children will be the majorityTT 308.3. The period immediately preceding the second coming of Christ is marked by the three angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-14 which provide instruction on how to prepare for this eventSITI September 14, 1891, page 291.1. The third angel's message encompasses the others and contains the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, comprising all necessary instruction to make "the remnant of Israel" a pure people prepared for the Lord's comingSITI September 14, 1891, page 291.1+1. This message is the gospel in its purity, announcing Christ's second coming and detailing how to be ready for itSITI September 14, 1891, page 291.1. It is destined to ripen the harvest of the Earth, leading to a perfect church and causing those who oppose it to reach the extreme of apostasy from righteousnessGCDB October 29, 1889, page 105.4.

The true church experienced a period of obscurity and seclusion, referred to as being "in the wilderness," from A.D. 538 to 1798 Revelation 12:6, 14EVRR404+1. This was a time when the "mystery of iniquity" 2 Thessalonians 2:7 worked, and a great apostasy led to the dominance of a power that usurped God's place and claimed the right to legislate for the churchEVRR263+3. During this time, the true church, though not destroyed, was hidden from public view in secret places, protected and nourished by God's providenceDAR1909 553.1+1. However, the time was appointed for her to emerge from the wilderness, first "fair as the moon," then "clear as the sun," and finally "terrible as an army with banners"ARSH January 24, 1865, page 65.16.

As God's people draw near the final crisis, they must proclaim His message with increasing powerRH July 16, 1901, par. 7. The warning must be given to the churches, and God's requirements presented to those transgressing His law, emphasizing that this is a matter of life and deathRH July 16, 1901, par. 7. God's remnant people are to fill the Earth with the cry of the third angelRH July 16, 1901, par. 7. This message, as an everlasting truth, is to be proclaimed with increasing power, leading up to the great final test1888 1710.1. This test will come to the churches in conjunction with true medical missionary work, guided by the Great Physician1888 1710.1. The word of God, requiring obedience to the system of Bible truth, is a life and death question1888 1710.1. Faith in the past and present truth must be spoken, prayed for, and presented with both pen and voice1888 1710.1.

In the final conflict, Satan will instigate the indignation of apostate Christendom against the humble remnant who conscientiously refuse to accept false customs and traditionsST November 8, 1899, par. 8+1. Blinded by the prince of darkness, popular religionists will align with Satan, determining and oppressing as he hasST November 8, 1899, par. 8+1. Liberty of conscience, secured at great cost, will no longer be respectedST November 8, 1899, par. 8+1. The church and the world will unite, and the world will lend its power to the church to suppress the right of people to worship God according to His WordST November 8, 1899, par. 8+1. This decree against God's remnant will be similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the JewsLDE 258.2. The reverence of God's people for His law will serve as a constant rebuke to those who have abandoned the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His SabbathLDE 258.2. During this perilous time, when the enemies of truth attack, God's people will face cut off resources and taunts about their feebleness and small numbers, but God will not forsake themTA 266.3. Their only hope will be in God's mercy and prayerT32 229.1. Like Joshua pleading before the Angel, the remnant church will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus, their AdvocateT32 229.1. Despite their consciousness of sin and unworthiness, the tempter will try to destroy their faith, but God will protect them, as stated in Zephaniah 2:3+2. Only those with the seal of the living God will be sheltered from the storm of wrath that falls on those who reject truthEVRR238. This seal is an invisible mark that only angels can read, serving as a sign of redemption and protection during the time of trouble, reminiscent of the Passover in EgyptEVRR238.

The ultimate triumph of God's remnant church is depicted in prophetic visionULe 214.5+1. The 144,000, sealed and perfectly united, will have God's name, the New Jerusalem, and Jesus' new name on their foreheadsExV 11.1. They will sing a new song that no one else can learn, a song of experience that even Abraham, despite his great faith, cannot join Revelation 14:3+1CIS 366.1. This chorus of 144,000 voices, in perfect accord, will sing the "song of Moses...and the song of the Lamb"CIS 366.1. The wicked, enraged at the happy and holy state of the 144,000, will attempt to imprison them, but the righteous will stretch forth their hand in the Lord's name, causing the wicked to fall helpless to the groundExV 11.1. At this point, even the synagogue of Satan will acknowledge that God has loved those who demonstrate unity and purityExV 11.1. Then, a small cloud, the sign of the Son of Man, will appear, drawing closer and becoming gloriously white, with the Son of Man seated upon it, adorned with crownsExV 11.1. His eyes, like a flame of fire, will search His children, causing the faces of the rejected to gather blackness and the righteous to question the spotlessness of their robesExV 11.1. After a period of silence, Jesus will declare that those with clean hands and pure hearts shall stand, affirming that His grace is sufficient, filling hearts with joyExV 11.1. As Jesus descends, His silver trumpet will sound, and the sleeping saints will awaken clothed with immortality, joining the 144,000 who are changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the airExV 11.1. They will ascend to the sea of glass, where Jesus will place crowns on their heads and give them harps of gold and palms of victoryExV 11.1. Standing perfectly united on the sea of glass, all will be satisfied with their crowns, clothed in glorious white mantlesExV 11.1. As they march to the city gate, Jesus will swing open the pearly gate and invite them to enter, saying, "You have washed your robes in my blood, stood stiffly for my truth, enter in"ExV 11.1. They will then enter the city, having a perfect right to be there, and behold the tree of life and the throne of GodExV 11.1. Out of the throne flows a pure river of water, with the tree of life on either side, symbolizing eternal life and communion with God Revelation 21:27ExV 11.1+1.