Message summary: Join us as a part of the faithful remnant in affirming, contending and proclaiming the truth today!

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"He (Nebuchadnezzar) carried into exile to Babylon the remnant" (2 Chronicles 36:20).

As we observe the rapidly declining moral and spiritual conditions in our country* we wonder "What is going to happen?" There's a tendency to feel entitled and believe God is obligated to deliver us before things get really hard by taking us up in the rapture and that may happen of course.

But many who have followed Christ and who now follow Him have lived or now live in very hard conditions, including persecution. Consider the Hebrews description at the end of the great chapter on faith: "Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth" (Hebrews 11:35-38).

We often begin our prayer with thankfulness for the peaceful and relatively prosperous conditions in which we currently live. We're especially mindful of that as we eat our meals outside on our back yard deck surrounded by friendly neighbors and produce growing on nearby farm land.

But this could rapidly change. The Bible says we reap what we sow and this applies to both individuals and nations.

It happened to Judah and 2 Chronicles 36 described it this way: "The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against His people, until there was no remedy" (15,16).

God indeed sent judgment graphically as described in verses 17-21. Part of this judgment included Nebuchadnezzar who was "carried into exile to Babylon the remnant" (2 Chronicles 36:20).

Scripturally “remnant” is used for the people of God who remain faithful during a time of apostasy and judgment. The first reference in the Bible is Joseph speaking to his brothers, "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance" (Genesis 45:7).

You’ve probably heard or repeated the phrase, "God has always had a people". Our faith is strengthened and our courage emboldened as we study the lives of God’s people throughout history who are among the faithful remnant. Even during the darkest Biblical times we find faithful followers such as Gideon and Jephthah who lived in the period of the Judges. They are listed in the “Faith Hall of Fame” of Hebrews 11.

Daniel, who remained faithful and diligent, was exiled to Babylon as mentioned in our daily text and among the remnant taken to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:20a). He was not alone for the record speaks of his three Hebrew friends as well (and surely there were others not mentioned in the Scripture records.) During the inter-testamental period, there were those who remained faithful to God (for example, the unknown scribes during that period who faithfully copied God’s Word and those awaiting the Messiah at the time of Christ's birth).

All through the Church’s 2,000 year history even in the bleakest of times the light of Truth has never extinguished and a remnant has remained faithful to God. There were brave souls like John Wycliffe who stood up for God under terrible persecution and ridicule prior to the Reformation.

Wycliffe translated the Bible into English and organized a group of poor parishioners, known as the Lollards, to go throughout England preaching Christian truths and reading the Scriptures in their mother tongue to all who would hear God’s word. As a result the Word of God, through Wycliffe’s translation, became available to many Englishmen. Wycliffe International, a Bible translation ministry, is named after him.

Many of our brethren continue to be oppressed and persecuted. Today we speak of those who, like the ancient Israelites and those all through the church age, are holding to their faith in God representing the faithful remnant. Romans 11:5 remains true: "So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace" (although this verse is specifically speaking of a Jewish remnant).

We heard a radio preacher make this simple statement: "It’s easier to compromise than to contend". Today we rejoice that we are among the faithful remnant who are contending for the truth!

Brooksyne and I confess our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and reaffirm our commitment to serve Him wholeheartedly whatever happens. We join Watchman Nee in his simple creedal statement: “Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe.”

We hope you will join us as part of the faithful remnant in affirming, contending and proclaiming the gospel truth today! Due to God's judgment on the land the remnant had their lives disrupted. I ask myself and I ask you, are you prepared to have your life disrupted and stay steadfast in your faith and obedience to God?

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13