Remnant refers to a subset of individuals who survive a catastrophe or significant event. In the context of the Bible, the remnant often holds spiritual or prophetic significance. They symbolize God’s mercy and faithfulness to his promises despite the people’s disobedience or transgressions and recurrently represent a faithful group of believers among a larger populace that has drifted away from God’s commandments.
Who Are the Remnant?
The remnant, as portrayed in the Bible, usually comprise of a select number of faithful and righteous individuals amidst a larger community. Most often, they are Israelites that remain obedient to God while their society turns to disobedience or rebellion against Him. Frequently, these individuals are tested, persecuted, and they stand resilient in their faith under these trials. In the New Testament, the remnant often extends beyond ethnic Israelites to include Gentiles who follow God’s commandments and have faith in Jesus Christ.
What Does the Bible Say about the Remnant?
The Bible presents the remnant in multiple instances and contexts, both in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic books, the remnant commonly designates the survivors of God’s judgment or calamities who maintain their faith in God and his promises. The remnant of Israel is the faithful portion of Israelites who God preserves and eventually fulfills his covenantal promises. In other instances, the remnant serves as a symbol of hope of God’s restoration after punishment. In the New Testament, the Apostles extend the concept of the remnant to include both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Savior. This universalization of the remnant underscores the grace of God offered to all humanity, regardless of ethnic or cultural heritage.
Why Is the Remnant Significant?
The remnant’s significance lies in its representation of God’s faithfulness and mercy. Throughout the Bible, ‘remnant’ often comes to represent the hope of a restored relationship with God. Despite humanity’s tendency to disobey God, the remnant serves as living proof that God does not forsake his people entirely. Even amid disaster and judgement, the persistence of the remnant reflects God’s compassion and unending commitment to his covenants. The inclusion of Gentiles in the remnant in the New Testament underscores the universalizing message of the Gospel. It evidences the Christian belief that salvation through Christ is available to all people, regardless of ethnicity or social status. It’s a crucial component in understanding the narrative arc of the Bible, mapping the journey from a specific covenant with the Israelites to a universal offer of salvation to all through Christ.
When Does the Concept of the Remnant Appear?
The concept of the remnant is introduced early in the Bible and is developed throughout. During the devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his daughters, the remnant, were spared. Similarly, during the flood, Noah and his family were the remnant saved in the ark. In the Book of Isaiah, there is a prophecy about a remnant of Israelites, indicating that even after divine judgment against Israel’s unfaithfulness, God would leave a portion who would seek Him. In the New Testament, the concept is notably present in Romans where Paul, likening Elijah’s faithful remnant to his contemporary Jewish-Christian believers, perceives both as part of God’s promise kept even in times of widespread unbelief. The book of Revelation also references a remnant preserved through tribulation and persecution, faithful to Christ.
Where Can One Find the Idea of the Remnant in the Bible?
The concept of the remnant permeates the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It often emerges during times of divine judgement or disaster but also appears in the context of prophesies about future hope and restoration. In the historical narratives of the Old Testament, the remnant often designates the survivors of a calamity or judgment. In prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, the term ‘remnant’ acquires deeper spiritual and symbolic connotations, signifying the faithful followers who remain loyal to God amidst national apostasy. In the New Testament, such as in Paul’s epistles and the book of Revelation, the remnant is extended to include believing Gentiles, evidencing the Christian belief in the universal availability of divine salvation.
Below is the full list of bible verses on remnant (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Remnant
Romans 11:5
“5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
Romans 9:27
“27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:”
Micah 2:12
“12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.”
Isaiah 1:9
“9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
Revelation 12:17
“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.”
Related Themes: Persecution
Joel 2:32
“32 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.”
Related Themes: Deliverance
Romans 11:1-5
“1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
Isaiah 10:20
“20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.”
Ezra 9:8
“8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.”
Colossians 2:8
“8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Related Themes: Education Greatness Discernment Learning Wisdom
Isaiah 10:21
“21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.”
Isaiah 10:22
“22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.”
Revelation 4:1
“1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
Related Themes: Doors
Isaiah 28:5
“5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,”
Isaiah 11:16
“16 And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”
Matthew 19:28
“28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Glorification
Revelation 19:10
“10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Jeremiah 23:3
“3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.”
Romans 11:26
“26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”
Isaiah 51:16
“16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.”
Genesis 45:7
“7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Related Themes: Deliverance Humility
1 Kings 19:18
“18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”
Ezra 9:14
“14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?”
Related Themes: Abomination
Matthew 24:24
“24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Related Themes: Discernment Earth Deception
Amos 9:12
“12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.”
2 Kings 19:4
“4 It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left.”
Isaiah 11:11
“11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.”
Related Themes: Earth
Ezra 9:13
“13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;”
Related Themes: Trespassing Humility
Micah 7:18
“18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”
Related Themes: Forgiveness Repentance Sin
Romans 10:13
“13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Related Themes: Life Quitting Guilt Eternal Life Self-Esteem
