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by Jan Markell June 8, 2021 |
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You have heard of the word "remnant." Some people are
called "remnant believers." There are "remnant churches."
Perhaps you know of some or attend one. I often say that I do "radio
for the remnant." The most frequent e-mail I get is from people who make up the
“remnant”. But what is that? I write about this often and even do
radio about it as I’m trying to understand the phenomenon. Here are a couple
of e-mails. "Jan,
I feel the remnant is getting smaller every day as the time approaches for
the Lord's return. The world seems to be getting darker and more evil. I know
I am not alone as a member of the Body of Christ but at times it is easy to
feel isolated. No one gets it and no one wants to." “If I did not have access to you and a few others online, I
would be so isolated! I try to talk to people about issues that are
important, including end-times, and they look at me like I am an alien. A few
of you help me celebrate my alien status. I feel like a lonely gold fish in a
bowl. Prophecy is coming true right before our eyes. You and a few others are
making a huge difference with all of us aliens in the world.” Based on a lot of interactions, including people at my annual
conference, I have concluded this about "the remnant." ·
It
is made up of people longing for a solid church and a pulpit that will
address issues of the day as well as the nearness of the Lord's return. The
remnant wants a church that will not fear offending with the truth and that will
confront apostasy. ·
Remnant
believers have offended friends and family simply by telling them the
truth of our times or for sharing information that is relevant to our times.
This will often bring on mocking and scoffing. At the least, it results in
irritated indifference. This doesn't daunt a remnant believer and such a
tragic response doesn't keep them quiet! ·
Enthusiastic
remnant believers will travel across town or across the country to attend
events that present information about which the church is silent. ·
Remnant
believers often feel isolated and misunderstood even though they have the
truth and the naysayers are clueless! This is what is so frustrating.
Remnant believers want everyone to be tuned in and informed. They just want
to spread around a wealth of information about which few are interested! ·
Members
of the remnant church see our times darkening but remain enthusiastic that
this is but a herald of His coming -- not signs of doom and gloom. Yet
they will be told they are spreading bad news. ·
When
a remnant believer finds someone who is a kindred spirit, it is like
discovering a gold mine! ·
Such
believers often had a very solid church but in many cases, it went haywire. A
little leaven came in and ruined the whole loaf. They then begin a long
journey of searching for a new church which can take years. ·
Very
often these believers approached their church leadership to talk to them
about these things but they are most often shut out or even considered to be
troublemakers. ·
Understand
that the end-time church is racing towards Laodicea and is more
interested in conforming than transforming. Many churches and
leaders will focus on “your best life now.” ·
The
Bible suggests an end-time church will be small. In Luke 18:8, Jesus
asks if He will find any of faith when He returns. Many will have fallen
by the wayside. People who make quilts use a wide variety of mismatched
remnants. Such professionals discard sections of fabric from garments that
were no longer usable but they were then sewn into an unbelievably elegant
quilt! The tossed aside remnant became an object of creativity and beauty! If you are a remnant believer, take heart and remember that
you, too, are a creative and colorful quilt. Eternity may reveal that you
broke through to more people than you thought. And remember that such mocking
and scoffing are fulfilling end-time prophecies as well. Hang on and don't
grow weary in your well doing! Bouncing from church to church is likely not the best idea.
But sitting multiple times a week under bad theology, music with spiritually
unhealthy lyrics, or leadership that is just dysfunctional, is also not an
option. Cutting yourself off from fellowship is no better. Our assignment is to be "watchmen" (Ezekiel 33). We're
to be sounding an alarm. Trouble is ahead. The nations of the world seem
moved, as though by a hidden hand, into exactly the right positions on a
global chess board. Amazing things are happening before our eyes. How
can we be silent? So, remnant believers, let's not be silent. Go tell it on the mountains. The King is
coming, perhaps today! |
