12:17h
My own convictions

    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)

Someone asked
   This page is based on a letter I wrote to someone who asked whether the Bible identified a remnant church or denomination. We discussed this some on the previous page but have added thoughts here for clarification.
   I believe Jesus showed John a group of people identified by having the spiritual gift of prophecy. This does not mean that all are prophets but that they would have the prophetic voice among them. Revelation 19:10 shows that the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Christ 1217d. We can understand by a promise Jesus made:
   "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13-15)
   He is the Spirit of prophecy as well as the Spirit of truth. This is because he is the one who inspired the prophets. "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." (2 Peter 1:21). Those of us who live in the end times may expect God's people to have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the gift of prophecy, they may expect to hear the appeal of heaven through the contemporary prophetic gift.

Another verse describes the remnant
   The people John was shown in contrast to the beast worshippers keep the commandments of God. Some feel that not all of them are important. They believe that Jesus gave us commandments which supersede the ones God gave, but the verse doesn't say "Jesus' commandments" although I see them as the same commandments spoken in a different way. Rev. 14:12 identifies the final remnant as commandment keepers who have the faith of Jesus. Both faith (trusting Jesus for salvation) and obedience (keeping the commandments) are important. We are saved only by grace. Those with the faith to accept grace are identified here as also obedient r14f.

Those who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus"
   Looking again at Rev. 14:12, we recognize that one group of people believe in keeping the commandments (all 10 of them). They are the Jews who remember the one that begins with the word "remember." Another large group place their faith for salvation directly in Christ. They are the Protestants. So Jewish people do not accept one part of the verse and Protestants do not accept the other part. The Jews, as a religious group, don't accept Christ. And the Protestants, in general, keep Sunday as holy following their Catholic ancestors who disregard the 4th commandment (Ex. 20:8-11).
   While Jesus was not identifying a church denomination, one does come to view here. First let's remember that we are not saved by belonging to a church fellowship. In fact, out of Jesus' twelve disciples, one was certainly lost. We are saved only by the blood of Christ as we accept Him and His power in our lives (2 Tim. 3:5; Eph. 2:8-10).

A third mark of the final remnant
   Between Rev. 12:17 and 14:12 we have three marks of identity. We looked at two from 14:12. Returning to 12:17 we see the third. It mentions having the gift of prophecy, as we discussed. What about Seventh-day Adventists? They recognize Ellen White as having the special gift. Although I was born to Seventh-day Adventist parents, the conviction and faith are my own. I have listened carefully to all kinds of criticism about what I believe the Bible teaches and especially about Ellen White. Although criticism or lack of it does not prove the true gift of prophecy, we remember that Bible prophets were generally refused by the majority (non-remnant) of the people. Jeremiah may be a clear case (Jer. 11:18-23). And see what Jesus said about the prophets Elijah and Elisha in Luke 4:14-30. The story of the professed people of God in the Old Testament is a sad testimony of rejecting the sent ones. Luke 13:34. Jesus also said that many would come claiming to be prophets but would be false (Matt. 24:1-14). We may expect true ones, too.

The prophetic voice today
   Some believe that God stopped speaking through prophets after the Bible ended although prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:28). Amos helps us here. He revealed a principle of how God works. "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). Before the flood He sent Noah. At the Exodus, He sent Moses. And to prepare the way for the Messiah He sent John the Baptist. We may certainly expect Him to send a messenger before the great and terrible day of the Lord just before us (Mal. 4). We may expect it before the thousand years of Revelation 20 and before Jesus comes in glory (Rev. 1:7).
   As I have studied them, the objections to Ellen White are partly from misinformation and partly based on a false expectation of a prophet. Many people I have talked to have been impressed that the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts through her words. This is certainly my testimony. I suggest that you investigate for yourself. I do not expect you to immediately agree with my opinion. In fact the Scriptures tell us to investigate carefully (1 John 4:1). Also see my website: ellenwhite.info.

See for yourself
   If you would welcome a copy of one of the books of Ellen White, let me know. I'll get one to you without obligation. Her writings are on the Internet (see below), but a print book is nice to read. You will find two prominent threads through her works, uplifting Christ and pointing to the Scriptures as the final authority. She calls her work the "lesser light." Click for my e-mail.
   Notice the choice below at the far right.

   May God richly bless all of us and may we be found standing at the end of time with those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
   Chapter 13 deals with dynamite topics like the mark of the beast. We may expect rich rewards as we plow its soil.