From a biblical perspective the best known verse referring to a remnant is found in Revelation 12:17, where we read that “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” (which is the Spirit of Prophecy, as noted in Revelation 19:10).

This suggests that the initial majority (“the woman” mentioned earlier in the same chapter) has lost at least one of these two characteristics and therefore has become spiritually dead.

The cunning dragon mentioned in this verse fights desperately, because he knows that he is running out of time and that his end is near. He is fighting a lost cause in a battle he cannot win; yet, he is doing his utmost to drag with him as many as possible to the same ruin: “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

The Bible compares his attitude to that of a lion seeking prey: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Although he is trying to destroy everyone, his favorite victims—the object of his special targeting and assaults—are “the very elect,” whom he is trying to deceive by any possible means (Matthew 24:24).

I remember when a tiger escaped from the zoo near where I lived, and everyone in the area was warned to stay indoors. The people could be exposed to great danger if they dared to step out of their homes without protection! This is true also in a spiritual sense for everyone, generally speaking—especially for the remnant who are to equip themselves with the whole armor of God. (See Ephesians 6:10–17.)

The strength of the remnant is not their own. It comes from the One who affirmed, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18), after defeating the devil on his own ground.

Why did only a small remnant survive? What made the difference between the two groups? It must have to do with “the commandments of God” and “the testimony of Jesus,” and the way the remnant related to them. It was these that separated them.

While some kept the commandments and the testimony of Jesus for a certain length of time, they abandoned them once the principles conflicted with their worldly interests. Perhaps even their physical survival was at stake. These persons are symbolized by the seed that fell on the rock in the parable told by Jesus. They once received the word with joy—but they had no root, and when temptation came they fell away (Luke 8:13). But the remnant survived spiritually by clinging to the principles of God’s law steadfastly unto the end. God has never been without at least a small group of faithful followers who have remained steadfast in spite of the widespread apostasy. These are standard bearers, holding up the flame of truth. “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:4, 5). This remnant stands in the strength that God gives them.

The servant of the Lord was shown that “not all . . . would be ensnared by the enemy’s devices. As the end of all things earthly should approach, there would be faithful ones able to discern the signs of the times. While a large number of professing believers would deny their faith by their works, there would be a remnant who would endure to the end.” 1

It doesn’t matter how large the initial group was, or how many began running in the Christian race; it is not so important to know how many got lost along the way. The most important thing is to be one of those who manage to finish the Christian life victoriously and be found among the saved: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (Revelation 2:26). “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:38, 39).

We are repeatedly exposed to various temptations and trials along the Christian pathway. Some of these, with God’s help, we may be able to overcome quite easily, because they do not stir up any response within us. Others prove themselves to be real challenges in our spiritual life—they stir up a sensitive chord in our heart, address some weak points or tendencies in our character. It is then that temptation becomes a real challenge—a moment when the individual has to make a painful choice:

Yield to temptation and (maybe) enjoy “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25), followed by the burden of guilt, remorse, and the pricks of conscience; or deny one’s own temporary pleasures or interests and do what is right regardless of the cost of self-denial (“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”) but enjoy long-term inner peace and a clear conscience (Hebrews 12:4).

In the parable of the prodigal son, we have the example of the elder brother who denied himself and rendered obedience to his father’s will. “Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment” (Luke 15:29). He was feeling frustrated about his experience, which didn’t really bring him any genuine satisfaction or fulfillment. It seems that the only real difference between him and his brother was that he did not dare to do what his brother had done. He had been obedient to his father and had been serving him just because he did not want to take risks and he feared the consequences. But he did not experience happiness by serving his father and living in harmony with his father’s will. This kind of shallow obedience, although honorable in the eyes of people, cannot be regarded as a spiritual achievement. God does not accept anything but heartfelt willingness.

An entirely different kind of obedience was shown in the experience of our Saviour, who could rightly say: “The prince of this world cometh, and he hath nothing in me” (John 14:30). There was not a hook which Satan could use to entice Jesus; there was no positive response whatsoever in Christ’s soul to any of the devil’s temptations.

Jesus did not obey His Father against His own will or pleasure. His obedience to the Father was in full harmony with His own will; it was an expression of His own will. This attitude was perfectly illustrated in His life’s experience on this earth, just as had been foretold centuries before: “ I delight to do thy will, O my God : yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8, emphasis supplied).

The righteous prophet Daniel understood the fundamental principle that an outward obedience is not sufficient, unless it is motivated by an inner willingness and joy to do the will of God. For this reason, before daring to give any advice at all to King Nebuchadnezzar, he emphasized the fact that obedience is valuable only if it comes out of a happy, willing heart: “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee , and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility” (Daniel 4:27).

According to Strong’s concordance, the actual meaning of the word “acceptable” which appears in this verse, in the original language “shephar’” is “to be beautiful,” “be acceptable,” “please,” + “think good.” This meaning appears also in the translation of this Bible verse in other languages. It was only after Nebuchadnezzar would be pleased with the counsel, “think good” of it and like it, that his obedience would have any value at all.

“But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love.” 2

When the first psalm describes the characteristics of the man who is blessed by God, it states that “his delight is in the law of the Lord” (verse 2). This person finds pleasure in doing God’s will; his or her will is not in conflict with God’s law. God’s will as expressed in His law and the individual’s will are in perfect harmony with each another. The same thought is found in Psalm 112:1, “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”

If we contemplate the various challenges we individually face, we will count among those challenges various strong temptations that must be resisted. Perhaps the biggest issue we face is rendering obedience with the right motivation and attitude, with a will that is fully submerged in the will of God—loving what He loves and hating what He hates. Meeting this challenge is possible only by the new birth.

The new birth is not a change in the outward behavior. It is a radical change in thinking that changes our identity. The depth of the soul is altered through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“ A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. ” 3

Those who bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) “will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved they hate. ” 4

Since God is just, He gives equal opportunities to all—the Holy Spirit works in every human being, striving to bring about this new kind of experience. Why then will some be saved while others will be lost? What makes this difference? The answer is quite simple: God has endowed all with free will. Only by our consent and cooperation can the Holy Spirit change us. Therefore our submissive willingness to His bidding must be constant.

We must keep in mind God’s love and wisdom—and that in choosing His way, in the long run we will be happy. Theoretically, this sounds good and seems pretty reasonable. But when we try to put this truth into practice in our everyday life, we find that the choice often requires a struggle. The Bible calls this struggle “the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). But if we choose our own way, we will actually get farther and farther away from happiness.

During this struggle, we need to frequently remind ourselves about God’s boundless love and His infinite wisdom and power, so that we can remember to trust the Unseen and make our choices in life accordingly. The more we study God’s word, the more we will recognize the beauty of His character and the marvels of His plans. That increased recognition of Him will make it much easier for us to understand and identify with His plan for us. By following God’s plan, we will actually be fulfilling our own will, which has become similar to His.

The opposite is to be like Balaam. He obeyed God’s plan but did so grudgingly, out of frustration, feeling that the will of God prevented him from acquiring wealth and happiness. This kind of obedience was of no value to him!

If we have been thinking like Balaam—missing out on the genuine new birth experience or coming short of it—it’s high time to awaken and to be restored to the kind of relationship with God that will enable us to pass safely through the extreme trials ahead.

The messenger of the Lord declares: “ What shall I say to arouse the remnant people of God? I was shown that dreadful scenes are before us; Satan and his angels are bringing all their powers to bear upon God’s people. He knows that if they sleep a little longer he is sure of them, for their destruction is certain.” 5

“ ‘ Will ye shun the seven last plagues? Will ye go to glory and enjoy all that God has prepared for those who love Him and are willing to suffer for His sake? If so, ye must die that ye may live. Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have, for the day of the Lord cometh. . . . Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altar—self, property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory. ’ ” 6

“When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. ” 7

It is not God’s will for us to produce an outwardly righteous life as the Pharisees tried to do. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). The entire being, including our thoughts and feelings, must all be brought into obedience to the Lord: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, emphasis supplied).

It is then, and only then, that Jesus will be able to come and claim us as His own, because “ when he shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2, emphasis supplied). This goal can be achieved when only we have the mind of Christ: “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus ” (Philippians 2:5, emphasis supplied). Such an experience is what is meant by “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

When this condition is fulfilled, when we have the mind of Christ and think His thoughts, share His values and have feelings and attitude in harmony with Him, then the fruit of the Spirit will be perfectly revealed in our life. “The righteousness of the law” will be “fulfilled in us” because we “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4).

It is the principle of love—the very foundation of God’s law and the expression of His character—that motivates the Christian’s actions and behavior, pervading all the aspects of life. It is thus that “the righteousness of the law” is fulfilled in all respects. “Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny.” 8

The practical aspects of our faith will thus be manifest in many areas of our life, including:

Joy in God’s Law and Sabbathkeeping:

“The work of restoration and reform carried on by the returned exiles, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, presents a picture of a work of spiritual restoration that is to be wrought in the closing days of this earth’s history. . . . 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.” 9

“The first work of Christians is to be united in the family.” 10

“To a large extent parents create the atmosphere of the home circle, and when there is disagreement between father and mother, the children partake of the same spirit. Make your home atmosphere fragrant with tender thoughtfulness. If you have become estranged and have failed to be Bible Christians, be converted; for the character you bear in probationary time will be the character you will have at the coming of Christ. If you would be a saint in heaven, you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society.” 11

“It is for their own good that the Lord counsels the remnant church to discard the use of flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and other harmful foods . There are plenty of other things on which we can subsist that are wholesome and good. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view and endeavor to work steadily toward it.” 12

“ The remnant people of God must be a converted people. The presentation of this message is to result in the conversion and sanctification of souls. . . . There are some professed believers who accept certain portions of the Testimonies as the message of God, while they reject those portions that condemn their favorite indulgences. Such persons are working contrary to their own welfare and the welfare of the church. It is essential that we walk in the light while we have the light. Those who claim to believe in health reform, and yet work counter to its principles in the daily life practice, are hurting their own souls and are leaving wrong impressions upon the minds of believers and unbelievers.” 13

The servant of the Lord explains: “I saw that God’s people are on the enchanted ground, and that some have lost nearly all sense of the shortness of time and the worth of the soul. Pride has crept in among Sabbathkeepers—pride of dress and appearance. Said the angel, ‘Sabbathkeepers will have to die to self, die to pride and love of approbation. ’ . . . I saw that if self-exaltation was suffered to come in, it would surely lead souls astray, and if not overcome would prove their ruin. When one begins to get lifted up in his own eyes and thinks he can do something, the Spirit of God is withdrawn, and he goes on in his own strength until he is overthrown.” 14

“ Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. ” 15