By John Thiel, Prophetic Sketches of the Remnant Church Seminar, Study 2, mp3

The history of the Old Testament is a prophetic sketch for our time.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The things written for the children of Israel were written for an ensample to us upon whom the ends of the earth have come. As the picture of the scene of the heavenly sanctuary was an enactment of obedience for the children of Israel in reference to the story of salvation, it was also a prophecy of the work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary. Everything that transpires in the lives of Gods people is a type of symbolism of what God is doing.

Heretofore many had brought their offerings to God, and had felt that in so doing they made ample atonement for their sins. They did not rely upon the Redeemer to come, of whom these offerings were only a type. The Lord would now teach them that their sacrifices, in themselves, had no more power or virtue than the serpent of brass, but were, like that, to lead their minds to Christ, the great sin offering. . . . {AG 315.2}

Even we are to be a type for others to read as to the prophetic impact of what the gospel is to do for people. As is in the days of Noah so shall it be in the coming of the son of man. Enoch is identified for us as being a prophetic personality for the experience of the 144,000 who are to be translated like he was. Abraham was given as the father of the faithful. He is a personality of prophetic import and so also Jacob as we understand so well. His experience in battling with the angel is a prophetic sketch of Gods people in the time of Jacobs’s trouble. Israel and their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a prophetic sketch of Gods people travelling to the eternal Canaan. The sons of Jacob were given as the twelve tribes from which the 144,000 were to be chosen and so on. The very first prophetic sketch of the Old Testament is identifying all those segments of experiences of Gods people.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The prediction given in Eden refers in a special manner to Christ, and to all who accept and confess Him as the only begotten Son of God. Christ has pledged Himself to engage in the conflict with the prince and power of darkness and bruise the serpent’s head, and all who are the sons of God are His chosen ones, His soldiers, to war against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. {9MR 108.2}

All those characters that we have briefly identified, are all part of that soldier team.

As the guilty pair listened to these words, they were inspired with hope; for in the prophecy concerning the breaking of Satan’s power they discerned a promise of deliverance from the ruin wrought through transgression. Though they must suffer from the power of their adversary because they had fallen under his seductive influence and had chosen to disobey the plain command of Jehovah, yet they need not yield to utter despair. The Son of God was offering to atone with His own lifeblood for their transgression. To them was to be granted a period of probation, during which, through faith in the power of Christ to save, they might become once more the children of God. {PK 681.3}

Haven’t you and I got memories of our falls? As we realise we made choices to disobey specific counsels of God’s Word, we could fall into terrible despair but we hear a promise in Genesis 3:15. Doesn’t that warm you’re heart? Although we are faced with the guilt of our own depravities we are given probation to deal with that. How? If we will believe in the precious work of our saviour we can actually be relieved from that terrible memory and condemnation. There is wonderful hope contained here in this prophetic sketch.

This hope of redemption through the advent of the Son of God as Saviour and King, has never become extinct in the hearts of men. From the beginning there have been some whose faith has reached out beyond the shadows of the present to the realities of the future. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob– through these and other worthies the Lord has preserved the precious revealings of His will. And it was thus that to the children of Israel, the chosen people through whom was to be given to the world the promised Messiah, God imparted a knowledge of the requirements of His law, and of the salvation to be accomplished through the atoning sacrifice of His beloved Son. {PK 682.2}

The history of these people is resplendent with salvation to be accomplished through the sacrifice of his beloved son.

The hope of Israel was embodied in the promise made at the time of the call of Abraham, and afterward repeated again and again to his posterity, “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 12:3. {PK 683.1}

There he is the prophetic figure for all. This was a prophecy. In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Abraham was a prophetic figure.

As the purpose of God for the redemption of the race was unfolded to Abraham, the Sun of Righteousness shone upon his heart, and his darkness was scattered. And when, at last, the Saviour Himself walked and talked among the sons of men, He bore witness to the Jews of the patriarch’s bright hope of deliverance through the coming of a Redeemer. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day,” Christ declared; “and he saw it, and was glad.” John 8:56. {PK 683.1}

With those words he wanted to really encourage these ecclesiastical authorities who were ready to kill him. This is our present purpose to take the Old Testament characters as integral parts of the broad sketch of Genesis 3:15. Adam and Eve launched out the existence of the woman’s seed. They produced Cain and Abel. Here we have the two paths of the woman’s seed, and the serpent’s seed right there in those two men.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Is he speaking to your heart and mind today? He was a faithful soul in the woman’s seed. What happened to him for being faithful? He was killed by his own brother. Is there a similarity all through history? What killed Abel? Who killed Abel? What did Able do? He gave to God a more excellent sacrifice. What did that create? If someone gives God a more excellent sacrifice than the other, what does that do? If we cherish envy, we are of the serpents seed.

Envy is one of the most despicable traits of Satanic character. It is constantly seeking the lifting up of self, by casting slurs upon others. A man who is envious will belittle his neighbor, thinking to exalt himself. The sound of praise is grateful to him who has approbativeness highly developed, and he hates to hear the praises of another. Oh, what untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our world! The same enmity existed in the heart of Saul that stirred the heart of Cain against his brother Abel, because Abel’s works were righteous, and God honored him, and his own works were evil, and the Lord could not bless him. {3BC 1159.6}

When you slur upon another, you are lifting up self. You like to feel approved? Self likes to feel it’s accepted. How do you feel when your brother is praised over you? What about me? Is that what you think?

Envy is the offspring of pride, and, if it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to cruel deeds, to hatred, revenge, and murder. The great controversy between Christ and the prince of darkness, is carried on in everyday, practical life (ST Aug. 17, 1888). {3BC 1159.7}

Someone who is cruelly treating another person is just in the first stages to the ultimate. Here is the conflict. It is to with pridey condition of lucifers and all who entertain that mentality.

Here we have a prophetic sketch again of these two men;

Cain and Abel represent two classes that will exist in the world till the close of time. One class avail themselves of the appointed sacrifice for sin; the other venture to depend upon their own merits; theirs is a sacrifice without the virtue of divine mediation, and thus it is not Abel to bring man into favor with God. It is only through the merits of Jesus that our transgressions can be pardoned. Those who feel no need of the blood of Christ, who feel that without divine grace they can by their own works secure the approval of God, are making the same mistake as did Cain. If they do not accept the cleansing blood, they are under condemnation. There is no other provision made whereby they can be released from the thralldom of sin. {PP 72.5}

If you are overwhelmed with the condition of your sinfulness you will not only be overwhelmed but crushed unless you reach outside of yourself to a wonderful flow of mercy to your sin sick soul. Cain didn’t like that idea. He didn’t like the sensation of having to surrender himself. He liked to hold the reigns. How many people do that?

When Cain, moved by the spirit of the wicked one, saw that he could not control Abel, he was so enraged that he destroyed his life. And wherever there are any who will stand in vindication of the righteousness of the law of God, the same spirit will be manifested against them. It is the spirit that through all the ages has set up the stake and kindled the burning pile for the disciples of Christ. But the cruelties heaped upon the follower of Jesus are instigated by Satan and his hosts because they cannot force him to submit to their control. It is the rage of a vanquished foe. Every martyr of Jesus has died a conqueror. Says the prophet, {PP 77.1}

Did you pick something up? Control. To stand up and to do the right, and to not be controlled by anyone, but Jesus Christ, this is the characteristic.

Enoch

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

He pleased God. He walked God. This is the character of Gods faithful people. How do you please him?

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Enoch’s walk with God was not in a trance or vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had a work to do for God in the world. In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of the Lord. {PP 85.1}

He did not shut himself up. Some say I have to stop working so I can spend time with God. He did not become a monk to shut himself away for the study of God’s word. He had a work to do for God. None of this fairy floss Christianity but hard down to earth rigour. This is how you please God by doing what he says.

Distressed by the increasing wickedness of the ungodly, and fearing that their infidelity might lessen his reverence for God, Enoch avoided constant association with them, and spent much time in solitude, giving himself to meditation and prayer. Thus he waited before the Lord, seeking a clearer knowledge of His will, that he might perform it. To him prayer was as the breath of the soul; he lived in the very atmosphere of heaven. {PP 85.4}

Is this a contradiction? What did he spend time going away for? For a period of time so he knew what he has to do and then he went back and did it. As he did this and as he followed Gods instruction and listened to him all the way through note;

But after the birth of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience; he was drawn into a closer relationship with God. He realized more fully his own obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he saw the child’s love for its father, it’s simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that first-born son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father. The infinite, unfathomable love of God through Christ became the subject of his meditations day and night; and with all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal that love to the people among whom he dwelt. {PP 84.3}

Enoch became a preacher of righteousness, making known to the people what God had revealed to him. Those who feared the Lord sought out this holy man, to share his instruction and his prayers. He labored publicly also, bearing God’s messages to all who would hear the words of warning. Jude 14, 15. {PP 86.1}

The power of God that wrought with His servant was felt by those who heard. Some gave heed to the warning, and renounced their sins; but the multitudes mocked at the solemn message, and went on more boldly in their evil ways. The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last days, and it will also be received with unbelief and mockery. The antediluvian world rejected the warning words of him who walked with God. So will the last generation make light of the warnings of the Lord’s messengers. {PP 86.3}

Have you heard them mock you? Your own brethren? They will make light of it. What are you doing this for? You’re being fanatical.

The Godly character of this prophet represents the state of holiness which must be attained by those who shall be “redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:3) at the time of Christ’s second advent. As Enoch was translated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water, so the living righteous will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire. {PP 88.3}

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

What do we learn from faithful Noah? Let us go back to Genesis 6.

Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Here is one of the faithful remnant.

Genesis 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

Why did Noah do this? He was the only one with his sons, daughter in law and wife who would be saved out of that destruction. The only one living.

Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

The generation just before the destruction will how many? That was the remnant church.

While Noah was giving his warning message to the world, his works testified of his sincerity. It was thus that his faith was perfected and made evident. He gave the world an example of believing just what God says. {PP 95.1}

He wasn’t just a religious freak, his works related to his faith. He just did what God said and we see his example.

All that he possessed, he invested in the ark. As he began to construct that immense boat on dry ground, multitudes came from every direction to see the strange sight and to hear the earnest, fervent words of the singular preacher. Every blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people. {PP 95.1}

The energy with which he went into it and the money he spent on an obscure human observation was queried by others – what is he doing? This is ridiculous.

The men of that generation were not all, in the fullest acceptation of the term, idolaters. This class were foremost in rejecting the preaching of Noah. PP 95.3}

It was not multitudes or majorities that were on the side of right. The world was arrayed against God’s justice and His laws, and Noah was regarded as a fanatic. Satan, when tempting Eve to disobey God, said to her, “Ye shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4. Great men, worldly, honored, and wise men, repeated the same. “The threatenings of God,” they said, “are for the purpose of intimidating, and will never be verified. You need not be alarmed. Such an event as the destruction of the world by the God who made it, and the punishment of the beings He has created, will never take place. Be at peace; fear not. Noah is a wild fanatic.” The world made merry at the folly of the deluded old man. Instead of humbling the heart before God, they continued their disobedience and wickedness, the same as though God had not spoken to them through His servant. {PP 96.1}

His experience was an experience of being opposed by the majority and those who claimed not to be idolaters.

Before the Flood God sent Noah to warn the world, that the people might be led to repentance, and thus escape the threatened destruction. As the time of Christ’s second appearing draws near, the Lord sends His servants with a warning to the world to prepare for that great event. Multitudes have been living in transgression of God’s law, and now He in mercy calls them to obey its sacred precepts. All who will put away their sins by repentance toward God and faith in Christ are offered pardon. But many feel that it requires too great a sacrifice to put away sin. Because their life does not harmonize with the pure principles of God’s moral government, they reject His warnings and deny the authority of His law. {PP 102.1}

What is behind this? It is because their own life does not harmonise by that which is represented by these remnant people. There is also the story of Shem and Japheth after the flood. They had a brother Ham. Noah was in his tent, he had been drinking too much grape juice and he was lying naked in his tent. Ham saw it and goes out and makes fun of it to his brothers. Shem and Japheth covered him. They were the remnant. This is the mentality of the remnant. Nakedness has nothing to do with Gods people. They cover each other up.

Abraham

Abraham comes after this amazing story of the flood as Shem was still there when Abraham lived and he heard Shems story. He was living in an experience which caused God had to say get out of there like we are hearing the message of Babylon – come out of them my people.

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

God gave a prophetic picture to Abraham:

After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his father’s household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they “served other Gods” than Jehovah. But the true faith was not to become extinct. God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God. “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18. He communicated His will to Abraham, and gave him a distinct knowledge of the requirements of His law and of the salvation that would be accomplished through Christ. {PP 125.1}

What did he grow up in? Superstition and heathenism. What was coming in? Just like today, other Gods. Here you can see the word remnant is directly connected under inspiration to us. Abraham is a prophetic sketch for us.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.

What a characteristic. I don’t know where I’m going but I’m just listening to God. You are to be of the remnant that is identified by Abraham. Abraham’s separating experience makes him the father of the faithful.

The message of God came to Abraham, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.” In order that God might qualify him for his great work as the keeper of the sacred oracles, Abraham must be separated from the associations of his early life. The influence of kindred and friends would interfere with the training which the Lord purposed to give His servant. Now that Abraham was, in a special sense, connected with heaven, he must dwell among strangers. His character must be peculiar, differing from all the world. He could not even explain his course of action so as to be understood by his friends. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and his motives and actions were not comprehended by his idolatrous kindred. {PP 126.1}

He had to leave his brothers. Are you going to be surprised if they try and reason you out of doing what God expects you to do? Leave the influence so God can train us in this probationary time to stand when he comes.

Romans 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all

Who was his son? Isaac. Who was the son of Isaac? Two. Jacob and Esau. Here is another one. The birthright. Jacob loved the word of God and he wanted it so much so Esau said you can have it, not important for me.

The promises made to Abraham and confirmed to his son were held by Isaac and Rebekah as the great object of their desires and hopes. With these promises Esau and Jacob were familiar. They were taught to regard the birthright as a matter of great importance, for it included not only an inheritance of worldly wealth but spiritual pre-eminence. He who received it was to be the priest of his family, and in the line of his posterity the Redeemer of the world would come. On the other hand, there were obligations resting upon the possessor of the birthright. He who should inherit its blessings must devote his life to the service of God. Like Abraham, he must be obedient to the divine requirements. In marriage, in his family relations, in public life, he must consult the will of God. {PP 177.3}

How many times have you heard the things of God’s word as a child and you were familiar with it. Have you ever felt, how much longer do I have to hear this? Don’t people sometimes hate that word requirements? Stop being so bossy to me. Why is this a requirement? God just wants me to do things which are pleasant to me. Yes he does. The remnant will stick out because they love Jesus. I will never forget as I was giving the study on the sufferings of Christ that the person who asked me to give the study said – can’t you give something more positive than that?

Isaac made known to his sons these privileges and conditions, and plainly stated that Esau, as the eldest, was the one entitled to the birthright. But Esau had no love for devotion, no inclination to a religious life. The requirements that accompanied the spiritual birthright were an unwelcome and even hateful restraint to him. {PP 178.1}

Do You Like Restraint?

Jacob had learned from his mother of the divine intimation that the birthright should fall to him, and he was filled with an unspeakable desire for the privileges which it would confer. It was not the possession of his father’s wealth that he craved; the spiritual birthright was the object of his longing. To commune with God as did righteous Abraham, to offer the sacrifice of atonement for his family, to be the progenitor of the chosen people and of the promised Messiah, and to inherit the immortal possessions embraced in the blessings of the covenant–here were the privileges and honors that kindled his most ardent desires. His mind was ever reaching forward to the future, and seeking to grasp its unseen blessings. {PP 178.2}

With secret longing he listened to all that his father told concerning the spiritual birthright; he carefully treasured what he had learned from his mother. Day and night the subject occupied his thoughts, until it became the absorbing interest of his life. But while he thus esteemed eternal above temporal blessings, Jacob had not an experimental knowledge of the God whom he revered. His heart had not been renewed by divine grace {PP 178.3}

We could go on reading the contrast between Jacob and Esau.

But God did not forsake Jacob. His mercy was still extended to His erring, distrustful servant. The Lord compassionately revealed just what Jacob needed–a Saviour. He had sinned, but his heart was filled with gratitude as he saw revealed a way by which he could be restored to the favor of God. {PP 183.3}

He had great desire to be the priest, a great desire night and day that occupied his mind but he had to go through the experiences.

Joseph and His Brothers

Joseph was a beautiful person. He made mistakes but no grave sins. Because he was so righteous, his brothers were angry. The brothers became the prophetic life sketches of the 144,000. They were purified of the results of selling their brother. As these twelve sons came to Egypt, there was a prophecy made.

Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.

God let the Amorites dwell in Canaan till their iniquity was full. When the Amorites time was full Israel would be brought into the land of Canaan and the time was fulfilled. Here is a prophetic sketch that led national Israel into prominence. Who went into Canaan? Caleb and Joshua.

Gideon

Gideon was a perfect example of the remnant. He chose to attack the Midianites. He had a big army and God said you have too many and God kept telling him too many. He was left with three hundred who were totally committed to God. In the end the enemy was slain.

Elijah

Elijah was one man. He thought he was the only one. God said I have 7000. Isaiah was sawn in half and Jeremiah was thrown into a pit. Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and there were these people who were becoming slack and Nehemiah had to reform them. He wasn’t even an ordained man!

Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Isaiah 10:20 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant shall return, [even] the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [yet] a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

Here we see all the history of Israel, the forefathers, the end of their nation was a remnant who although as the sand of the sea, only a remnant would be saved.

Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 

Who was the remnant when it came to the end of the experience of the Jews? A very small remnant.

Jeremiah 3:14 and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.

The children of Israel will be left with a remnant? Who were they? That expected Christ and who was ready? Anna, Simeon, John the Baptist? They were Israel.  Then came the disciples. They like Josephs brothers had to learn by affliction. In Ezekiel 34 there is a prophecy. The ministers of Israel were supposed to be the church militant doing its work.

Ezekiel 34:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 5 And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

They fed themselves on the sheep when Jesus saw them in the temple.

Ezekiel 34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 34:12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Who did he seek out? The disciples. As he sought them out he developed a flock that would be faithful and true. There were two houses of Israel. Samaria and Israel but there was also the remnant, the disciples. In the fulfillment of that reality Jesus said to the them you are of your father the devil. When they stoned Steven that was it, only a remnant.

Matthew 23:33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Who is Jesus speaking to? The church, the honourable church.

Matthew 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

The Old Testament church was removed and a New Testament period was commenced which we will cover in our next study.

Amen.

http://sabbathsermons.com/category/prophetic-sketches-of-the-remnant-church-series/