For right or wrong reasons, whether done in truth or in error, the word or concept of “remnant” is frequently used by splinter groups as justification for breaking away from the “apostate” church at large, or as a basis for quantifying the “great” falling away in the last days.
Without justifying either camp, let us look solely at the word “remnant” from biblical perspective.
Jeremiah 23:3-4
“Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.
Romans 9:27-28
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED; FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY.”
Romans 11:5-7
In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;
Firstly, whether in the Old Testament or New Testament, the word “remnant” has always been used to refer to the nation of Israel, not the church. Thus, to use the concept of “remnant” as biblical basis to judge or separate from the “institutional” church is to misrepresent scriptures.
Secondly, there will surely be a multitude of Gentiles saved as compared to the 144,000 remnants of the tribes of Jacob (c.f. Revelation 7:4-17). Thus, whatever symbolism we want to attach to the numbers, we cannot escape the fact that multitudes of the church will be saved as compared to the “remnant” of the tribes of Jacob.
I love the Jews, and I pray that more than a remnant will be saved; but regardless of the actual percentage, we cannot escape the fact that “remnant” is a concept in the Bible describing the Jews, not the church.
Thirdly, the word “remnant” was only used in the New Testament twice, both times referring to the small number of Jews who recognised Jesus Christ as their Saviour in the first century owing to their partial hardening by God. In other words, “remnant” had always referred to the comparatively small number of Jews who believed in Jesus as their Messiah, and thus were grafted into the church of Christ during the lifetime of Paul. Although this holds true until today, “remnant” was never specifically mentioned again in the New Testament outside of this context. In fact, once God removes the partial hardening when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26). Even though the meaning of “all Israel” here must be correctly understood, the concept of “remnant” no longer applies. So, the concept of “remnant” should not be used outside the context of this partial hardening of the Jews.
Fourthly, while there will be a falling away in the last days (Matthew 24:10; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:3), it does not necessarily mean that 70% of the church will fall away, with only a remnant of 30% saved. It could very well be 70% saved, with only 30% falling away. Whether it will be “many” (Matthew 24:10 in the Jewish context) or “some” (1 Timothy 4:1 in the church context) who will fall away, I believe that it will be significant. So, just for gaining a numerical perspective, if significant numbers mean 20% to 40% of the current elect, it would still represent a “great” falling away in absolute terms.
Of course, one may use the wide gate / narrow gate teaching (Luke 13:23-24; Matthew 7:13-14) to justify the “apostate” church / “remnant” church concept. However, we must bear in mind that the gates do not speak of the number of people entering but the standard of living required for people to enter. The narrow gate speaks of a high standard of sanctification or an exacting requirement for sanctification in order to enter, while the wide gate speaks of the loose or non-existent requirement for sanctification. Even though more people will enter through the wide gate that leads to destruction because it is easier on the flesh, the narrow gate does not mean that only a remnant will enter despite being few or fewer in number. In fact, the wide gate may speak of the many unbelievers who could not find or who reject Jesus’ narrow gate as “the way, the truth, and the life” unto salvation, thus leaving the comparatively fewer believers who have found it.
The reason why we need to relook at the concept of “remnant” is that it severely limits our viewpoints on the ongoing workmanship of God in perfecting the church of Jesus Christ at large today. It hampers our faith in the providential power of the Spirit within the church He raised. It causes us to erroneously define, divide, and label “apostate” church and “remnant” church.
Having said all, only God knows who and how many will be saved when Jesus returns. What we need to do is to walk in sanctification, for no one will see the Lord without sanctification (Hebrews 12:14), as He is returning only for a pure and spotless bride. Let us not think that the bride will be an unblemished body of remnants but, rather, a perfected body of multitudes, for the Bridegroom, the Perfecter of our faith, will do it.
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