"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries     |   home   |   Churches of Revelation
Overview of Churches   |   Ephesus   |   Smyrna   |   Pergamos   |   Thyatira   |   Sardis   |   Philadelphia   |   Laodicea   |   Last Church

THE  LAST  CHURCH  --  The  Remnant

     “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....Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 12:17, 14:12.


J.N. Andrews, History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, p 508
     They teach that the gifts of the Spirit set forth in 1Cor.12 and Eph.4, were designed to remain in the church till the end of time.  They believe that these were lost in consequence of the same apostasy that changed the Sabbath.  They also believe that in the final restoration of the commandments by the work of the third angel, the gifts of the Spirit of God are restored with them.  So the remnant of the church, or last generation of its members, is said to "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."1  And the angel of God explains this by saying, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."2  The spirit of prophecy therefore has a distant place assigned to it in the final work of Sabbath reform.  Such are their views of this portion of Scripture; and their history from the beginning has been marked by the influence of this sacred gift.

-----------------------------
1 Rev.12:17; 14:12.   
2 Rev.19:10.


J.N. Andrews, Samuel and the Witch of Endor, p 4-5.
     The prophecy of Isa. 8:17-22, in which the waiting position of the church is designated, has reference, therefore, to that period immediately preceding the advent of the Saviour.  He has proved a stone of stumbling to worldly professors, whether his first or second advent be considered.  And it is from this class that he hides his face.
     Another clue to the time of the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in the work which it assigns the church:  "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples."  Verse 16.  We know that the man of sin was to oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, and to thing to change times and laws.  Dan. 7:25; 2 Thess. 2.  And we know that the law of God and the precepts of Christ have been wickedly mangled by the great antichristian power.  We know also that it is the work of the third angel of Rev. 14, in the period of the saints' patience, to raise up a people that shall keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.  And we know also that the remnant of the church in the end of this dispensation is to be warred upon by the dragon because they keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Rev. 12:17.  This work of binding up the testimony and sealing the law among the disciples of Christ is the very work of the third angel.  This law and testimony thus restored to the people of God is that to which they are to appeal in their final conflict with the familiar spirits.  "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."  Verse 20.


Alonso T. Jones, Great Nations of Today, p 165-166
     And this power which is here called "the Image of the Beast," speaking as a dragon, and using all the power of the first beast, is, in its turn and place, used by Satan, "the great dragon," still in persecuting the Church; as it is written: "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." Rev. 12:17.  
     And this brings us definitely to the Third Angel's Message; because the Image of the Beast compels all to worship the Beast, and to receive his mark. And the Third Angel's Message warns all against worshiping the Beast and his Image, and against receiving his mark. Satan uses these powers in his wrath against the remnant of the Church, which particularly stirs his wrath by her keeping the commandments of God, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ. And the Third Angel's Message, in saving men from the worship of the Beast and his Image, calls them all to the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This is all done in the time of the remnant of the Church, which is the last of the Church. And the Third Angel's Message closes with the coming of the Lord, and the victory over the Beast and his Image by those who have received the Third Angel's Message.  
     Now, from the description given in the Word, anyone can see that the Beast is the Papacy; and, in the nature of things, the Image of the Beast, is the Image of the Papacy. What, then, in a word, is the Papacy? -- It is a union of the Church and the State, with the Church supreme, and using the power of the State for her despotic and persecuting purposes. And the Beast was formed by the union of the fallen Church with the mighty world-power of Rome. In the nature of things, therefore, the Image of the Beast must be another great and notable instance of the fallen Church uniting with a mighty world-power, and using that power of the State, in the likeness of the Papacy.  


Review and Herald, vol 1, March, 1851, #7, p 52
     Once more read the fourteenth chapter of Revelation, and mark well the messages of the first, second, and third Angels.  Notice with care the message of the third, which introduced the "commandments of God," which are the ten commandments, and nothing more nor less.  Compare this with Chap.xii,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," &c.  A remnant is a small part, and the last end. - Therefore, the remnant of the seed of the woman must be that "little flock," the last end of the church, at the coming of Christ, to whom it is the "Father's good pleasure" to give the "kingdom."  The dragon is wroth, because they keep the "commandments of God."  You can keep and teach nine of God's immutable laws throughout the length and breadth of the dragon's dominion, yet his wrath will not be kindled, if you leave out the fourth, the one that embraces the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.  No one will oppose you in teaching and observing nine of the commandments of God; for they are universally admitted to be binding, and are professedly observed by the churches.  But just teach and "do" the fourth commandment, and the dragon's ire is at once stirred against you.  Then, we say, that the reason why the dragon was to be wroth with the "remnant," the "little flock" who are waiting for Jesus, is because they were to keep the Sabbath, as well as the other nine commandments of God.
     Those who oppose the observance of ALL of the commandments, and call the law of God "a yoke of bondage," a "miserable rickety old law," &c., and give the idea that those who keep it are fallen from grace, and are in the road to perdition, will meet all this again in the Judgment.  Hear what the "Alpha and Omega" says of those who "keep the commandments of God."  "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."  This testimony is worth more to us, than that of all those who hate the Sabbath of the Lord.


Advent Review, vol 1, April 7, 1851, #8, p 63-64
     We see in the "Harbinger" for March 15, the remarks of C., under the head, "To correspondents," which we cannot let pass without noticing.  He says -
     "F. W.  We suppose `the commandments of God,' Rev.xiv,12, are all the precepts that God has given to govern men's conduct, not the ten commandments."
     A mere "suppose," without bible evidence, is like sliding "sand," while God's word is solid "rock."  If the ten commandments are not God's, as C. supposes, then whose are they?  If it is said that they are done away and do not exist, then we ask, where is god's law for idolatry, swearing, killing, stealing and adultery?  If these commandments are "done away" then they do not exist, unless it can be shown that the Great Law-giver has given them a second time, which cannot be proved, and there is, therefore, no law for such sins.  Is it asserted that nine of the commandments were re-enacted at the cross?  We ask for proof.  If it could be so, no one could re-enact them but Jehovah, the Great Law-giver.  In that case they would certainly be the commandments of God.  But how preposterous to charge God with such folly as to abolish, do away, destroy, his ten commandments at the cross, and at the same moment re-enact nine of them! - all this to get rid of his Sabbath that he "blessed," "sanctified" and "hallowed," and calls "my holy day," &c.!
     But there is a grand difficulty in the way of this supposition.  It is this.  The class spoken of, [Rev.xiv,12,] not only keep the commandments of God, [the Father,] but the faith of Jesus, [the Son.]  The same people, [Rev.xii,17,] are called the "remnant," which must be the last end of the church, who are waiting for Jesus.  They "keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Now if all the precepts taught by Jesus and his apostles are included in `the commandments of God,' then what is the "testimony" or "faith of Jesus?"  Will some one tell us?  The True Witness has made a distinction between the commandments of God, [ten commandments,] and the "testimony of Jesus Christ," [testimony of Christ and the apostles,] so clear that every effort to confound them will fail, and be the means of spreading the true light on this glorious subject.  Mark this: The "remnant" not only obey every precept peculiar to the gospel, found in the testimony of Jesus Christ, but they keep the commandments of God, Amen.  C. says -
     "Jesus resolved those ten into two - first, `Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,' &c.; second, `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'"
     Did Jesus show that any change had taken place in the ten commandments, or that a change was to take place in them?  We answer, He did not.  Those who argue a change in the ten commandments, say that it was affected at the crucifixion.  Let this be distinctly understood. -  Said the lawyer, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?"  Jesus quoted to him the first great law of love to God, and added, "This is [not will be after the commandments are changed at my crucifixion,] the first and great commandment."  Then it had been the first, ever since man needed to be governed by the great law of supreme love to God.  This great law of love was, and is the foundation of the four precepts, written on the first table of stone.  After quoting the second great commandment, which is the foundation of the precepts on the second table, Jesus said, "On these two commandments hang [not will hang after the crucifixion,] all the law and the prophets."  Let this point be carefully studied, and it will be clearly seen that Jesus shewed the lawyer the two great principles which were then, ever had been, and ever will be, the foundation of the ten commandments.  On these two great commandments then hung, always hung, and ever will hang, that law, one jot or tittle of which was not to pass, till heaven and earth pass away.


Review and Herald, vol 1, June 2, 1851, #12, p 90
     "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."  Rev.xiv,12.
     "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."  Rev.xii,17.
     Here are some things in these texts of peculiar interest to us.  First, it is the remnant of the seed of the woman, with whom the dragon makes war.  A remnant is a small part, and the last end.  The remnant of the seed of the woman, therefore, must be the last portion of the church, the "little flock," who are waiting for Jesus to come the second time.  In their patient waiting time, they keep the commandments of God.


Review and Herald, vol 2, March 2, 1852, #13, p 98
     The dragon is a power that sought the death of the child Jesus, persecuted the church of Christ, continued his warfare and persecutions against the church while in the wilderness, and overcame them by putting them to death.  And his last acts are to make war with the remnant of the church which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Rev.xii,4,11-17.


Review and Herald, vol 3, May 27, 1852, #2, p 14
     But trials and afflictions are the lot of the people of God, and those that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  The finger of scorn will be pointed at all those who believe and practice the truths of God's Holy Word, instead of the commandments of men.  It is painful to think of the deep-rooted prejudice there is against the Sabbath of the Bible. - The greater part of those who profess to be Christians have rejected the commandments of God that they may keep their own traditions.  Yet when the Son of man cometh he will find faith on the earth.  He will find a remnant of the house of Israel, the true church of Christ, who will be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; who will be walking in all the laws and ordinances of the house of God blameless.


Review and Herald, vol 3, July 22, 1852, #6, p 45
     The book of Revelation speaks on the commandments of God.  At the very end of time John saw the dragon and the last fragment of the church contending.  Listen: "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."  What is the feature by which the remnant are distinguished?  The keeping of the commandments of God!  What was done to them?  The dragon made war with them, for he was wroth.  Will the powers of this earth make war on the remnant for not worshiping other gods, not bowing down to idols, not blaspheming?  No, they recognize them as right thus far.  Will they be offended with those who do not dishonor their parents, or murder, or commit adultery, steal, or bear false witness, or covet?  No, they imprison those who do thus.  But these are only nine of the commandments of God.  The fourth commandment is the precept that brings out the ire of the dragon. - When the remnant take hold of this precept, which the dragon has with such care been laboring to change, the wrath of worldlings, Catholics, Protestants, and even of Adventists, is roused to crush them, and to check the work, "that it proceed no further!"  What is the trouble?  O, they are keeping the commandments as God gave them, and they condemn us! - Will the enemies of God succeed in destroying the remnant?  No!
     "The remnant in these latter days
     Will triumph sure; give God the praise!
     They, of the beast refuse the mark,
     They keep God's law - they have the Ark."
     The wrath of the dragon, already beginning to be stirred, will doubtless increase until that "time of trouble such as never was."  And some perhaps with whom the remnant have taken sweet counsel, will be left to think that in killing them they are doing God's service.
     But John sees them again.  "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."  But when is it that John sees the commandment-keepers this time?  In the patience of the saints, (waiting with hope long-deferred,) and under the message of the Third Angel.  Then those who live in the period referred to, will have much to say about the commandments of God.  And those who oppose will doubtless attempt to prove that they are abolished, or that they have been superseded by the testimony of Jesus Christ.  But the saints of God, not heeding this folly, will keep both.  But does not John see them again?  Yes.  He sees the commandment-keepers enter the holy city, while those who love and make a lie, are left without.  Christ had said, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments;" John sees such enter into it!
     This is direct testimony that the commandments of God are not abolished.  It is direct testimony that they have not been superseded by the testimony of Jesus Christ.


Review and Herald, vol 5, February 28, 1854, #6, p 44
     "HERE is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."  Rev.xiv,12.
     "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."  Chap.xii,17.
     The chronological application of these texts is not hard to be understood.  The first is a part of the saying of the third angel, which is the last message offering mercy, given just before the Son of man takes his place on the "white cloud" with a "sharp sickle" to reap the harvest of the earth.  The other text applies to the "remnant."  A remnant, literally, is a small portion, and the last end.  The "remnant which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ," is, therefore, Christ's "little flock," the last end of the church, who shall witness the coming of the Son of man in all his glory.  Both texts apply to the same period of time.


Review and Herald, vol 5, May 16, 1854, #17, p 130
     There is a class of professed Christians, that have come to the conclusion, that none of the ten commandments are binding, only those quoted to the young man by our Saviour.  If this position is true, have we not a right to hasten after other gods; to make graven images, and serve them; take the name of God in vain; and trample under foot God's holy day of rest?  But says one, You are taking too much liberty, all the commandments are binding but the Sabbath.  But stop Sabbath-breaker, stop, and think.  If God's Word gives you the privilege of blotting out the fourth commandment, because Christ did not quote it to the young man; it gives me liberty to strike out the three preceding ones.  There is but one reasonable conclusion to which we can come from this scripture; and that is all the commandments are still in force.  James ii,10.  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  Five of the ten commandments are quoted in the next verse, by which we may know what law is referred to.  Matt.xxiv,20.  But pray ye that your flight be not in the Winter, neither on the Sabbath-day.  Here Jesus is speaking of the flight of his children from Jerusalem, when its desolation was near; and as Jerusalem was not destroyed until A.D. 70, the argument is conclusive, that the Sabbath stood fast up to that time.  Luke xxiii,54-56.  And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.  Query.  How could the Sabbath be drawing on, if it had been previously nailed to the cross?  And the women also which came with him from Galilee, followed after and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.  And they returned and prepared spices, and ointments, and rested the Sabbath-day according to the commandment.  Acts xiii,42,44.  And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.  And the next Sabbath-day came almost the whole city together, to hear the word of God.  Acts xvi,13.  And on the Sabbath we went out of the city, by the river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down and spake unto the women which resorted thither.  Acts xvii,2.  And Paul as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath-days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.  Rev.xii.  In this chapter, we have a connected chain of events, extending from the birth of Christ, down to the present time.  We learn from the 6th and 14th verses, that the woman, (Church) fled into the wilderness, and also the time she remained there.  From the 15th verse, we see the serpent designed to overthrow the Church by persecution.  16th verse.  And the earth helped the woman, (Church) and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  The prophetic events connected with the 16th verse, had their fulfillment in 1798 when the papacy lost its civil power.  This was accomplished by Napoleon Bonaparte.  Here the 1260 days of oppression and cruel bondage to the church ended.  From this period of time, the Church has been favored with great light, until tested by the first angel's message.  Rev.xiv,8.  This message not being heeded by the professed churches, their light is turned into darkness; and the way for the second angel's message is prepared.  This proclamation having been given, the third angel takes his stand.  Under the cry of the third angel, a remnant is gathered from the confused masses, that are floating upon the bosom of the mighty deep; and are brought together and united in the faith of Jesus, and the commandments of God, as we read in Rev.xiv,12.  The 17th verse of the 12th chapter, is a parallel.  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.  According to the chronological order of the events brought to view in this chapter, the remnant is to be found this side of 1798.  The period for commandment-keepers is more definitely fixed by the third angel's message.  Rev.xiv,9-12.  This brings us this side of 1844.  If any man would know the glorious result of keeping the commandments of God, please read Rev.xxii,14.  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City.  From the next verse learn the consequences of breaking God's commandments.  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter.  Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.


Review and Herald, vol 5, May 23, 1854, # 18, p 141
     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.  Rev.xii,17.  No wonder that the dragon is wroth when he sees a little remnant in these last days striving to obey God by keeping all his commandments, together with the faith of Jesus.  Ah! well does he know that his time is short: this Arch-deceiver has almost run the length of his chain, and what he does to deceive and blind the eyes of the professed church of Christ, and seal the doom of careless and indifferent souls, must be done soon.  Oh unhappy church and world!  Do you not know that the last page of inspiration is now being fulfilled?  Satan is carrying on his last great deception, before the Son of man shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven.  The last solemn message is now being proclaimed, and will increase until it sounds with trumpet voice.  See Rev.xiv,9-13.


Review and Herald, vol 6, September 12, 1854, #5 , p 36
     God rested on the seventh day, then sanctified and blessed the day in which he had rested, and thus "made the Sabbath for man."  The fourth commandment guards and enforces the day of Jehovah's rest, and points us back to creation for the reason of the existence of the institution.  Christ intimates no change in this precept of the law of God, but says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law," and affirms that, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass" from it.  The apostles intimated no change of the Sabbath, but observed it, [Acts xiii,42-44; xvi,13; xviii,4,11; xxviii,17,30,31,] and taught the law and commandments of God.  So far as the Bible speaks of a weekly Sabbath, it knows none but the seventh day.  But we find a very large majority of the professed Christian world observing the first day of the week instead of the Sabbath of the Bible.  Where is their authority for so doing?  It is not in the Bible.  Where then shall we look for it?  It can be found only in the history of the "beast" - Papacy.  Then as those who keep God's commandments, (and no man can do this and break the Sabbath of the fourth,) are the worshipers of God, are not those who observe the institutions of the beast, (one of which is the observance of First-day in the place of the Sabbath of the Lord our God,) the worshipers of the beast?
     As fundamental errors, we might class with this counterfeit sabbath other errors which Protestants have brought away from the Catholic church, such as sprinkling for baptism, the trinity, the consciousness of the dead and eternal life in misery.  The mass who have held these fundamental errors, have doubtless done it ignorantly; but can it be supposed that the church of Christ will carry along with her these errors till the judgment scenes burst upon the world?  We think not.  "Here are they [in the period of a message given just before the Son of man takes his place upon the white cloud, Rev.xiv,14] that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."  This class, who live just prior to the second advent, will not be keeping the traditions of men, neither will they be holding fundamental errors relative to the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.  And as the true light shines out upon these subjects, and is rejected by the mass, then condemnation will come upon them.  When the true Sabbath is set before men, and the claims of the fourth commandment are urged upon them, and they reject this holy institution of the God of heaven, and choose in its place an institution of the beast, it can then be said, in the fullest sense, that such worship the beast.  The warning message of the third angel is given in reference to that period, when the mark of the beast will be received, instead of the seal of the living God.  Solemn dreadful, swiftly-approaching hour!
     "And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman, [the church,] and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, [true Christians in the last generation, just prior to the second advent,] which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Rev.xii,17.  The commandments of God mean the ten precepts which God commanded, [Ex.xx.] and not nine of them only.  The testimony of Jesus Christ means what Christ taught, and also the teaching of his inspired apostles.  Mark the distinction between the two.  Those who assert that the commandments of God here mentioned mean the declarations of Christ and the apostles, confound together what inspiration has left separate and distinct.  It looks to us like downright infidelity to quibble on this point, as some do, to get rid of the fourth commandment.  The conclusion is perfectly natural and irresistible that the "remnant" are Sabbath-keepers.
     And what is it that stirs the ire of the dragon, if it is not the Sabbath?  Nine of the commandments are universally acknowledged to be binding, and are professedly kept.  The dragon is as quiet as a lamb with those who acknowledge and professedly observe nine-tenths of the "commandments of God." Who has war made on them for observing the first, second, third, (pass over the fourth,) fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth commandments?  But it will be acknowledged that there is a universal antipathy to keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.  This feeling exists, and yet who dare say that the fourth is not one of the commandments of God?  All, who have any knowledge of the Bible, know that it is; yet the mass, either ignorantly or wickedly, frown upon the Christian who has sufficient conscientiousness and moral courage to keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, which the all-wise Law-giver has placed in the very bosom of the Decalogue.
     But there is not only a general antipathy to the Sabbath, but, in communities where the subject is presented, there is generally a spirit of bitter opposition immediately raised.  Perhaps the minister of the place preaches on the subject, and feels called upon to strike as heavy a blow as possible; so he not only opposes God's holy commandment, and calls the Sabbath of the Lord "the Jewish Sabbath," "the old law," "Sabbath of the Jews," &c.; but in his zeal, brands all Sabbath-keepers with heresy, Judaism, as falling from grace, &c., and represents those who present the claims of the fourth commandment as fanatical, wicked and dangerous men, and perhaps charges the people not to go and hear them.  This suits the carnal mind which "is not subject to the law of God," and all classes of opposers, from the haughty professor to the openly vicious, feel wonderfully comforted.  We would not say that all ministers take this course.  There are many exceptions: those "who search the Scriptures," like the noble Bereans, to see what they say on this question.  But we do say that it is generally the case that ministers lead off in the opposition to the true Sabbath, which results in hatred to the Sabbath and Sabbath-keepers, and wrath which is evidently inspired by the dragon.  Now if we should present the claims of nine precepts of the Decalogue, and say nothing of the fourth, would these ministers be troubled?  Would they oppose us?  Certainly they would not; neither would the people harbor feelings of antipathy against us.  It is evident that the wrath of the dragon, and the war on the remnant, is in consequence of the Sabbath.


Review and Herald, vol 6, April 3, 1855, #26, p 206
     We are now prepared to inquire, What is the shield against all the wonderful lies with which Satan is deceiving the world at the present time?  We will look for the shield in the connection of the warning message; and we may expect to find it composed of a combination of wonderful and mighty truths which, when once understood, will so effectually anoint our eyes, that we can see and shun all of Satan's snares, and enable us to find and walk in the path which leads under that covering which is to shelter the elect when the last plagues shall fall upon the wicked.  Such a combination is alluded to in our text: the TESTIMONY and the LAW.  The same is mentioned again in [Isaiah 8] verse 20.
     After speaking of the cry which is now being made, that we should seek unto them that have familiar spirits, (mediums,) and go to the dead for knowledge, the Prophet directs our attention to the law and the testimony, and affirms that those have no light who speak not according to this word.  This quotation shows that the law and the testimony are a test or detector for this time.  This conclusion is corroborated by the third angel's message. Rev.xiv,12.  After declaring the fate of those who worship the beast, and receive his mark, he says, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."  When the beast and image (powers of earth) are "decreeing unrighteous decrees, and writing grievousness which they have prescribed," (Isa.x,1.) and "framing mischief by a law," (Ps.xciv,20,) and are thus multiplying false tests, we are informed of a company that are keeping God's law, and Jesus' faith.  Now the very manner in which our attention is called to these, proves conclusively that they are a shield or safe-guard against the false ways of this time.  While the two-horned beast is saying you must worship the image, you shall receive the mark, the warning message of the third angel says, "HERE are the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus!" as much as to say, Keep these, and you will not be in danger of worshiping the beast, or receiving his mark; and you will escape the wrath of God.
     But there is another scripture relating to this part of the subject which it is important to notice.  "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."  Rev.xii,17.  The "Woman" in this text, all will agree, represents the True Church; consequently the remnant of her seed must be the last end of the true church on earth.  This proves that God's people in the last days are distinguished by keeping (not merely professing to keep) the commandments of God, and testimony of Jesus Christ.  But why is this a peculiarity of God's people in the last days?  Because the true church has been in the wilderness; and in the last days is to come out entirely into the blazing light of truth as taught by God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
     The subject of God's commandments is agitated among them, and they soon find out they are not keeping the true Sabbath, and they immediately return to the original Sabbath which their forefathers left when the church went into the wilderness.  They now keep all God's commandments as they were given to the true Israel on Mt. Sinai.  It is the custom of the times, and also the law of the land, that men should keep the first day of the week holy; but the remnant regard it not: they move out regardless of consequences: this brings persecution: the war spirit of the dragon is manifested against them.
     We witness no persecution in the popular protestant churches; but let one of their number begin to keep the Sabbath ordained in the fourth commandment, and he will soon have war declared against him.  War is not made upon these nominal churches; therefore they are not the seed of the woman spoken of.  They are fallen, and are almost on a level with the world, and have no reason to look for persecution; for, as the poet sings.
     "The world will not persecute those who are like them,
     But hold them the same as their own."


Review and Herald, vol 7, October 16, 1855, #8, p 61
     But let us look at Joel ii,32, and see where he locates the prophecy.  "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."  It is the REMNANT that is to witness these things.  It is the remnant (or last portion of the Church) that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, (which is the spirit of prophecy, Rev.xix,10,) most certainly, that is to share this deliverance.  "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord," in the time of trouble such as never was, will share that deliverance.  "Shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him?"  Luke xviii,1-8.


Review and Herald, vol 7, February 28, 1856, #22, p 176
     To learn what we claim to be the remnant of, read Rev.xii,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."  The "woman" is an admitted symbol of the true church; and the same dragon spirit which animated Pagan Rome to crucify our Lord and persecute the primitive church, will actuate the wicked to wage war upon the remnant or last end of that church, who are found in these last days keeping the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.


Review and Herald, vol 9, December 11, 1856, #6, p 45
     What stirs the wrath of the dragon?  Let the Revelator answer: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, (the church,) and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, (the Christians of the last generation,) which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Rev.xii,17.  It is keeping the Commandments of God, and possessing the testimony of Jesus Christ which stirs the dragon.  Let the church sleep on, and the dragon will remain quiet.  But let the church obey the testimony to the Laodiceans, open the door and let the Saviour in, then go forth with strength with the Commandments of God, and having in possession the testimony of Jesus Christ, (the spirit of prophecy, Rev.xix,10) and you will see the work and war of the dragon.


Review and Herald, vol 9, January 8, 1857, #10, p 76
     THIS chapter gives a brief outline of the perils of the church through the entire Christian age.  In this chapter we have first presented the birth and ascension of Christ in the period of the Pagan dragon; second, the woman, or church of Christ, in the wilderness during the 1260 years of the Papal beast. This brings us within fifty-nine years of the present time.  What next?  The chapter closes with the prophecy of the wrath of the lamb-dragon, because the remnant keep the Commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Here the scene closes with the last persecution to be endured by the church of Jesus Christ.
     Who are the remnant?  To what portion of the Christian age shall we look for that body of Christians called [Rev.xii,17,] the remnant?  This people, and the period in which they flourish, may be definitely ascertained as follows:
     1.  The place which the prophecy concerning the remnant holds in the prophetic chain.  The prophecy concerning the remnant, and the war made on them, has its fulfillment after the 1260 years of Papal persecution.  It is the last link of the prophetic chain of Rev.xii.
     2.  The figurative word, remnant, must represent the latest members of the church of Jesus Christ, living just before his second coming.  This figure is wisely chosen, and is forcible.  The seller of dry goods, after taking garment after garment from the piece of cloth, often has a remnant left.  This remnant is not only a small piece, but is the last of the web.  This must represent the living church who are waiting for Christ's return from the wedding, to which he says, "Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
     3.  By what they do.  They keep the Commandments of God.  The fact that those who are looking for the speedy second advent are turning to keep all ten of the Commandments of God, must be regarded by the careful observer and student of the Scriptures as a wonderful fulfillment of prophecy.  It is said of the people of God under the Third Angel's Message, (which just precedes the coming of the Son of man,) "Here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus."
     We see the Commandments of God classed with the Faith of Jesus in Rev.xiv,12, and with the Testimony of Jesus Christ in chap.xii,19, as something distinct from either.  As the Faith or Testimony of Jesus embraces the entire doctrines of the New Testament, with all its gifts and promised blessings, we are shut up to the faith that these Commandments of God are nothing more nor less than the ten unchangeable precepts spoken from Sinai, and written in the tables of stone by the finger of God.  Hence the remnant who keep the Commandments of God will be found engaged in the Sabbath reform.
     What is it?  Let the angel at whose feet John fell to worship [Rev.xxi,10] testify: "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  If the church had ever followed Jesus Christ instead of uniting with the world, they would have kept the Commandments of God.  They would also have ever had the Testimony of Jesus Christ, or what is the same thing, the spirit of prophecy.
     Says Paul, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that, miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."  1Cor.xii,28.  Can it be shown that God has taken these out of the church?  No, it cannot.
     The same apostle testifies, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man; for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."  Gal.i,11,12.  Paul received the gospel in open vision with Jesus Christ.
     Again he says, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations there was given me a thorn in the flesh," &c.  2Cor.xii,7.
     But in the last days the work of restoring the Commandments of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ to the church will be seen, according to the word and promise of God.  "Here are they that keep the Commandments of God," under the Third Angel's Message, will then be a fact.  The dragon's war on the remnant which keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ, will then be no longer a prophecy only, but a fact.  Joel's prophecy of the last days will then be a fact also, in all its fullness.  "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.  And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.  And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."  Joel ii,28-32.  Here is seen, and will soon be realized, the Testimony of Jesus Christ, to the "remnant whom the Lord shall call."


Review and Herald, vol 11, February 25, 1858, #16, p 126
     The remnant of the gospel church will have the gifts.  War will be waged against them because they keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ.  Rev.xii,17.  In Rev.xix,10, the Testimony of Jesus is defined to be the spirit of prophecy.  Said the angel, "I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the Testimony of Jesus."  In chap.xxii,9, he repeats the same in substance, as follows: "I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets."  From the comparison we see the force of the expression, The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.


Review and Herald, vol 13, March 24, 1859, #18, p 139
     "For in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
     This remnant, existing amid the signs and wonders that usher in the great and terrible day of the Lord, are, doubtless, the remnant of the seed of the woman spoken of in Rev.xii,17 - the last generation of the church on earth.  "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."
     The remnant of the gospel church will have the gifts.  War will be waged against them because they keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Rev.xii,17.  In Rev.xix,10, the testimony of Jesus is defined to be the spirit of prophecy.


Review and Herald, vol 14, August 18, 1859, #13, p 98
     Again: "And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."  These gifts are being developed in the judgment church; but the ire of the dragon is stirred, and he will soon make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  But there is safety in standing on the Rock of eternal truth.


Review and Herald, vol 15, April 12, 1860, #21, p 165-166
     But another question, one which is important to all who believe that the signs to precede the final closing up of the dispensation have been given, and the last days have come, is, Are we now to look for the remnant people according to the prophecy, and how may we know them?  What are their characteristics?
     Rev.xii,17.  John saw the remnant mentioned in this prophecy, and he states their peculiar characteristics so that they need not be mistaken amid the multitude of nominal Christians.  "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  The woman mentioned here by universal admission is the true church of Christ as distinguished from Rome, the Mother of harlots, the persecutor of the saints; and from the persecution of corrupt anti-Christian Rome she fled into the wilderness for a time, and times, and half a time, or 1260 years, and the remnant of her seed is the last of the true church, which being the remnant or last must be in existence as a people when the dispensation closes, else it is not the remnant or last of the seed of the woman.
     How is this remnant characterized?  By keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus Christ.  In Rev.xix,10, we read, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  Paul in 1Cor.i,6,7, says, "Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."  These passages harmonize with the third angel's message in its effect.  Rev.xiv,12.  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
     Here it is evident that the remnant mentioned in Joel's prophecy are those who obey the third angel's message and refuse to worship the beast or his image (a corrupt nominal Christianity), or to receive his mark in their foreheads or in their hands.  With them in due time will the testimony of Jesus be confirmed so that they will come behind in no gift; all the gifts of the first age of the dispensation will be among them while waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
     The Sabbath command is the test of the age.  Nothing except looking for Jesus is more unpopular.  And while a popular Christianity despises and disregards the fourth command, it cannot claim to be keeping the commandments of God.  Even the Seventh-day Baptists, both ministers and people, while nominally professing obedience to the Sabbath command, place so little value upon it that they neglect to urge its claims upon the people, because it would subject them to the penalty of becoming unpopular in the estimation of the popular church.  At least it is so in the circle of my acquaintance.
     The remnant, then, will be distinguished from all others by a conscientious regard for the fourth command, and by faithful labor and effort to urge the claims of a holy and perfect law to the obedience of all, though in the discharge of this high trust, like Paul, they may suffer the loss of all things.
     But another characteristic of this remnant is, they keep the faith of Jesus.  This is as distinguishing a characteristic as the other, and need not be mistaken.  I am aware that the professed Christianity of this age claims to possess the faith of Jesus; but their claim will not bear investigation in the light of the written word.  It looks more like the traditions of men.
     Death by sin, life through Jesus, is certainly the faith of Jesus.  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Rom.vi,23; John x,28.  "And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish," &c.  Rom.ii,7.  "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life."  Col.iii,3,4.  "For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory."  1John ii,25.  "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."  But while life and immortality is the promised gift in the word of God to the faithful, is it the faith of Jesus to claim the possession of both as inherent in our nature?
     The second coming of Christ, and life from the dead in the resurrection of the just, is a cardinal point in the faith of Jesus.  John vi,40.  "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day."  1Thess.iv,14-16.  "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first."  2Tim.iv,8.  "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
     Now is that the faith of Jesus which expects its reward when the immortal part leaves its temporary dwelling place here and enters immediately another in heaven, aside from a resurrection or the coming of the Life-giver?  In such a faith both are of no consequence, and neither to be desired.
     The faith of Jesus expects a glorious reality, a new heavens and a new earth, a city which hath foundations, the Jerusalem above which is the mother of us all.  Can that faith be the faith of Jesus which is based only upon immateriality, a mere shadow, a mere nothing?
     Thus unmistakably clear are the distinguishing characteristics of the remnant or last church brought to view in this prophecy...


Review and Herald, vol 15, May 17, 1860, #26, p 201
     As this excuse of some dear friends (who had been gone for many years) might suit some others also, I would inquire concerning it.
     Our friends had been with the Freewill Baptists; therefore said, "It had not been convenient to keep the seventh day."  A thought occurred to me - would it be convenient for those making such excuses to "have right to the tree of life and to enter in through the gates into the city?"
     Our Lord said to the young man who inquired of him, if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments."  Matt.xix,17.  Again there is not all the church, but only a "remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Rev.xii,17.  Again, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."  Rev.xiv.  Again, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
     I would kindly ask any of our dear religious friends who make such excuses here, whether they think they can stand up in the judgment and say, It was not convenient for me to "rest the seventh day according to the commandment," or it was not convenient for me to keep the Sabbath which Christ said "was made for man."
     Suppose that Noah had said It is not convenient for me to build an ark; or if Daniel had said, It is not convenient for me to be cast into the den of lions; or if the three Hebrews had said, It will not be convenient now for us not to follow the fashion of all the people, and bow down to the great image which the king of Babylon has set up; we shall be unpopular and out of fashion; besides it will not be convenient for us to disobey the great king and be cast into the fiery furnace!  Would they have been blest of God?
     Was it convenient for our dear Saviour to lay down his life for us?  And was it convenient for his blessed apostles and prophets, and for millions of the martyrs of Jesus to lay down their lives rather than to vary one single iota from what they believed to be truth?
     The writer of this knows a little how to sympathize with the lone ones, having lived one season in a city where no others were known to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.
     Dear reader "those that are with him (the King of kings) are called, and chosen, and faithful."  Rev.xiii,14.


Joseph Bates, Second Advent Waymarks, p 110-115
     "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith or testimony of Jesus;"  Rev. 14:12.
     Here we come back again to the history of the advent, as the closing up of the messages of the three preceding angels.  When the last had delivered his message in 9-11 v. the same as brought to view in 18:4, John sees this company on the picture before him - the saints in their patience "keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."  This is an entire different company from those that had just passed before his eye.  These are some of the same company seen in the sixth way mark, the Philadelphia Church.  Jesus marks them by saying, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience," &c. &c.  Then, as we have shown, this church had come out of the fifth, the Sardis state, which we called the nominal church, precisely the same which the third angel speaks of as "having the mark of the beast and his image in his forehead and hand," in 14:9, that had just preceded the last.  He marks the time by showing them to be in the patient or trying time, just where the virgins were placed after they came out of the churches in the fall of 1844.  What were they doing?  We say they were keeping the seventh day Sabbath.  John knew perfectly well what the commandments of God were.  He sees them persecuted by the old dragon in the previous chapter, but did not say who and what they were until he had this view, only that they were a remnant (the last end, after all the rest had been cut off from them).  Here then in the xiv. chap. he designates them under an entire different character from their former associates.  He could not nor does he say that those from whom they had separated kept the commandments; but this last company had been keeping nine of them, (or they could not have been made white,) but John does not give them or the others any credit for keeping a part, for James has said they were a perfect law and "if we offended in one point, we should be guilty of all."  Therefore as soon as he saw them keeping the fourth commandment which had been trampled under feet, he cries out, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God."  Every person of common sense that read their Bibles must know that not one particle of proof can be produced therefrom to prove that the keeping of the first day of the week is any more the keeping of the fourth commandment than keeping Thursday.  Here, then, I prove is the difference that John saw.  Here our history comes in again to fulfil this very point, as I have stated in my late work on the Sabbath, (see 58 and 59 pg.) and it binds down all the other way marks as it came to us, after we entered the furnace of affliction, and has been increasing ever since.  Does not this company which you can and most likely do point out by name, in your different cities and towns, prove to a demonstration that the third angel's message is, and must be given before there could be a company found as stated in 12th v.  This is the remnant that is to be saved out of all the great company that published the good news and glad tidings of a coming Savior.  "Blessed are they that DO his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city;" 22:14.  Now this people are to be saved for keeping the commandments of God and the faith or testimony of Jesus.
     Then it will be very important to know what the commandments of God are, separate and distinct from the commandment and testimony of Jesus.
     Commandments of God. -  They are ten.  See Exo. 34:28; Deut. 4:13 and 10:4.  They are given in detail in Exo. 20:3-17.  "Given on two tables of stone, written by the finger of God;"  Deut. 9:10; Exod. 31:18.  "And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God graven upon the tables;" Exo. 32:16.  This also is called the covenant which God made with his people, Deut. 9:9, and 4:13.  When they were put into the ark, they were called the ark of the testimony.  Of Moses?  No, the testimony of God himself.  Has God ever abolished this testimony?  No.  It is also called his word.  Isaiah says, "the word of our God shall stand forever."  Will he ever abolish this covenant?  Hear him: "My covenant will I not break, nor ALTER the thing that has gone out of my lips."  Then I clearly perceive that the ten commandments which he calls his covenant, "his testimony," "my word," can never be altered or changed.  When I write them on the hearts and minds of the Gentiles, it will be the same, unless I shall distinctly state to the contrary.  God calls them his laws.  Will they be changed?  The Psalmist says, "the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul."  Jesus says "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fail."  Will it fail after Jesus is nailed to the cross?  Paul speaks 25 years after, and says, "We establish the law" - "wherefore the law is holy, just and good."  James about the same time calls it a  "perfect royal law," the law of liberty by which we are to be judged.  They are both speaking of the commandments.  James quotes two out of the ten to show what he means, and says, "if we fail in one point of keeping the whole law, we are guilty of all."  "Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established."  Don't forget these two last witnesses.  Their testimony here does utterly and forever condemn every advocate for no Sabbath, and first day Sabbath in the world.  Because if the law is broken or altered, it is impossible for it to be perfect or holy.
     Let God speak once more, and at a time, too, when men were violating his law.  "How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws.  [You have violated my Sabbath.]  See for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath.  So the people rested on the seventh day;" Exo. 16:27-30.  What is the testimony of the Savior, to the man enquiring for eternal life?  "If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments."  Six only are named, and these all relating to our duty with man.  It is said by our opponents, because the Sabbath was not mentioned, that the fourth commandment was not in force.  By the same rule, the first three must be abolished; that is, pay no regard to God, only love your neighbor.  Jesus proved this man a hypocrite without testing his love to God, by quoting the first table or four commandments.  For you see if he had have loved God with all his heart, he would have sold all and been perfect, "but as he had only kept the last six in the decalogue, he went away sorrowful;" Matt. 19.  That he did not always leave out our duty to God in the commandments, see his sermon on the mount.  "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments [beware oh vain man,] and shall teach men so, shall be least (or as Campbell translates it,) shall be in no esteem in the reign of heaven."  Here he quotes two from the last table, and one from the first, murder, adultery, and taking God's name in vain.  But in 22. ch. he includes the whole, love to God and love to our neighbor; "on these two hang all the law and the prophets."  In Luke 10:25-28, in answer to the question how to inherit eternal life, Jesus asks what is written in the law.  The man quotes the words of Jesus in Matt. 22.  He says, "thou hast answered right; this do, and live."  Now what law was it that these commandments, which are God's law, sustained?  Why, none other than the law of Moses.  Then the law of God on tables of stone, and the law of Moses in a book, both laid in the ark together are two entire and distinct codes of laws; Deut. 31:26.  The testimony of God, Jesus Christ, David, Paul and James, is that the law of God is the ten commandments on tables of stone.  God distinctly says the seventh day Sabbath is his commandment and his law.  And there is not one passage in the Bible that shows that they were ever abolished.  Then they are still in full force.  And so John understood it in Rev. 14:12. (See Sabbath work, page 53, 54.)  How advent believers, and especially teachers, can have the effrontery to disobey and contradict God on this clear doctrine, I know not.  The leading ones seem to be very tenacious of every word of God, but this portion of truth is treated by them with as much malevolence and contempt as if it were some doctrine found in the Apocraphy.
     "Faith or testimony of Jesus;" Rev. 14:12.  What is it?  I understand it to be his teachings or testimony at his first advent, except the Revelation after his ascension.  Are his commandments shown to be distinct from God?  Yes.  See John 13:34: "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you that ye also love one another."  "If ye love me, keep my commandments;" 14:15 and 21 v.  Again, "If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love;" 15:10.  Think it is best to believe that Jesus kept the fourth commandment, or shall we say that he violated it and changed it, by giving the first day for the Sabbath, and leave the Bible and go to history for proof?
     "This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you;" 12th v.  This, then, is the sum of Jesus' commandments, viz. the "new" one in 13:34.  This new, last, or eleventh commandment, is entirely confined to the true disciples of Jesus, while the ten commandments are to love God and all mankind.  But Jesus has commanded us to believe in him and his disciples.  True, but that is not called his commandment.  (See his last testimony and  instructions.)  "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."  (See work on the Sabbath, page 52 and 53.)  Now it seems to me we can understand John in the text, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God (the ten that he wrote on tables of stone) and the faith of Jesus," (what he taught his disciples, as in the above last instructions,) Matt. 28:19,20.  This was his testimony (see also Rev. 12:17).  Says the reader, why did not the people "keep the commandments of God," as in the text, before the fall of 1844?  Because the message had not been presented, nor could not be until the third angel's message (9th to 11th v.) had made this separation, for they could not keep the fourth commandment, the seventh day Sabbath, while they were united with the nominal church, (Babylon,) hence the separation.  First, how did they understand or know any thing about this message?  Answer - just as they understood the first, second and third messages in xiv:6,8 and 9 v. Rev.  These messages ended as the seventh trumpet began to sound, which divided the virgins, as in the parable, and as in Hab. after the vision had spoke the truth and began to tarry.  The soul of one party was lifted up and not upright, while the just would live by his faith," 4th v.  At the sounding of this seventh trumpet, John sees the "temple of God open in heaven.  And there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament." xi:19.  Again in xvi.chap. he describes this same people rejoicing over the victory of the beast and his image.  They were out of Babylon; standing by the sure word of prophecy, not in the air, for the 4th v. says all nations shall come, &c., (in the future,) and then says, "And after that, [above described,] I looked, and behold the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was open."  Here was the preparation for the marriage, and cleansing the sanctuary that was open on the "10th of the 7th month," and the first message that issued on the commandments came from the presentation of the ark, which had never been described nor seen since the day that God drove Adam out of Paradise, and "placed cherubims and a flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life."  This was the point of time that this message was urged on God's people, to test their sincerity and honesty in the whole word of God and no where else in the previous messages.


Joseph Bates, Seal of the Living God Pamphlet, p 19, 54-56
     Living God: is first used by Moses in Deut. 5:26, "For who is there of all flesh that hath  heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived."  Nehemiah also refers to this, showing that it was the time the awful scene when God came down to give them true laws, "and makest known to them his holy Sabbath," 9:13,14.  Joshua next uses the expression "living God," when he describes the power of his commandments in rolling back the downward stream of the river Jordan, &c.  John in vision replies to it in the same sense, or meaning, "sees a remnant of the seed of the woman (last end,) persecuted for keeping "the commandments of God and testimony of Jesus Christ." - Rev. 12:17.  Again, he sees them under the third messenger's message, Rev. 14:9, after having passed through the two preceding ones in 6-8 verses, keeping the commandments of God, &c., 12th verse, and shows us how they came to understand their duty, and the time when to begin to keep them, viz: "And the temple of God was open in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament, and there were lightnings and voices," &c., 11:19.  This Ark contain[ed] the ten commandments...
     The little company that are now presenting and receiving the sealing message in this last work which God has given them before their deliverance, have got their watch word also, viz: "The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."  "The Sabbath of the Lord our God."  This will develop the residue of the 144,000 and bring them out from mount Ephraim.
     ISAIAH'S  PROPHECY  OF  THE  SEALING  MESSAGE
     "Bind up the testimony: seal the law among my disciples." 8:16.  How shall we understand this?  What testimony and law is this?  and who are these disciples?  Answer: the New Testament says, they are the followers of Jesus.  But Isaiah's prophecy is 741 years before Jesus was born; may he not mean disciples in the Old Testament?  no: because the term is not used there.  Well then, perhaps he meant the first disciples of Jesus?  no, he could not have the law sealed among them, for if that had have been the case, the successors of the early disciples could have no benefit from the law.  Stop says an opponent, it was nailed to the cross.  That is what you have continually asserted, to your own shame and confusion!  Let me ask you a question: What is the bible definition of sin?  you answer, sin is the transgression of the law, 1st John 3:4.  Paul also teaches that where there is no law, there is no sin.  Then if the law was abolished at the crucifixion, there has not a living soul sinned for the last 1800 years.  Do you believe that?  O no!  Well then, cease to preach your infidel, soul destroying doctrine.  John by the inspiration of God in holy vision, has seen you trying to destroy God's holy law; mark well his denunciations.  "He that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a LIAR and the truth is not in him." 1st John 2:4.  Do not forget to notice the date of this epistle, it is 57 years after you say the law was abolished.
     I know you try to ease your consciences by calling it 1st, the law of the New Testament; 2d, the law of Grace; 3d, the law of life; and lastly "the perfect law of liberty."  I ask, where does life, and grace, and liberty, emanate from, but from God the law giver through Jesus Christ?
     Why are you continually seeking out some new way of your own to explain the simple law of God?  Go to the decalogue, read it, and then search to know if it is written on your hearts, and cease your vain and fruitless endeavors to remodel, or abolish the law of God.  
     There is but two distinct laws which the church of God were required to keep.  1. God's law on tables of stone, and also on the heart.  2. Moses's law of ceremonies.  Now we know the last was abolished at the crucifixion.  The 1st then, is the law which is now to be sealed up: why now? because God has thoroughly tried and proved the world in every way, to see if they would keep his commandments or no.  He sees the great mass have utterly rejected them, but there is a remnant that have been trying to restore and honor them, and now Isaiah sees that he would seal it among his disciples, as John and Ezekiel has shown, and receive this remnant into Paradise from where the law (fourth commandment,) first emanated, and destroy all those that have transgressed it, and leave the earth empty and desolate, to keep her Sabbaths for 1000 years.  Then when it is made new all who love God's law (and no others,) will inherit it forever.
     Further:  John saw in vision, that the remnant, (the last end,) the disciples of Christ were persecuted by the dragon for "keeping the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ." - Rev. 12:17.  Now mark! 1. These are the last portion of God's people, and they are keeping his law.  2. They are the disciples of Jesus, because they keep his "testimony."
     Then Isaiah saw the same remnant that John did; and sees that the testimony of Jesus was to be bound up with them, and the law, (or commandments, which is the same,) SEALED among them, or upon them.  Now see them in the history he has given of them since they came out of the churches, and began to "keep the commandments of God and the faith or testimony of Jesus," 14:12.  Is there any such people?  yes, yes!  Where?  answer, scattered all over the land.  Do you know their names?  yes, a great many of them.  Then this point is clear.  But there is further testimony, that these disciples are the law, or Sabbath keepers of the last days.  See the next verse, Isa. 8:17.  "And I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him".  God is always represented as hiding his face from his people when they are in trials.  I ask if this is not the very time that the remnant are passing through their last trials, collectively?  yes. - Well, have they not been looking for the Lord collectively?  yes.  Do they wait upon him still?  yes.  Then that is settled also.  Now 18th verse, "Behold I and the children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs and wonders in Israel," &c.  Who are these?  The same people.  The first wonderful sign by which they were distinctly known from Second Advents, was shut door believers, but the greatest wonder, and sign by which they are now known is 7th day Sabbath believers.


Merritt E. Cornell, Miraculous Powers, p 22-23
     The calling on the name of the Lord, and the deliverance of the remnant, spoken of in close relation to the great day of the Lord, evidently refer to the closing scenes of the history of the church in this mortal state.  The oppressed people of God are yet to raise to heaven one united day and night cry for deliverance.  Luke xviii.  This is symbolized by the message of prayer of the fourth angel of Rev. xiv. 15.  And in answer to this prayer, the remnant which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, will find deliverance.


J.N. Loughborough, Heavenly Visions,  p 25-26, 74-75, 83
     OF the church waiting for Christ's second coming, we read in Revelation:  "And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Rev.12:17.  Here, then, is the last of the church in her probationary state, two features being prominent in her work - the keeping of all the commandments of God, and having the spirit of prophecy.
     That we are right in applying the "remnant" to the last phase of the church is apparent from the words found in Joel's prophecy.  When speaking of the end, the prophet says:  "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."  Joel 2:30-32.  So the "remnant" church, the church called out, and fitted for the Lord's coming, will be keeping all the commandments of God, and the gift, or spirit, of prophecy will be with them to "confirm" them to the end.
     In the prophecy of Isaiah we have a testimony concerning this same people, and a statement respecting the opposition of their work.  The prophet says:  "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever ["the latter day," margin, Heb.]: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not bear the law of the Lord: which say to the seers, See not: and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits; get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."  Isa.30:8-11.
     Here is presented what is to be found in the last days, a people  teaching the law of God, and the gift of prophecy as connected with their work, which work is the exalting of the Holy One of Israel, and making plain his pathway of light and truth.  Those opposing them desire an easier path, and "smooth things," consequently they reject the law of God and the teachings of his Holy Spirit through the gift of prophecy....
     The apostle Paul, when speaking of the people who would be waiting for Christ's second coming, says: "The testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."  1Cor.1:6-8.
     From this we see that all the gifts are to be manifest among the people who shall meet Christ in peace at his coming.  One gift is especially singled out, the confirmation of which prepares the way for all the gifts to be developed in the church.  That one gift he calls the testimony of Jesus.  What is the testimony of Jesus?  In Revelation 12, after the persecution of the Dark Ages, we find the apostle speaking thus of the last of the church in her probationary state: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman [a symbol of the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Verse 17.  By a remnant we understand the last of that of which we speak.  The remnant of cloth is the last of the bolt.  So the remnant of the church is the last of the church in its probation here.  In Joel's prophecy, just before the great and terrible day of the Lord, he says, Salvation shall be "in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."  Joel 2:32.  This remnant will have war made on them for keeping all of God's commandments, and for having manifested among them the testimony of Jesus.  The testimony of those who were taught in vision by the Spirit of God is called the Testimony of Jesus.  "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2Peter 1:21.  When speaking of those ancient prophets, Peter said, "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."  1Peter 1:11.  The instruction of those prophets in holy vision was the "testimony of Jesus."
     In Revelation, chapter 19, is a scripture definition of the "testimony of Jesus."  When John was about to worship the angel, he said to him, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  Rev.19:10.
     When we have a scriptural definition of a word or phrase, it is proper to substitute the definition in the text.  In doing this, 1Cor.1:6,7, would read, "The spirit of prophecy was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift;  waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."  And in Rev.12:17 it would read that the dragon went to make war with the remnant who "keep the commandments of God, and have the spirit of prophecy."  We see, then, that the remnant church, the members of which will be keeping all of God's commandments, are to have the gift of prophecy among them, and that that gift is to lead out in preparing the way so that all the gifts will at last be manifested among the people who are waiting for Christ's coming.  So, then, as the Lord's people return to the keeping of all his commandments, the gift of prophecy is restored to them.
     In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians he speaks of Christ's second coming, and of a people prepared to meet him, in these words: "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."  He exhorts as follows:  "Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  Quench not the Spirit.  Despise not prophesyings.  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."  1Thess.5:4, 16-21.  From this we learn that the gift of prophecy will be among the people waiting for Christ's second coming.
     What could be more consistent than to expect the Lord directly to teach his people who are to pass through the perils of the last days, and be prepared to meet the Saviour in peace at his coming?  It is that point of time to which the patriarchs, and the true prophets of all past time, have looked with intense interest, when the conflict of ages - the controversy between sin and righteousness - is to close, - the time when the age for which all other ages were made is to be brought in.  It can not be that God, who is abundant in mercy, will refrain from specially instructing his people.  Thanks be to God, he has not left this as a matter of mere supposition; for he will guide his people by the spirit of prophecy, as the Scriptures clearly teach.  Such a manifestation of all the gifts in the church will be  indeed a "time of refreshing" as is meet to herald the coming of the Master....
     Away back in the days of Assyria, when Joel the prophet spoke of the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon all flesh in the last days, the Lord foretold how he would give the message of deliverance to "the remnant whom the Lord shall call," Joel 3:32.  Think of it!  In the days of Assyria, before Babylon ever rose to power, the Lord was planning what He would do with that remnant, the remnant that He should call in the last days, who were to bear the gospel message of deliverance finally to the people of the earth.
     And we come a little nearer, in the New Testament.  There we find a description of this remnant church.  The dragon, it was foretold, would be wroth with the remnant, with the last church, which should "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Rev.12:17.
     In the fourteenth chapter of Revelation is found a picture of this church which keeps the commandments of God going to all the world with the everlasting gospel, crying, "The hour of His judgment is come."  And when the time of the judgment hour in the heavenly sanctuary came in 1844, it brought this movement - it brought a people who were keeping the commandments of God and preaching the message that the judgment hour had come.


J.N. Loughborough, The Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church, Part 2, p 34
     Of the church waiting for Christ's second coming we read in Revelation: "And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Rev.12:17.  This phrase, "testimony of Jesus," is clearly defined in Rev.19:10, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  Here, then, is the last of the church in her probationary state, two features being prominent in her work, - the keeping of all the commandments of God, and having the spirit of prophecy.


J.N. Loughborough, Great Second Advent Movement, p 200-201
     In the revelation we read of the "remnant"-the last gospel church: "The dragon was wroth with the woman [church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."6  What is the "testimony of Jesus," we inquire, which the last church is to have, and which in its confirmation prepares the way for the manifestation of all the gifts of the Spirit?  To this question we find an answer in the testimony of the angel to John on the isle of Patmos: "I fell at his feet to worship him.  And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."7
     This definition given by the angel shows that it is the "spirit of prophecy" manifest in the church that is waiting for Christ that prepares the way for all the gifts, and that war is made on the "remnant" church for having that gift among them.
--------------------
6 Rev. 12:17.
7 Rev. 19:10.


J.N. Loughborough, Spirit of Prophecy, p 27-29
     In the New Testament, where Paul is speaking of the people waiting for Christ's second coming, he says: "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."  1Cor.1:4-8.  From this we see that all the gifts are to be manifest among that people who stand at last prepared to meet Christ in peace at His coming.
     From this it also appears that one gift is singled out the confirmation of which prepares the way for all the gifts to be developed in the church.  That one gift he calls the testimony of Jesus.  To ascertain the meaning of this scripture, we will compare it with others.  In Revelation, Chapter 12, after the persecution of the Dark Ages, we find the apostle speaking thus of the last of the church in her probationary state: "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."  Verse 17.  By a remnant we understand the last of that of which we speak.  The remnant of cloth is the last of the bolt.  So the remnant of the church is the last of the church in its probation here.  This is seen in Joel's prophecy of the Lord's people just before the great and terrible day of the Lord.  In the preparation for that day He says salvation shall be "in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."  Joel 2:32.  This remnant will have war made on them for keeping all of God's commandments, and for having manifested among them the testimony of Jesus.  The testimony of those who were taught in vision by the Spirit of God is called the testimony of Jesus.  We read: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."  2Pet.1:21.  When speaking of those ancient prophets, He says, "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."  Chapter 1:11.  Then the instruction of those prophets in holy vision was the "testimony of Christ.
     By looking in Revelation, chapter 19, we get a Scripture definition of the "testimony of Jesus."  This is John's account, given while in vision on the isle of Patmos.  He mistook the beautiful angel that was before him as an object for him to worship, and said: "I fell at his feet to worship him.  And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  Verse 10.  We now have an inspired definition that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
     When we have the right definition of a word or phrase, it is proper to substitute the definition in the sentence.  Substituting thus in 1Cor.1:6-7, the text would read, "The spirit of prophecy was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."  And in Rev.12:17 it would read that the dragon went to make war with the remnant who "keep the commandments of God, and have the spirit of prophecy."  We see, then, that the remnant church, the members of which will be keeping all of God's commandments, are to have the gift of prophecy among them, and that that gift is to lead out in preparing the way so that all the gifts will at last be manifested among the people who are waiting for Christ's coming.  So, then, as the Lord's people return to obedience, to the keeping of all His commandments, the gift of prophecy is restored to His People.


J.N. Loughborough, The Two-Horned Beast, p 71
     This same company are introduced in the testimony of chap.xii,17.  "And the dragon (the modern dragon we understand is this two-horned beast.  Although to outward appearance he is mild as a lamb, he is at heart a dragon; out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: "he spake as a dragon") was wroth with the woman, (the true church,) and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus."  "The remnant" of the church we understand the same as the remnant of anything; that is, the last end of it.  Then the remnant of the church is the last of the church in a probationary state.


1891 General Conference Daily Bulletin, vol 4, March 18, 1891, #11, 13th Meeting, p 152
     Another point: Some are disposed to look at this passage from the standpoint of the war that is to be made upon the remnant because they keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  And there will of course be opposition.  There is opposition by the powers of darkness to every manifestation of the Spirit, and the true work of the gospel in the church.  They called the Master of the house Beelzebub, and said he had a devil.  Will they not say the same of his servants?  And so from this point of view, some spend their time deprecating the necessity of the coming conflict.  I take more pleasure in looking at it from another standpoint; and that is, that the church of God in the last days is coming to the front.  The dragon does not get wroth over trifles; the dragon does not get wroth over a dead church; the dragon does not get wroth over that which is of no consequence, and is doing nothing in its aggressive work on the dominions of the powers of darkness.
     What, then, does the scripture declare?  It declares this: that in the last days the church of God will stand forth in the power of the Master; and it will bear two grand characteristics: it will keep the commandments of God, it will obey him, it will have his law written in their hearts; it will have another feature, - it will have the gifts of the Spirit in operation in its midst.  And these two features are the objects which excite the wrath and opposition of those who are in darkness and in error.

1899 General Conference Daily Bulletin, 33rd Session, February 17, 1899, vol 8, p 13
     This testimony of Jesus is in the church.  In the twelfth chapter of Revelation we read something about this: "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."  How many of the people there spoken of keep the commandments of God? - All.  Is commandment-keeping a denominational affair, an individual matter?  It is an individual matter.  All have the same righteousness, because each one will have the righteousness of God.  How many are to have the faith of God? - All.  Do they have it simply as a mass, or will each person have the faith of Jesus for himself? - Each one will have it for himself.
     We read that the manifold wisdom of God is known to the principalities and powers by means of the church.  But the church is composed of units, individuals; the church is the house of God, the temple of the living God, because each individual member is also the temple of the living God.  Just as the human body is composed of an infinite number of cells, each cell having life, the life of God, and the life of the body is the united life of all these, so the church of God is composed of a vast number, each one having life from God; and the life of the church is the union of all those units.
     This is simple enough.  "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God."  Does the dragon make war with the church as a whole, or with individuals? - He comes pretty close to us as individuals sometimes; and the fact that somebody in the church has successfully resisted him, while it is an encouragement to us, is not resistance for us.  I like to hear the testimony of how brethren have met the enemy, and conquered him in the faith of Christ; but that does not conquer him for me.  I also must resist, steadfast in faith.  "Here are they [the individuals] that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."  "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."  They all keep the commandments of God, and they all have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Each individual of the body keeps the commandments of God, and each individual has the testimony of Jesus Christ.  That is not a rash statement; we all believe that.  It is not anything new; just simply what we read here.


James White, Life Incidents, p 324-326
     They find no prophecy in the Old Testament pointing to the opening of the Christian age as the time for spiritual gifts to be removed from the people of God, and no declaration in the New Testament that the church would not need them, and that therefore they were about to cease.  No, nothing of this kind appears upon the sacred page.  But we hear the prophet of God say, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.  And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."  Joel 2,28-32.
     Notice, first, that the prophet points to the last days, as quoted by Peter.  Acts 2,16-20.  There can be no days later than the last, a period in which these things will be removed from the church; and, second, that he also points to signs and wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, in the sun and in the moon, to appear in connection with the manifestation of the spirit of prophecy.  Third, he mentions the deliverance of those who call on the name of the Lord.  This naturally applies to the deliverance of God's people who will cry to him day and night in the time of trouble.  Luke 18; Dan. 12.  They will be delivered, according to the words of the prophet.  And may not the "remnant" here mentioned be the same spoken of in Rev. 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."
     The woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of the church represents the Christians of the last generation of men living just prior to the second advent.  The dragon makes war on these for keeping the commandments of God, Sabbath and all, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ, which according to the inspired definition of chap. 19,10, "is the spirit of prophecy."  Here, then, are the causes of the dragon's warfare upon the remnant.  They teach the observance of the ten commandments, and the revival of the gifts, and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them.  When the Devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty was filled with revengeful delight.  But when the remnant, whom God designs to fit for translation to Heaven without seeing death, "ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein," then the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them.
     The true spirit of the dragonic host, which is already being somewhat developed, is vividly described in Isa. 30,8-13, as being manifested just prior to the sudden destruction of those who hate the pure testimony, and love smooth and deceitful things.
     "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever [margin, `the latter day']; that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord; which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits; get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.  Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant."


Uriah Smith, Daniel and Revelation, Chapter 12, p 552-557
     The prophet then glances rapidly over the working of Satan from that time to the end (verses 11, 12), during which time the faithful "brethren" overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony while his wrath increases as his time grows short.  Though working through earthly powers, Satan, personally, is the chief agent from verses 9 to 17.
     "VERSE 13.  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child.  14.  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.  15.  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.  16.  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.  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."
     But little comment is necessary on the verses last introduced.  Suffice it to say that here we are again carried back to the time when Satan became fully aware that he had utterly failed in all his attempts against the Lord of glory in his earthly mission;  and seeing this, he turned with tenfold fury, as already noticed, upon the church which Christ had established.  Then we have again brought to view the church going into that condition here denominated being "in the wilderness."  This must denote a state of seclusion from the public gaze, and of concealment from her foes.  That church which during all the dark ages trumpeted lordly commands into the ears of listening Christendom, and flaunted her ostentatious banners before gaping crowds, was not the church of Christ;  it was the body of the mystery of iniquity.  The "mystery of godliness"  was God manifested here as a man;  the "mystery of iniquity"  was a man pretending to be God.  This was the great apostasy, the mongrel produced by the union of heathenism and Christianity.  The true church was out of sight;  in secret places they worshiped God;  the caves and the hidden recesses of the valleys of the Piedmont may be taken as representative places, where the truth of the gospel was sacredly cherished from the rage of its foes.  Here God watched over his church,, and by his providence protected and nourished her.
     The eagles' wings given her appropriately signify the haste with which the true church was obliged to provide for her own safety when the man of sin was installed in power, together with the assistance God provided her to this end.  The like figure is used to describe God's dealing with ancient Israel.  By Moses he said to them:  "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."  Ex. 19:4.
     The mention of the period during which the woman is nourished in the wilderness as "a time and times and half a time," the exact phraseology used in Dan. 7:25, furnishes a key for the explanation of the latter passage;  for the very same period is called in verse 6 of Revelation 12, "a thousand two hundred and threescore days."  This shows that a "time" is one year, 360 days;  two "times," two years, or 720 days;  and "half a time," half a year, or 180 days, making in all 1260 days;  and this being symbolic, signifies 1260 literal years.
     The serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood to carry away the church.  By its false doctrines the papacy had so corrupted all nations as to have control absolutely, for long centuries, of the civil power.  Through it Satan could hurl a mighty flood of persecution against the church in every direction; and this he was not slow to do.  (See reference to the terrible persecutions of the church in remarks on Dan. 7:25)  From fifty to one hundred million were carried away by the flood;  but the church was not entirely swallowed up;  the days were shortened for the elect's sake.  Matt. 24:22.
     "The earth helped the woman" by opening its mouth and swallowing up the flood.  The Reformation of the sixteenth century began its work.  God raised up the noble Luther and his colaborers to expose the true character of the papacy, and break the power with which superstition had enslaved the minds of the people.  Luther nailed his theses to the door of the church at Wittenberg;  and the pen with which he wrote them, according to the symbolic dream of the good elector Frederick of Saxony, did indeed span the continent, and shake the triple crown on the pope's head.  Princes began to espouse the cause of the Reformers.  It was the dawning of religious light and liberty, and God would not suffer the darkness to swallow up its radiance.  Tetzel, the indulgence- peddler, swelled and bellowed with wrath, and Pope Leo roared with rage;  but all in vain.  The spell was broken.  Men found that the bulls and anathemas of the pope fell harmless at their feet, just as soon as they dared exercise their God-given right to regulate their consciences by his word alone.  Defenders of the true faith multiplied.  And soon there was enough Protestant soil found in Switzerland, Germany, Holland, England, Norway, and Sweden, to swallow up the flood of papal fury, and rob it of its power to harm the church.  Thus the earth helped the woman, and has continued to help to the present day, as the spirit of the Reformation and religious liberty has been fostered by the leading nations of Christendom.
     But the dragon is not yet through with his work.  Verse 17 brings to view another and a final outburst of his wrath, this time against the last generation of Christians to live on the earth.  We say the last generation;  for the war of the dragon is directed against the remnant of the woman's seed;  that is, the remnant of the seed, or individuals, that constitute the true church;  and no generation but the last can truthfully be represented by the remnant.  If the view is correct that we have already reached the generation which is to witness the closing up of earthly scenes, this warfare against the truth cannot be far in the future.
     This remnant is characterized by the keeping of the commandments of God, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ.  This points to a Sabbath reform to be accomplished in the last days;  for on the Sabbath alone, as pertaining to the commandments, is there a difference of faith and practice among those who accept the decalogue as the moral law.  This is more particularly brought to view in the message of Rev. 14:9-12.
     It may be proper to notice that according to the testimony of this chapter, three powers are made use of by the devil to carry out his work, and hence all are spoken of as the dragon, he being the inspiring agent in them all.  These are, (1)  pagan Rome;  (2)  papal Rome;  (3)  the two-horned beast, our own government under the control of apostate Protestantism, which is the chief agent, as will hereafter appear, in making war upon those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.


Uriah Smith, Biblical Institute, p 286-287
     In accordance with this we have prophecies which plainly point to the revival of the gifts in the closing days of this dispensation.  See Rev12:17 "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." By the woman we are to understand the church; by her seed, the members of the church throughout this dispensation.  Therefore the remnant of her seed can refer to only one body of people, the last generation of Christians upon the earth.  These are characterized by keeping the commandments of God, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ.  In Rev19:10, we have the definition of what is here called the "testimony of Jesus Christ."  Said the angel to John, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  This the reader will at once recognize as one of the gifts set in the church.