Fundamental Belief #13--Remnant and Its Mission
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread 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 worldwide witness. (Read the verses here. Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)
The Story:
You will need an almost empty dish detergent bottle and a clear drinking glass in which to sit the upside-down bottle.
Good to the Last Drop
Thomas was helping Daddy wash the dishes after supper one evening. Daddy filled the sink with warm water and asked Thomas to get the detergent from underneath the sink so they could begin washing the dirty dishes. Thomas opened the cupboard door and sighed, “I don’t think we’ll have enough detergent to wash the dishes.”
“Why not?” asked Dad who was looking at the nearly empty bottle in Thomas’ hand.
“Can’t you see?” said Thomas, “The bottle is nearly empty. How can we do dishes if we don’t have detergent?”
Daddy smiled and turned the bottle upside-down over the sink. Slowly the remaining detergent drained down the neck of the bottle and as Daddy squeezed, out came a stream of thick dish detergent. Daddy closed the stopper and left the bottle upside-down in a glass.
“Well, I never thought there could be so much detergent in that empty bottle,” said Thomas.
“That’s because the bottle wasn’t really empty,” said Dad, “If you look at the upside-down bottle you’ll see there’s enough left for another sinkful or two of dishes. Never overlook the remnant.”
Thomas peered at the upside-down bottle and nodded in agreement. Indeed there was a sizeable pool of detergent collecting in the upside-down neck of the bottle.
Daddy and Thomas finished washing and drying and put the sparkling clean dishes in the cupboards ready for another meal and another washing.
Later on that evening, as Thomas was getting ready for bed, Dad came into his room to tuck him in and tell him a story before bedtime prayers. As Thomas put away his toys and pulled on his pajamas he was rather thoughtful and Daddy asked what was on his mind.
"I was thinking about what you said when we were doing the dishes," said Thomas. "You said not to overlook the rema... rema..."
"Remnant," said Daddy.
"Yes," said Thomas. "What does that mean?"
Daddy laughed as he explained, "The remnant is the last part of something. The last bit of detergent is the remnant or remainder of the full bottle. Just because there was just a small amount left doesn't mean it couldn't be used or it isn't as good as the first part of the bottle. The squirt or two of detergent we used tonight was just as powerful as the first squirt out of the bottle."
Thomas nodded and added, "Oh, I see. I guess I have a remnant of glue in my glue bottle and Janie has a remnant of her red crayon in her crayon box."
"Yes, that's right," said Daddy, "The glue and the crayon are still useable even though they are remainder of something that was once full or whole."
Thomas crawled into bed and Dad pulled the blankets up around his little boy's waist. Daddy reached for Thomas' Bible and opened it up. Daddy began reading, "'And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17 KJ2000B)'"
"Daddy, that Bible verse has the word "remnant" in it," said Thomas. "And I thought there was no such thing as a dragon," Thomas continued.
"Yes," said Daddy, "it does have the word "remnant" and you're right about dragons. But in the Bible, "dragon" is another name for Satan. Let me tell you all about it."
"When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and left their beautiful garden home Jesus promised that one day Satan would be defeated. That happened when Jesus died on the cross and ever since that time Satan has tried even harder to get as many people on his side as he can because he knows his time is short. Just before Jesus comes back to take us to heaven Satan will try even harder than he ever has before and will make trouble and war with God's people. God's people are the ones who remained loyal and faithful to God throughout the ages right until today. Anyone who leaves sin behind and loves and obeys God is considered a remnant or the last ones who will love God on this earth before He comes back and destroys Satan forever. Satan will know who we are because we will love God and keep His commandments. But when things get tough and difficult Jesus tells us to hang on. 'God’s people need to be very patient. They are the ones who obey God’s commands. They remain faithful to Jesus. Revelation 14:12 (NIRV)' While we are waiting for Jesus to return we need to keep busy helping others and telling them the Good News about Jesus. People need to know He is coming again and how they can be saved from Satan."
"Daddy," Thomas interrupted, "does that mean I'm a remnant?"
"Yes," said Daddy, "anyone who loves Jesus and obeys his commandments are His remnant people."
"Is that why you and Mommy help people and ask Mr. and Mrs. Gill to the meetings at church?" asked Thomas.
"Yes, that's part of it," said Daddy, "it also means remaining faithful to Jesus when things are hard and relying on Him to keep us safe and in His care. We can't do anything on our own without His help. That's why we have worship and pray together and ask Jesus to guard us and keep Satan away from us."
By now Thomas was getting sleepy so Daddy kissed him good night and prayed with him. Would you like to hear the prayer daddy prayed with Thomas. Close your eyes and we'll pray with Daddy and Thomas.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking care of us. Be with us as we work and play and get ready for You to come back to take us to heaven. Keep us faithful until You come. Amen.
The Bible Verses:
And the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17 (KJ2000B)
God’s people need to be very patient. They are the ones who obey God’s commands. They remain faithful to Jesus. (Revelation 14:12 NIRV)
The Song:
Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
~Words by J. H. Sammis
#590 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal
The Colouring Sheet:
Dish Washing: http://donnamarie.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/washingdishesbnw.jpg
Detergent Bottle: http://www.clker.com/clipart-dish-soap-bottle-outline.html
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