the remnant

I stood to give my first sermon in church in the year 2002 in our local church. Little did I know, that God had deposited something special in my heart and spirit; "the grace to understand His Word". The young me was eager to search in the scriptures on various subjects as I yearned to feed my hungry soul with the Truth. In a series of many sermons that quickly followed, I spoke with the help of the Holy Ghost about a subject I entitled "the remnants".

This blog is inspired by that sermon.

Today is another day. Deep down I realize we are getting closer to the coming of the son of man. And as the day draws nigh, my attention cannot help but notice the growing depravity and open transgression of divine order among our generation. Even among the people who are of the household of God; your ears will itch at the things they do.

For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. Ephesians 5:12

Young children are more familiar with all manner of wickedness than ever before in the history of mankind. Their innocence robbed so early. The teenagers cannot be contained any more. It is the most dreadful possession for a parent to have; a teenager.

It is almost impossible to find righteous men and women, young people who fear God, young children who are devotional. Churches are full of masses who only attend to clear their consciences and socialize. It is a thing of the past for young men and women to preserve their purity to honor God in their marriage. Even married people consider it a norm to have 'mpango wa kando'. The pastors are inspired by WIIFM; it's a business for them and all they care about is their belly and fame.

However, since the creation began, God has never lacked a man to stand before Him. He has always had a remnant: a people who have not bowed to foreign gods or corrupted their hearts.

1,600 years after Creation

This is the approximated number of years after creation that the flood began.  But those were terrible times. Angels took daughters of men as their wives. The earth was full of corruption and violence. But in the midst of this chaos, God had a remnant.

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.  So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6: 5 - 8

Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

I Alone Am Left

This was Elijah's view after all the predicaments that had befallen him. It was natural of him to think that he was the only one standing for God in a nation led by idolatry by Jezebel. But God revealed to Him the remnant. In the midst of a kingdom that was corrupt and given to worshipping idols, the LORD revealed to Elijah a mighty hidden army who were on God's side. Elijah did not know about them until then.

"Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18

It is Not Age that Matters

Consider the case of Eli's sons who were priests. The bible clearly says they were corrupt and did not know the LORD. They dared so much wickedness to the extent of taking forcefully the offerings and sacrifices from the people and laying with women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:17

Although it seemed as though priesthood would come to an end and the honor due to God by way of Sacrifice and Offering will be shoved aside, God had a man.

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 1 Samuel 2:18

The Invisible Army

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Romans 11:5

 In 2016 also, there is a remnant. God has reserved for Himself a people. Thousands and thousands of men, women, young people who are sincerely and truly devoted to Him. Men in whose lips there is no deceit. An army that prays day and night. They are invisible. They may not stand in the pulpit for you to know them, but they are among the remnant. In the lambs book of life, their names are written. God knows them. His eyes are upon them always.

They walk and are led of the Holy Spirit. Sealed and marked for redemption. They are different from the world and have no desire to imitate it. They are set on pilgrimage, desiring a better home and city. They have dipped their robes in the blood of the lamb, that they may wear them white in the marriage feast of the lamb.

They are a prototype of psalms 1. They walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor do they stand in the path of sinners, Neither do they sit in the seat of the scornful; But they delight in the law of the Lord, And in His law they meditate day and night.

Although they are appointed to face fiery and severe persecution from the enemy, still God shall cause them to triumph. Do not forget, were the days not shortened even the elect may not stand.

And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Mathew 24:22

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Psalms 20:6

God will do anything, (including shortening the period of tribulation), for Him to have a remnant.

Will you be the last man standing? Are you among the number? Are you among the remnant?