Who are God's Chosen People? Ancient Israel vs Modern Remnant

God’s chosen people are those who choose to obey His word and purify their souls through obedience to the truth2T 108.1. Historically, this designation belonged to the children of Israel, whom God selected as a special treasure above all nations upon the earth Deuteronomy 7:62T 108.1. In the present age, God’s chosen people are His modern Israel—His remnant church—who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus Revelation 14:12GP 47.1+1.

The Historical Israel

• Chosen by Love: God did not choose ancient Israel because they were more numerous than other nations, but because He loved them and was faithful to the oath He swore to their fathers Deuteronomy 7:7-82T 108.1+1.

• A Peculiar Treasure: They were called to be a holy nation and a royal priesthood, acting as intermediaries to bring the knowledge of salvation to all other nations 1 Peter 2:9BHOTV2 92.1.

• Condition of Obedience: Their status as the chosen people was a conditional covenant; continued blessing depended upon their diligent listening to the voice of the Lord and keeping His statutes Deuteronomy 28:1-2ARSH May 9, 1854, page 122.24.

• Loss of Character: Through disloyalty and the following of their own evil imaginations, the Jewish nation eventually lost their peculiar, holy character and misrepresented God’s name to the worldPr 147.1+1.

God’s People Today

• Modern Israel: Today, those who are trying to obey God and are exalting the standard of righteousness are recognized as God’s chosen generationGP 47.1+1.

• Distinctive Characteristics: These individuals are identified by their scrupulous neatness, purity of life, and the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath as a sign of their loyalty to the Creator Exodus 31:13KC 105.3+2.

• A Remnant Church: God has called out a specific people to proclaim the third angel's message and to be His representatives upon the earth in these last daysGP 47.1+2.

• Character of the Remnant: The remnant of Israel is described as a company that will not do iniquity or speak lies, having the perfect righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ Zephaniah 3:13SITI December 28, 1888, page 790.12.

The Purpose of the Choice

• Patterns of Piety: God requires His chosen treasure to be elevated, refined, and sanctified, serving as patterns of piety to a world in darknessSA 143.1+1.

• Witnesses to Truth: They are appointed to reflect the goodness, mercy, and justice of God’s character, making the living truth known through institutions like sanitariums and through personal missionary labor9MR 84.1+2.

• Final Triumph: Despite the fierce tests and trials that await them, God’s chosen people will stand unmoved in the final crisis, protected by angels that excel in strength Revelation 7:2-3TSA 62.1.

True followers of Christ are those who are partakers of the divine nature and who show forth the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light 1 Peter 2:92T 108.1+1.