What is the remnant church? Does God have a true church? How do you pick a church to attend? There are a lot of denominations out there, so how do you cut through all the confusion? Does the Bible give characteristics of God’s true church? What should you look for in a church?
According to the Seventh-Day Adventists, the remnant church is described as, “The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness.” (Taken from the SDA 28 Fundamental Beliefs – full document can be obtained here)
If the Bible gives characteristics of God’s true church, then you should probably find the church or denomination that meets those characteristics. Here are some of the verses that list characteristics of God’s church. At the end of these verses we’ll post a couple videos that explain the remnant church in much more detail.
Revelation 12:17 – “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
So this verse clearly provides two characteristics of the remnant church; it would keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This remnant church will keep all 10 commandments, not just nine of them. Most of the Protestant churches worship on Sunday instead of the biblical day of worship which is the Sabbath or Saturday (see earlier post here). They are in violation of God’s fourth commandment.
This remnant church will also have the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is explained in Revelation 19:10 – “…for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This remnant church will have a prophet.
Revelation 14:6-12 – “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city…Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
The remnant church will teach and proclaim the Three Angel’s Message which includes spreading the gospel to the entire world, so the remnant church must be a world-wide church that preaches the gospel message.
The remnant church will believe in the soon advent of Jesus Christ, “…for the hour of his judgment is come…”
And again, the remnant church would persevere to the end through persecution and keep the commandments of God, “…the patience of the saints…they that keep the commandments of God…”
Here are a few videos that explain how to choose a church in more detail.