“Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom; we would have been made like Gomorrah” (Isaiah 1:9).
A remnant is a fragment, a small part of the original often considered of little value.It is a piece of cloth at the end of the bolt that is usually thrown into the bargain bin.The remnant designation is used by several Bible writers as a symbol of God’s church.But if you were to ask most non-Adventist Christians if they believe their church to be “the remnant,” the answer would likely be no; some because they find the designation elitist and offensive; others because they have no idea what you’re talking about.
Seventh-day Adventists have, throughout their history, considered themselves to be the fulfillment of the prophesied remnant in Revelation 12:17: “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.”In fact, in the 1860’s Adventists gave consideration to calling themselves “The Remnant.”Some might find it surprising, therefore, to learn that it was not until the General Conference session in 1980 that a statement dealing with the concept of the remnant was included in their Fundamental Beliefs.It is one of our newer doctrinal statements.
Here it is, Fundamental Belief Number 13: “The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of wide spread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent.This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14.It coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth.Every believer is called to have a personal part in this world-wide witness.”
God has always had a remnant who tried to represent Him in our sinful world. But when we talk about the end-time remnant church, what do we mean?We mean that somewhere in this world one can find the lamp of truth still burning, that somewhere a group exists whose Biblical teachings are in strict harmony with Scripture.If they are faithful to their calling, such a group, though small, should not be that hard to find.It should be as simple as finding the healthiest, happiest, holiest people in the world, right?But maybe we need something a bit more objective.Let’s turn to the Bible for a more precise definition.
1. The end-time remnant arises right on time in fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
The twelfth chapter of Revelation outlines the great controversy between Christ and Satan. According to this prophecy, the remnant make their appearance sometime after the end of the 1260 years of the great tribulation which ended in 1798 (Rev. 12:6, 14).They must come into being by the end of the 2300-day prophecy which ended in 1844 if they are to give the judgment-hour message of Revelation 14:6-8.That message and the two that accompany it are the most solemn warnings ever given to mortals.When God has a message to give, He raises up messengers.The prophesied remnant would appear on time.
2. The remnant keep all the commandments of God.
Revelation 14:12 places the remnant in sharp contrast to those who serve Satan and worship the beast.The remnant, through faith in Jesus, keep the commandments of God (John 15:10); the rest of the world rebel against His righteous laws and receive the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16).Those searching for the remnant must find those who are putting the fourth commandment back in its rightful place among the Ten.
3. The remnant have the faith of Jesus.
Jesus had absolute confidence in the trustworthiness of the Bible.“The scripture cannot be broken,” He says in John 10:35.Just so, the faith of those who constitute the remnant will be more than mere profession; it will be a faith that works, a faith that leads to active, loving obedience. Here is a group whose model in all things pertaining to spiritual life is Jesus.
4. The remnant have the gift of prophecy.
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who . . . have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17).“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10).The true remnant will have every spiritual gift including the gift of prophecy.
5. The remnant proclaims the three angels’ messages.
Arising in the period following the close of the great tribulation (1798), the remnant would be identified by their proclamation of the true gospel, the investigative judgment, the high-priestly ministry of Christ in heaven’ s sanctuary, the fall of Babylon, and the warning against receiving the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:6-12).
6. The end-time remnant are the special targets of the wrath of Satan.
The true remnant may or may not be seen as experiencing persecution, depending on the time and place of one’s search.But at any given moment since the beginning of their history, the remnant have been treated with contempt and abuse in some part of our world, and will be so treated throughout the whole world before Christ returns.“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
7. The remnant are the special objects of God’s love and care.
God’s providential care for His people will be a witness to an unbelieving world.“The remnant of Israel shall . . . feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid” (Zeph. 3:13).The mission of the end-time remnant will advance with such rapidity that the world in general will recognize them as having the favor of God.“The earth was illuminated with his glory” (Rev. 18:1).
Who is it?
So, we ask: Does a church exist in our world today which meets these seven Bible characteristics that identify God’s true remnant?
What church arose at the very time that the anti-typical day of atonement began in 1844 in fulfillment of Daniel 8:14?The Methodists were a hundred years too early, the Jehovah’s Witnesses forty years too late.The Mormons were pretty much on time but had no understanding of Jesus’ high priestly ministry and did nothing to restore the Sabbath.
What church keeps all the commandments of God, including the fourth, which specifies the seventh day of the week as the true Sabbath according to Exodus 20:8-11?The Jews do but do not have faith in Jesus.The Seventh-day Baptists do but do not have the Spirit of Prophecy.
What church has the faith of Jesus, a faith that surrenders completely to the will of God as Jesus did in Gethsemane, and renders active, loving obedience to all that God asks?Many churches might make this claim, but they either do not accept the entire Bible or are selective in what they choose to obey.
What church has the gift of prophecy—not a part-time, hit-and-miss gift—but a prophet whose teachings align perfectly with those of Scripture?Some groups have made this claim, but when challenged by the Bible tests of a true prophet, they fail.
What church is proclaiming at this very hour in virtually every country on this planet the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14?Most churches have no understanding of these messages and therefore no interest in proclaiming them.
What church, according to the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, will feel the special wrath of Satan? Many churches have been persecuted throughout history, but the remnant is a New Testament Christian church that is persecuted for keeping all the commandments of God (Rev. 12:14).
What church is the special object of God’s favor as evidenced by the fact that, though small in numbers, it has a medical, educational, evangelistic, and publishing work second to none among all the churches of the world?
To all of these questions we can answer without hesitation: the Seventh-day Adventists.Of the seven foregoing identifying marks, what other church in all the world can rightly claim that even one or two, much less six or seven, accurately defines them? We have found the remnant which the Bible foretold.
Perhaps the most unqualified endorsement of all we have been saying is this: “Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world.By the great cleaver of truth, He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself.He has made them His representatives and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation.The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 138).
We must hasten to add that each Seventh-day Adventist must qualify personally with respect to remnant identity.The foregoing qualifications can be used in a somewhat theoretical way to identify the remnant church; the crucial question is: Do they describe you and me?
This article is an excerpt from Lee Roy Holmes' book The Church That Will Not Fall. Lee Roy is a Retired SDA pastor, College Place, WA.
Mission of the WCAS Newsletter
To strengthen member resolve to do the work of Jesus,
To encourage Adventist laypeople to pray for world church leaders,
To equip them to become actively involved in decision-making in their conference constituency,
To realistically inform them of items of concern, and
To accomplish these in a positive and balanced manner remaining vigilant with regard to the present crisis facing the Church.
WCAS Principles of Action #8 Kent Knight
Principle #8: Participants embrace the conviction that God is in control, and choose not to be intimidated by factions opposing truth in the Church.
For some, if not many, in our Seventh-day Adventist church family, the conviction that God is in control may have felt challenged lately. The following lyrics, “God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own” speak to my convictions. So does the following: “…in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, behind, above, and through all the play and counter play of human interests and power and passions, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will” (Education, p. 173). These words are in harmony with Isaiah 46:9-11 which in part reads as follows:
"…God…declares the end from the beginning…”
“saying, My counsel shall stand….”
“Indeed I have spoken it;”
“I will also bring it to pass.”
“I have purposed it;”
“I will also do it.”
Further, and always to my amazement and wonder, the sovereignty of God as set forth here in Isaiah, finds its specific demonstrations in many New Testament passages. Consider the one in Acts 4:27-28, where we find words voiced by Peter and John and company after these apostles had been threatened by the Jewish authorities not to speak of Jesus anymore before being released:
“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purposes determined before to be done.” (Note: Caiaphas had no idea that he was fulfilling prophecy--John 11:49-52; Compare Revelation 17:17 “For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose….”).
With these remarkable words in mind—words that speak of God being in control, exercising His Sovereign will while respecting each of our free wills, observe the following statement:
“Men of all characters, righteous and unrighteous, will stand in their various positions in God’s plan. With the characters they have formed, they will act their part in the fulfillment of history. In a crisis, just at the right moment, they will stand in the places they have prepared themselves to fill. Believers and unbelievers will fall into line as witnesses to confirm truth that they themselves do not comprehend.” Review and Herald, 6/12/1900
These words are greatly reassuring; God knows the future—He knows the needs, necessities and emergencies that await us. He has already made provision to help us meet them. Since He knows the dangers that will beset our feet as we travel the road towards His kingdom, He enables us, as individuals and us as His church, either to avoid them or meet them successfully.
As prophesied, in the unfolding crisis and shaking that is upon us, the question before all of us is ‘when it is all said and done, what place will you have prepared yourself to fill in acting your part in the fulfillment of prophecy?
As we have seen, God is in control. But does that mean He maps out our life experience, even in the church, and determines our destiny? Absolutely not. While God is all-knowing, His sovereignty takes into account each person’s free will. Regarding factions in the church, just look at the internal challenges Jesus set forth in His seven-fold prophecy detailing the experience of the church across the centuries from Ephesus—the Apostolic phase, to Laodicea—the judgment hour phase that culminates with Jesus’ return (Revelation 2 and 3).
It should not be surprising to find explicit counsel in the New Testament that speaks to today’s need in relating to those in the church who hold positions which are not in compliance with the Church Manual and General Conference Working Policies.* The Apostle Paul’s counsel in Philippians 1:27, 28 and Romans 16:17-19 provide specific instruction for faithful believers who might be intimidated by factions opposing truth in the Church. These texts read respectively as follows:
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”
“I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine* which you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil.”
These words are very encouraging for those of us who otherwise might be concerned or discouraged over current realities. Further, these words make it clear that faithful Christians are not to stand by helplessly in matters vital to the health and integrity of the Body of Christ—the Church. Lay-led World Church Affirmation Sabbath represents a concerted effort on the part of growing numbers of our members to be used of God to aid the faithful from the local to the global in their readiness to proclaim the Loud Cry in preparation for Jesus’ return.
*Church organization is a biblically based doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Church Manual, chapter 4).
WCAS 10 Principles of Action
Participants support the decisions of the world church expressed through the General Conference.
Participants seek unity on the basis of inspired truth rather than cultural compromise.
Participants uphold God’s purpose for church organization and for pressing together rather than separation.
Participants learn Protestant biblical interpretation – the historical-grammatical method.
Participants are active and responsible members in their local congregation.
Participants learn how to work effectively in board and constituency meetings.
Participants commit themselves to pray for faithful workers, and for Heaven to provide godly, decisive leaders for the harvest.
Participants embrace the conviction that God is in control, and choose not to be intimidated by factions opposing truth in the Church.
Emphasizing connection to Jesus our Lord, participants learn how to resist pluralism, congregationalism, and other present errors.
World Church Affirmation Sabbath emphasizes the Seventh-day Adventist representative form of church governance. We are the Church.
The Voting Has Begun
The "Statement of Harmony" shared by World Church Affirmation Sabbath (WCAS) with fellow-Adventists through our WCAS newsletter, Nameless Network, Fulcrum 7 and friends only two weeks ago, has begun to reap results. We are pleased to announce three churches ---
Pie Town High Country SDA Church, in New Mexico, NAD
Ojai Valley SDA Church, Ojai CA, Southern California Conference, NAD
Oxford SDA Church in South New Zealand Conference, SPDhave voted in favor of the "Statement of Harmony" giving affirmation to the world church of Seventh-day Adventists.
have voted in favor of the "Statement of Harmony" giving affirmation to the world church of Seventh-day Adventists.
One may say, "Only three churches," but remember --- most churches have Board Meetings only once a month. Some churches are choosing to vote this issue in the "business session" to include the vote of all church members. And business sessions often occur only one a year. This process takes time, but WCAS is patient.
Please, remember to notify WCAS when your church has voted the "Statement" at affirmationsabbath@gmail.com.
*** Please note, a small but significant change to the "Statement of Harmony" has been made in its final paragraph (see below). The change makes this an international document allowing the inclusion of all divisions around the world to become signatories.
from WCAS Friends
Oxford SDA Church:
"Our church - Oxford SDA in the South NZ conference, South Pacific Division, NZ Pacific Union, voted at its business meeting on November 28 2018 to support the Statement of Harmony with the world church of Seventh-day Adventists. I think you should know this puts us out of harmony with our division leaders but I know there are many faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are seeking to follow God's ways despite the prevailing apostacy. Thank you for all you do to preserve the faith. Thank youfor giving us a voice."
Ojai Valley SDA Church:
"We want WCAS to know that the voted unanimously for the "Statement of Harmony" in support of the world church of SDA."
Upcoming Meetings of Importance
If you know of upcoming meetings please send the information to affirmationsabbath@gmail.com
== April 9-10, 2019 Spring Council, Silver Spring, MD
== September 15, 2019 Upper Columbia Conference Constituency Meeting,
Spangle, WA
Dennis Priebe defines the two churches within Seventh-day Adventism (evangelical and traditional/historic Adventism). Great quotes and examples from non-SDA authors to explain some of the trends that are bearing fruit today. (58 minutes)
Ted Wilson speaks during the 2017 Annual Council and addresses the non compliant elements within the church. (1 minute 20 seconds)
Karnik Doukmetzian General Counsel for the Seventh-day Adventist Church tell the non-compliant at the 2018 General Council Annual Council that the law is not on their side.
The WCAS Newsletter is distributed to interested Adventists. It originated in the Pacific Northwest and will on occasion feature some material of special interest to UCC church members. It is prepared by participants from UCC-WCAS and Nameless Network. We invite readers from all NAD Conferences to forward dates for their upcoming conference constituency meetings. We are also interested in brief, factual reports of especially encouraging or troubling conference executive committee and constituency meeting actions from across the NAD. Submit these short items to the editor at affirmationsabbath@gmail.com. Responses will be limited. SUBMISSION TO WCAS NEWSLETTER CONSTITUTES PERMISSION TO PUBLISH.
Regarding the use of WCAS Newsletters
We are glad to provide WCAS Newsletter freely to Adventist readers. We speak plainly in its pages and view it as best that non-Adventists not be engaged in these questions. We plead with readers not to post the newsletter onto the internet in any form. Readers are encouraged to email the Newsletter only to other interested Adventists. Readers are also granted permission to print-out hard copies of this Newsletter to give to interested church members who do not use email. Thank you for respecting our earnest wishes that you not to post the Newsletter to the internet.
Contact
Physical:
World Church Affirmation Sabbath
PO Box 28034
Spokane, WA 99228 Web:
Reach WCAS communication director at: mail to: AffirmationSabbath@gmail.com
