25/08/2026
PASTOR'S PEN: 'The Remnant of Israel: Past, Present, Future'.
In recent years, there has been a marked rise in antisemitism around the world, and much of the church has misunderstood Israel and God’s dealings with His covenant people. In view of this, it is important to know that, throughout history, God has always preserved a faithful remnant of Israel.
In the past, after his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah believed he was the only faithful follower of Yahweh left. But God assured him, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal” (1 Kings 19:18). The remnant was small, but it existed. What an important reminder for us that success in ministry is not measured by numbers or outward appearances, but by faithfulness to God. In the present, both in Paul’s day and in our own, God continues to have a faithful remnant of Jewish people who believe in their Messiah—and ours. The apostles were Jewish, Paul was Jewish, the early church in Jerusalem was Jewish, and the gospel was first proclaimed to the Jews. Today, only a small minority of Jewish people around the world, including in Israel, believe in Jesus. However, praise God, that minority is growing. It is also important to emphasise that there is no separate way of salvation for the Jewish people. Jew and Gentile alike are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Looking ahead to the prophetic future, the current partial spiritual blindness upon Israel will one day give way to glorious light when the nation finally receives its Messiah. Scripture speaks of how difficult days lie ahead for Israel, culminating in “the time of Jacob’s trouble” prophesied by Jeremiah. Zechariah tells us that two-thirds of the nation will perish, while one-third will survive and be refined through the fire. Then, at the end of Daniel’s seventieth week, Jewish people will turn to Jesus, and “so all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). The remnant will become the whole. What a glorious day that will be! God’s covenant people – a nation uniquely called by Him and beloved for the sake of the patriarchs – will be reconciled to their God. As Paul says, it will be nothing short of a resurrection: “For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Rom. 11:15). The Millennium will be a time of unparalleled joy in earth with Israel, in right relationship to her God, the pre-eminent nation pointing everyone to God.
It is important to understand God’s prophetic plans and purposes, including His purposes for the Jewish people. In doing so, we are reminded of one of the great themes of Scripture: God is faithful. Faithful to His promises. Faithful to Israel. Faithful to His church. Faithful to you and me.
The opening ‘word of glory’ in Ephesians is Trinitarian in both structure and emphasis, highlighting the united work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in salvation. We might say that the Father planned it, the Son purchased it, and the Spirit imparts it. Here, I want to focus on one as...
