Transcript The End Time Remnant in Revelation Ekkehardt Mueller, Th.D., D.Min. The Remnant Concept in OT and NT ● Survivors ● Those who are subject to judgment ●

The End Time
Remnant
in Revelation
Ekkehardt Mueller, Th.D., D.Min.
The Remnant Concept in OT and NT
● Survivors
● Those who are subject to judgment
● A faithful remnant
Scholars have distinguished between:
● A historical remnant
● A faithful remnant
● An eschatological remnant
The Faithful Remnant in Revelation
In Revelation, for instance, the following individuals
and groups present a faithful remnant:
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John the apostle
The overcomers
The martyrs of Rev 6
The 144,000/the great multitude
Those whose names are in the book of life
The few (oliga onomata) in Rev 3:4
The loipos in Rev 2:24; 11:13; and 12:17
The Faithful Remnant in Revelation
In the Church of Thyatira (Rev 2:24) a kind of split
occured. While the church was found in an apostate
position, a group called the remnant was faithful to
God. Thus, Rev 2:24 provides a paradigm for the later
end time remnant.
The end time remnant occurs in Rev 12:17 under the
term loipos and is a faithful remnant. It is not limited
to Rev 12:17 but is found throughout the central
vision of Revelation, however under other terms.
The Central Vision: Battle with Evil Forces
Temple Scene (11:19)
The ark of the covenant
Basic Prophetic Description
(12:1-13:18)
The woman, the dragon, the
beast out of the sea, and the
beast out of the earth
Spotlight on Last Events
(14:1-13)
The 144,000 and the three
angels’ messages
Glorious Climax (14:14-20)
The harvest of the world
The Central Vision:
Battle with Evil Forces
This vision has to be interpreted historically, i.e.,
reaching through the centuries from the birth of the
Messiah and his ascension to God in the first century
A.D. to the second coming of Jesus at the end of time.
A preteristic as well as a futuristic approach do not fit
the passage. An idealistic interpretation falls short of
the dynamics of the texts and disregard the time
element.
The Ark in the Temple Scene
The ark of the covenant is connected to a number of
important issues which are also found in Revelation’s
central vision.
●
Salvation: It was covered with the mercy seat
(Exod 25:21; cf. gospel and faith Rev 12:11;
13:10; 14:6,12)
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The Law: It contained the Decalogue (Deut 10:1-2; cf.
observance and rejection in Rev 12:17; 14:12;
12:4,15; 13:4,6,8,14,15; 14:11)
●
Judgment and Worship: The Day of Atonement and
the presence of God is alluded to (Lev 16; cf. true
and false worship in Rev 14:7; 13:4,8,12,15;
14:11)
Dragon, Woman, and Remnant in Rev 12
A
The woman, the son, and the dragon (12:1-6)
B
A'
Michael and the dragon (12:7-12)
The woman, the remnant, and the dragon
(12:13-17)
Sea Beast and Saints in Rev 13a
1. Description of the beast and the reaction of humanity
a. Description of the beast including the deadly wound and
its healing
b. Reaction of humanity: Worship
1-4
2. Actions of the beast and reaction of humanity
a. Actions of the beast including authority for 42 months and
war against the saints
b. Reaction of humanity: Worship
5-8
5-7
1-3a
3b-4
8
3. The threefold “If anyone. . .” and the the saints: “Here is. . .” 9-10
Connection between Rev 12:17 and
Rev 13a
Rev 12
The dragon went
to make war against the remnant (12:17)
Rev 13
It was given to him [the sea beast]
to make war against the saints (13:7)
Land Beast and Non-Worshippers of
Rev 13b
1. Description of the beast
11
2. Actions of the beast including pressure to
worship
12-17
3. Those who understand: “Here is...”
18
The dragon, the sea beast, and the land beast form
the satanic trinity, also called Babylon, that is
opposed to the remnant.
The Spotlight on Last Events in Rev 14a
1.
The 144,000 and their Characteristics
(14:1-5)
2.
The Three Angels’ Messages of the
144,000 (14:6-13)
The Climax in Rev 14b
1.
The One Like a Son of Man (14:14)
2.
The Wheat Harvest (14:15-16)
3.
The Grape Harvest (14:17-20)
The Time Frame
Time elements in the vision of the satanic trinity are:
•
•
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Rev 12:6
Rev 12:14
Rev 13:5
-
1260 days
3 1/2 times
42 months
This is the same time span counted differently.
The Time Frame
This time span is found seven times in the Bible:
(1) Dan 7:25
(2) Dan 12:7
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(3) Rev 11:2
(4) Rev 11:3
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(5) Rev 12:6
(6) Rev 12:14
(7) Rev 13:5
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3 1/2 times: Persecution of the saints
3 1/2 times: Dispersion of the holy
people
42 months: Trampling of the holy city
1260 days: The witnesses clothed in
sackcloth
1260 days: The women in the desert
3 1/2 times: The woman in the desert
42 months: Actions of the sea beast
directed against God
The context requires to understand this prophetic period according to
the year-day principle. A day stands for a year.
The Time Frame
1. The time frame of Rev 12
(1) 12:1-5
Early conflict between dragon
and woman
(2)12:6
- Medieval conflict between
dragon and woman
(3) 12:7-12
Conflict between Michael and
the dragon in heaven
(4)12:13-16 - Medieval conflict between
dragon and woman (cont.)
(5) 12:17
End time conflict between dragon
and remnant, the woman‘s seed
The Time Frame
2. The time frame of Rev 13a
Rev 13a mentions the same time element that has already
appeared in Rev 12. It is the 42 months that lasted till
1798 A.D. Since it appears that Rev 13:1-4 is parallel to
Rev 13:5-9, we have to place the healing of the fatal
wound after the 42 months.
3. The time frame of Rev 13b
Rev 13:12,14 refers back to the healing of the fatal wound of
the sea beast and considers it as having happened in the
past.
The Time Frame
4. The time frame of Rev 14
Whereas Rev 14:1-5 points to final salvation, Rev 14:6-12
relates a message that will be proclaimed shortly
before the second coming of Jesus described
symbolically at the end of chapter 14.
Message and Counter Message
A. Propaganda of the beast out of the earth (13:11-15)
B. Followers of the beast out of the sea (13:16-18)
B'. Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5)
A'. God’s last message (14:6-12)
Summary
The dragon makes war against the remnant.
He does this by using the sea beast and the
beast from the earth.
Major Symbols of Rev 12

The Woman
The woman is a symbol of God’s true church. In the OT
and NT God’s people is compared to a woman--Isa
54:5-6; Eph 5:25-32. As soon as God’s people
separates from the Lord it becomes a harlot--Jer 3:20;
Eze 23:2-4. In Revelation the faithful church (Rev 12) is
contrasted with the harlot Babylon (Rev 17).
Major Symbols of Rev 12

The Dragon
In Rev 12:9 the dragon is also called the old serpent and
is identified as Satan/Devil. This is the symbol most
clearly revealed. He is the first part of the satanic
trinity found in Rev 12-14 .
Major Symbols of Rev 12

The Male Child
This son of the woman is Jesus Christ. Ruling with a
rod of iron is taken from Ps 2, a messianic psalm. This
expression is used in Rev 19:15, and there it is applied
to Jesus. That the child is caught up to God and his
throne points toward the ascension of Jesus and his
inauguration at the right hand of God.
Major Symbols of Rev 12

The Remnant
Toward the end of Rev 12 and parallel to the birth of the
male child, the woman brings forth a remnant, which is
also pursued by the dragon. The remnant of Rev 12:17
is “the remnant of her seed.” Rev 12 reminds us of
Gen 3:14-15. In both passages a woman, a serpent,
seeds/descendants, and enmity between these parties
is emphasized. Rev 12 refers to the fulfillment of the
divine promise of Gen 3:15 that the woman’s seed
would bruise the serpent’s head.
The remnant is a faithful remnant and the last remnant in
history. It stands in a special relationship to Jesus.
Major Symbols of Rev 13
•
The Sea Beast
The sea beast is modeled after the beasts of Dan 7.
The reversed order of beasts in Rev 13 indicates
that the sea beast of Rev 13 is identical with the
fourth beast of Dan 7, although it may include
elements of the other beasts.
Major Symbols of Rev 13
The Sea Beast (cont.)
Blasphemy, war against the saints, and the time span
of 42 months (Rev 13:5-7) remind of the little horn
power in Dan 7:20-21,25. There is a problem with the
law in Dan 7:25, and there is a problem with the law in
Rev 12-14, because the remnant are singled out as the
ones who keep the law of God.
Major Symbols of Rev 13
The Sea Beast (cont.)
The time frame in Dan 7, the connection to the fourth
beast, as well as the little horn’s character and
activities point to the power of apostate Christianity
during the medieval ages and afterwards. The sea
beast of Rev 13 represents the very same power.
Major Symbols of Rev 13
The Sea Beast
Within the Apocalypse the sea beast is understood as an
imitation, parody, and counterfeit of the Lamb:
(1) The Lamb was slaughtered
(5:6,9,12).
(2) Jesus has come to life
(2:8; 1:18).
(3) Jesus sits with his Father
on his throne (2:28; 3:21).
(4) Jesus has authority (12:10).
- One of the heads of the sea
beast was slaughtered (13:3).
- The sea beast has come to life
(13:14).
- The dragon gave the sea beast his
throne (13:2).
- The dragon gave his authority to
the sea beast (13:4).
(5) Worship is addressed to the - Worship is addressed to the sea
Lamb and God (5:13-14).
beast and the dragon (13:4).
Major Symbols of Rev 13
•
The Beast from the Earth
The beast from the earth starts out as a positive
entity. Its coming from the earth points to the fact
that it is a creation of God. It also resembles a
lamb which is the symbol for Jesus in the
Apocalypse. However, It develops a dragon like
attitude and is an agent of the dragon
collaborating with the first beast. It is called “false
prophet” in the rest of Revelation (16:13; 19:20;
20:10).
Major Symbols of Rev 13
The Beast from the Earth (cont.)
It becomes active after the deadly wound of the first
beast has begun to heal. As false prophet its major
goal is to deceive humanity. For the end time
Revelation predicts two antichrist figures. The two
beasts of Rev 13 represent a false Christ and a false
prophet, who claims to be the last spokesman of God.
Major Symbols of Rev 13
The Beast from the Earth (cont.)
The time frame of the vision, the description of the
second beast as well as the change from a positive to
a negative power suggest that the false prophet
stands for the major political power of our days which
exerts and will even more so exert a religious or quasi
religious influence. The enforcement of universal
worship of the first beast and its image alludes to Dan
3 and from our present perspective is still future.
Major Symbols of Rev 13
The Beast from the Earth and Fire from Heaven
This symbolic fire connected to the false prophet may
be a false Pentecost experience.
It may also remind us of the Carmel experience of
Elijah. However, this time fire comes down on the false
altar, that is, not on the side of God‘s people. Therefore,
this experience is extremely deceptive. God‘s people
have to rely on his Word indepent of feelings and
evidence which seems to support apostate religion.
Interchangeable Terms
The remnant (Rev 12)
The saints (Rev 13a)
Those who did not accept the
mark of the beast (Rev 13b)
The 144.000 (Rev 14)
This seems
to be the
same group
Outline of Rev 13 and 14a
I.
II.
III.
The sea beast (13:1-10)
1.
“I saw…”
2.
3.
Description of the beast and its activity
“Here is patience and faith…”
The beast out of the earth (13:11-18)
1.
“I saw…”
2.
3.
Description of the beast and its activity
“Here is wisdom…”
The 144,000 and the three angels message (14:1-12)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
“I saw…”
Description of the 144,000
“I saw…”
Three angels messages
“Here is patience… faith…”
Characteristics of the Remnant
In Revelation 12-14 three texts are interwoven and
describe the main characteristics of the remnant:
Rev 12:17
Keep commandments
Testimony of Jesus
Rev 13:10
Rev 14:12
Keep commandments
Patience
Faith
Patience
Faith of Jesus
Characteristics of the Remnant
1.
Keeping the commandments (12:17; 14:12)
2.
Having the Testimony of Jesus (12:17)
3.
Faith (13:10; 14:12)
4.
Patience (13:10; 14:12)
Characteristics of the Remnant
1. Keeping the commandments (12:17; 14:12)
By keeping God’s commandments the remnant
demonstrate their love and loyalty. The most
prominent of the commandments, next to the
commandments to love God and neighbor, are the Ten
Commandments. The ark of the covenant pointed
indirectly to them (11:19).
The observance of the commandments of God
includes keeping the biblical Sabbath. The language
of the Sabbath commandment is found in Rev 14:7.
Characteristics of the Remnant
2. Having the Testimony of Jesus (12:17)
The remnant have the testimony of Jesus. According
to 19:10 this is the “spirit of prophecy,” the Holy Spirit
that speaks through the gift of prophecy. In the
parallel text Rev 22:9 the word “prophets” replaces
the phrase “testimony of Jesus.” The remnant lift up
God’s Word including the Book of Revelation which
comes from Jesus and in which Jesus testifies about
Himself. They treasure all genuine manifestations of
the gift of prophecy (1Cor 12:7-11; Eph 4:11).
Characteristics of the Remnant
3. Faith (13:10; 14:12)
Rev 13:10 talks about the faith of the saints. In Rev 14:12
the remnant are identified by faith in or of Jesus. Some
interpreters understand this phrase as saying that the
saints have faith in Jesus and rely on him. Others
translate the phrase as “the faith of Jesus” and suggest
it to reflect Christian doctrine as it is contained in the
NT. In any case, the remnant hold on to Jesus’ saving
power which justifies freely and to his doctrine. Faith
and keeping the commandments may point to saving
faith and works of love that result from it.
Characteristics of the Remnant
4. Patience/Perseverance (13:10; 14:12)
In difficult times, when being harassed and threatened
to be killed for not worshiping the beast and his
image, the remnant do not give up, do not let go their
relationship with God, and do not lose their hope in
Jesus’ soon return, but overcome evil. The term’s
vertical aspect is faithfulness to God, and its
horizontal aspect is patient endurance of evil.
Characteristics of the Remnant
Rev 14a furnishes some additional information about the remnant:
(1) Property of God and Jesus (14:1,3-4)
(2) No false worship (14:4)
(3) Followers of the Lamb (14:4)
(4) Truthfulness and blamelessness like sacrificial animals (14:5)
(5) Worldwide proclamation of the three angels’ messages (14b)
This includes:
(a) Proclamation of the eternal gospel (14:6)
(b) Call to worship God by fearing and honoring him (14:7)
(c) Announcement of judgment (14:7)
(d) Worship of the Creator (14:7,9-11)
(e) Appeal to separate from Babylon (14:8)
Following the Lamb
Following the Lamb implies imitating Jesus‘ example.
1. Jesus was the man of the Spirit (Matt 3:16-17).
2. Jesus was the man of prayer (Luke 9:28).
3. Jesus was the man of God‘s Word. He knew it,
followed its teaching, used it against temptations, and
employed it in his preaching (Matt 21:42; 4:4-10).
4. Jesus was a gentle person, merciful, pure in heart,
and a peacemaker (Matt 5:38-45). He loved even his
enemies, healed them, and prayed for them (Luke
23:34; 22:50-51). He advocated non-violence (Matt
26:52).
Following the Lamb
Following the Lamb implies imitating Jesus‘ example.
5. Jesus lived for others and served others. He was
unselfish, without prejudice, national and racial pride.
He broke down the barriers between people, proclaimed
the gospel, and healed humans (Acts 10:38).
6. Jesus did not strive for high positions but was the most
humble person on earth (Phil 2:5-8).
7. Jesus wanted his followers to be one, united, to love
each other, and—if necessary—to lay down their lives
for brothers and sisters (John 17:20-21; 13:3.4; 1John
3:1-16).
Who is the Remnant?
One final question is whether the remnant are scattered
believers only that cannot be identified or if it is primarily an
identifiable group. The following points support the second
option:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
The time sequence and the succession of the woman
of Rev 12
The characteristics
The contrast to Babylon and the call to separate from
Babylon
The gift of prophecy
The worldwide commission
Jesus’ Remnant
Always God’s church is his church only because of
God’s grace. At the same time the church
acknowledges that it is called to live up to the ideal
presented in Scripture exhibiting the characteristics of
the remnant as well as to invite people from all nations,
tribes, languages, and peoples to join God’s remnant.
This does not mean that each member of the end time
remnant is saved, neither does it deny that God has
faithful children in various denominations and religions,
which he wants to lead to true worship and joyful
preparation for Jesus’ second coming. To these
believers the call of Rev 18:4 is issued to leave end time
Babylon.
Jesus’ Remnant
On the other hand, each individual believer is
challenged to live in closest harmony with God and to
portray the characteristics of the remnant, just as the
church is called to live up to its vocation and
commission.
Jesus and His Remnant