The Remnant Church: From Early Christians to the Reformation

The remnant church is the faithful lineage of God's people throughout history, characterized by their steadfast obedience to the commandments of God and their possession of the spirit of prophecy Revelation 12:17SSP 223.1+1. This identity spans from the literal descendants of Israel to the spiritual "Israelites indeed" who are gathered in the final generation before the second coming of Christ John 1:47SLH 108.2+1.

The Historical Foundation and Transition

Throughout history, the true church has often existed in a state of seclusion to escape the reach of apostasy and persecutionDAR1909 553.1.

• Ancient Israel: The term "remnant" originally referred to the small portion of the house of Jacob that remained faithful to God amidst national rebellion Romans 11:5SITI July 16, 1896, page 435.3.

• The Early Church: Early Christians, such as Polycarp in 108 A.D., demonstrated this faithfulness by facing martyrdom with the hope of the resurrection of both soul and bodyFT 98.7.

• The Wilderness Period: For 1260 years, the true church was forced into "the wilderness," a state of concealment from her foes, while a "mystery of iniquity" flourished in the public eye Revelation 12:6DAR1909 553.1.

• Historical Witness: Early church historians note that while some churches began to fast on Saturday to avoid appearing Jewish, a significant part of the body continued to observe the seventh-day Sabbath into the later centuriesHSFD 281.4+1.

The Development of Apostasy

Historical records outside the Bible confirm that the purity of the early church was gradually compromised by the introduction of pagan customs and human traditionsTTR 298.2.

• Sunday Legislation: Emperor Constantine issued the first Sunday law in 321 A.D., commanding rest on the "venerable day of the sun," which was a title familiar to pagan worshippersARSH May 22, 1900, page 328.12+1.

• Philosophy and Paganism: Figures like Justin Martyr brought Platonic philosophy into Christian theology, while other festivals like Christmas and Easter were adopted from heathen celebrations of the sun and the spring equinoxSOOCC 40.2+2.

• Papal Supremacy: The Roman church eventually set aside the commandment of God for the ordinances of men, enforcing its authority through the union of church and stateHSFD 328.1+1.

The Physical and Spiritual Nature of the Remnant

The remnant church is defined by both internal character and external practiceSDP 259.1+1.

• Spiritual Character: They are a people who do no iniquity and have no deceit in their mouths, reflecting the Christ-life within them Zephaniah 3:13SLH 108.2+1.

• Physical Observance: A primary distinguishing mark is the restoration of the long-degraded law of God, specifically the seventh-day Sabbath as the fourth commandmentSSP 223.1+1.

• Divine Guidance: The gift of prophecy, which was silent for a long period, is restored to the remnant to prepare them for the final crisis Revelation 19:10SSP 223.1+1.

The Final Work and the End

In the final days, the remnant church is called out by the third angel’s message to stand against the worship of the beast and his image Revelation 14:9-12TMR 111.2+1.

• The 144,000: This group represents the final generation of saints who are sealed with the Father’s name and sing a unique song of experience before the throne Revelation 14:1-3CIS 366.1+1.

• The Latter Rain: Just as the early rain empowered the apostles, a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit—the "latter rain"—will empower the remnant to give the loud cry of the message Zechariah 10:1BHB 111.3+1.

• Final Victory: Though the dragon is wroth and seeks to destroy them, the remnant will be preserved until the end, eventually standing on Mount Zion as victors over every worldly power Revelation 15:2-3SSP 223.1+1.

• Inheriting the Earth: Following the executive judgment where the wicked are reduced to ashes, the remnant will inherit the earth made new, dwelling in the presence of God forever Matthew 5:5+1SITI March 11, 1886, page 155.4+1.

The Reformation was a divine movement of deliverance where the Word of God was unchained to restore the foundations of truth and liberty, leading directly to the development of the remnant church which keeps the commandments of God. Revelation 12:17. This journey from the darkness of the Middle Ages to the light of the present day is a fulfillment of prophetic history.

The Rise of the Little Horn and the Period of Darkness

Before we can understand the Reformation, we must identify the power that necessitated it. Prophecy spoke of a "little horn" arising among the ten divisions of the fourth beast (Rome), which would "speak great words against the most High" and "wear out the saints of the most High." Daniel 7:25.

• The Seat of Power: This power arose on the body of the fourth beast, centered in the western kingdoms of Europe. Daniel 7:7-8.

• The Length of Supremacy: The saints were to be given into its hand for "a time and times and the dividing of time," which equates to 1260 years. Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6.

• The Corruption of Truth: This power "cast down the truth to the ground" and "thought to change times and laws," specifically targeting the law of God. Daniel 8:12, Daniel 7:25.

The Dawn of the Reformation

God did not permit His Word to be wholly destroyed. He moved upon men to search for truth as for hidden treasure. Psalm 119:105.

• John Wycliffe: Known as the morning star of the Reformation, he provided the first complete English translation of the Bible, so that the light of God’s Word could shed its beams across the darkness. Isaiah 58:10.

• Martin Luther: In Germany, Luther attacked the speculative philosophy of the schoolmen and the sale of indulgences, exalting the Bible as the only infallible authority. Jeremiah 23:29.

• Popes of the Period: The history of the Reformation is intertwined with the reigns of various popes. For instance, Leo X (A.D. 1513–1521) was the pope who issued the bull against Luther, a man whose lavish lifestyle and building projects for St. Peter’s led to the increased sale of indulgences. Sylvester (A.D. 314) earlier marked the transition when the church began to receive state favor, but the era of the Reformation saw the "deadly wound" predicted in prophecy beginning to be inflicted. Revelation 13:3.

The Persecutors and the Persecuted

The Reformation was not won by the sword, but by the "onward march of truth." However, the established church responded with "imprisonment, torture, and the stake." Psalm 9:11-12.

• The Witnesses: Groups like the Waldenses witnessed for God centuries before Luther, enduring "inhuman butchery" with a patience that honored their Redeemer. Revelation 1:9.

• The Principle of Coercion: The Roman power claimed the right to coerce the conscience, a principle that the Reformers eventually protested at the Diet of Spires, giving birth to the name "Protestant." Revelation 13:15.

• The Flight into the Wilderness: The church—symbolized by the woman—fled into the wilderness to escape the "flood" of persecution cast out by the dragon. Revelation 12:14-16.

The Timeline of Prophetic Periods

God has provided a clear "log" reckoning of history through prophetic periods, ensuring His people know their position in the world's history. 2 Peter 1:19.

1. The 120 Years: The warning before the flood. Genesis 6:3.

2. The 400 Years: The sojourn of Abraham’s seed. Genesis 15:13.

3. The 70 Years: The Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah 25:11.

4. The 2300 Days: The longest prophetic period, reaching to the cleansing of the sanctuary and the "time of the end." Daniel 8:14.

5. The 1260 Years: The period of papal supremacy (A.D. 538 to 1798), during which the witnesses prophesied in sackcloth. Revelation 11:3, Daniel 7:25.

The Emerging Remnant Church

As the prophecy comes to an end, there is to be a "perfect whole." The work started by the Reformers—restoring liberty of conscience and the Word of God—is to be completed by the remnant church. Isaiah 58:12.

• The Third Angel’s Message: This final warning calls the world back to the worship of the Creator and warns against the "mark of the beast." Revelation 14:9-12.

• Restoration of the Sabbath: A key feature of the Reformation today is the repair of the "breach" made in the law of God, specifically the restoration of the Seventh-day Sabbath. Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 58:13.

• The Testimony of Jesus: The remnant is identified by keeping the commandments and having the "testimony of Jesus Christ," which is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 12:17, Revelation 19:10.

Summary: The history of the Reformation is the history of God's grace recovering truth from the clutches of tradition and tyranny. From the early witnesses in the valleys of Piedmont to the great Reformers of Germany and England, and finally to the remnant church today, the path of the just "shines more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18. Though the dragon is wroth, the remnant church pleads for deliverance through Jesus their Advocate, standing firm on the unalterable precepts of the law of God. Revelation 14:12.