Just as there was “abomination that makes desolate” in the sanctuary in Israel, so there has been desolating abomination in the church that has corrupted the majority. And like in ancient Israel, God has preserved a remnant from the abomination and they will complete the mission.

Remnant, not whole church, completes mission

“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. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.” (Isaiah 10:20-23)

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.” (Isaiah 37:31-32)

“And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that delays not for man, nor waits for the sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treads down, and tears in pieces, and none can deliver.” (Micah 5:7-8)

Faithful followers have always been just a remnant

The people of God have always been a small number compared to the unfaithful in the church and especially to those in the world.

“The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” (1 Peter 3:20)

“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)

“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 1:9)

“Enter you in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in there: Because narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5)

“And the dragon was angry 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.” (Revelation 12:17)

The dragon was angry with the church, but warred only with the remnant.

Remnant is part of spiritual Israel

The remnant are a small part of professed Israel. Literally or symbolically, only 144,000 of the millions of Israel are sealed, preach the gospel, and bring in a great multitude.

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” (Revelation 7:4)

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

The 144,000 stand with Christ on Mount Zion in the New Earth in the future and spiritually on this Earth now.

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” (Revelation 14:1)

“But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.” (Hebrews 12:22)

144,000 are final remnant who live and teach three angels‘ messages

The four winds of the seven last plagues are kept in check until the 144,000 servants of God are ready.

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:1-3)

Just as writing to the invisible angels of the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 was the same as writing to the churches, so the angels give the final warnings to the world through the church—the faithful remnant of the church which is now 144,000.

“And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb where ever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. 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, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:3-12)

The remnant are given extra power by the fourth angel to get across the finish line. All nations are warned and invited. The gospel has been planted all over the world. God finally has a spiritual global garden in spite of it coming under constant attack.

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:1-4)

All those who accept the final invitation, along with the saints from all ages, will live in the earth made new. Bigger and better than the original Eden, the whole earth and the whole universe is one big, grand garden wherein dwells righteousness. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” (Revelation 21:1)