No. 1.
“The remnant shall return.” ―Isa. 20:21.
I AM fond of tracing, for, my own instruction, the principles that fire found in the prophetic scriptures; for though they belong, I doubt not, primarily to God’s ancient people Israel, and will be fulfilled to them, we may, I believe, derive much profit in going over them prayerfully, in the remembrance that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16), l7.) For indeed God is the same, though dispensations change, and those He calls His own are characterized by the same features, whatever times they live in. Man, in his natural condition, too, whether in Jerusalem of old, or in what is termed Christendom now exhibits the same traits of indifference or opposition to the Lord. Take Isaiah’s testimony of the people of his day, and it will do for a description of the nominally Christian world now. “For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of His glory.” (3:8.) Idolatry, oppression, formality, and pride, marked the one sex; haughtiness, vanity, and worldliness, the other. Yet what was this message to them both? “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” But how few were touched with this pleading! How few really prized the offer of mercy― the call to receive the washing away of sin. And so now. There are few who really listen to God’s reasoning with them―few who gladly embrace the tidings of His free salvation. Yet there are some. There was a remnant in the prophet’s day, and there is a remnant still, who owe their blessedness to the sovereignty of grace. (Romans 11:55Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5).) They have gone into the presence of the holiness of God, and found themselves undone―men of unclean lips, and self-condemned. But they have touched the sacrifice for sin―have known the mystery of Emmanuel―God with us―have heard His lips announce that their iniquity is taken away, and their sin purged through His one efficacious offering, and this has won their hearts to Him, and separated them from the busy crowd. They cannot find their strength or glory in confederacies upon which a speedy-judgment is to come. But they have known and believed the sign― Immanuel, God with us. They have learned to sanctity the Lord of Hosts, himself, and found in Him a sanctuary. While the infidel, the Socinian, and the Jew are deriding, and the mere worldling is idly dreaming of security in forms and ordinances this little remnant find their rest in Jesus, trusting in His holy name. For well they know that He, whose title is the mighty God, has also proved himself to them the Prince of peace. The ancient of days has been for them a child of days, born of the Virgin’s womb for their relief. Despised rejected, crucified, and slain on Calvary for them. His blood has sealed their peace, and they repose in Him as in a sanctuary which none, can violate; for He has gone up on high, and led captivity captive. All the powers of darkness crouch to Him. They dare not touch, the soul that He protects, for He.is Lord of all, and soon will this be manifested. Soon each trusting one will be presented with Him. “Behold I and the children whom God hath given me.” (Compare Hebrews 2.) Fear not, then, the raging of your foes. Fear not the reproach of men. “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”