"The Remnant of Her Seed" Rev. 12:17

#1

Shane Rohrich
(Edited by Wm. H. Grotheer)

“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.”

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown observe that in this verse “the remnant of her seed" is considered as "distinct in some sense from the woman herself" (Commentary on the Whole Bible. pp. 581^-582). The symbol of "the woman” is continuous in Revelation 12. She can be considered as not only symbolizing the first gospel promise (Gen. 3:15), but .also the "one inseparable Church of the Old and New Testament" (ibid., p. 580). The period of the "woman" in verse 17 is following the "time, and times, and half a time" (ν. 14.) i.e. words after 1798. The "remnant" is linked by description with the ^"saints" of Rev. 14:12, who have been involved in the giving of the Three Angels' Messages. The "woman" of 12:17 is thus the body to whom God entrusted the giving of these messages. Something occurs that causes the "dragon" to change from wrath toward the woman, to war with the "remnant” of her seed.

In Revelation 12, “seed” is symbolized twice, once as "the Man-child," (v. 5) and secondly as the "remnant.” "War" is also noted as occurring twice, once with Michael, and secondly with "the remnant."

The war against the “remnant" which has “the testimony of Jesus" concerns “'truth, pure and unadulterated." In the mouth of the "saints" there is "no guile" [Gr. dolos - "perversion of religious truth"] (14:5). They separate from the apostasy. They are undefiled by "women" [plural] (14:4). They keep [not "try" to keep] the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12). The remnant of her seed overcome the dragon “by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony (Truth), and they loved not their lives unto death" (12:11). They are a living testimony of the power of His Christ" (12:10). They are the final "manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom. 8:19).

The conclusion is inescapable. A movement within Adventism will hear the cry at midnight, and go forth to meet the Bridegroom. This is happening today. Becoming distinctly separate, they seek to walk in the "advancing light of truth" which exposes the "dragon's" subtle artifices and objectives. The result is the dragon's "war" with the "remnant" of the woman's seed.

As the end approaches, the testimonies of God^'s servants will become more decided and more powerful, flashing the light of truth upAon the systems of error and oppression that have long held the supremacy. The Lord has sent us messages for this time, that will establish Christianity upon an eternal basis; and all who believe the present truth, must stand, not in their own wisdom, but in God's wisdom, and raise up the foundations of many generations; and they will be registered in the books of heaven as ^"repairers of the breach" the ^"restorer of paths to dwell in.^" In face of the bitterest opposition, we are to maintain the truth because it is truth (R&H, Dec. 13, 1892).

"The Remnant of Her Seed" Rev. 12:17
#2

Shane Rohrich
(Edited by Wm. H. Grotheer)

The pinnacle promise, a unique promise made by Jesus Himself to the "remnant" of the seed of the woman" is that they would overcome "even as He overcame" (Rev. 3:21). They will keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The mystery of God will be finished (Rev. 10:7: Col. 1:26-27). Long has the expectation of the creation of God waited for "the manifestation of the sons of God" that are to be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:19, 29).

From the human viewpoint, the promises of God seem impossible of realization. Can God really perfect from out of sinners a remnant who will sin no more? Can God take the weakest of the weak, those bearing the sins of their forefathers, and in them show the power of God? Can they be subjected to every temptation, and the arsenal of the dragon, and yet not yield? "They will demonstrate that it is possible to live without sin - the very demonstration for which the world has been looking and for which God has been preparing. it will be evident to all that the gospel really can save to the uttermost." (Μ. L. Andreasen, The Sanctuary Service, p. 302)

The final atonement, the final mediation of our High Priest, is central in the validation of God's objective. (Lev. 16:16, 30). "To produce a people that will keep the law is the task which God has set Himself and which He expects to accomplish. When the statement is made and the challenge issued by Satan: 'No one can keep the law. It is impossible. If there be any that can do it or that have done it, show them to me. Where are they that keep the commandments?' God will quietly answer, Here, they are. 'Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.' Rev. 14:12" (ibid., pp. 310-311).

Satan challenged Christ at every step from the Wilderness of Temptation to the Cross. Yet Christ could say, "I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love" (John 16:10). Now Satan's bitter warfare focuses on the weakest of men, the "remnant of her seed." His objective is to completely obliterate the image of God in them. Yet God is counting on the "remnant of her seed" as He counted on Job to honor Him and His truth. (Job 1:8: 2:3). It is in the last generation that God cleanses His own from all sin. They are without fault before the throne: in their mouths are found no "guile" (perversion of truth) (Rev. 14:5 Gr.) As the ten virgins, they are prepared, and go out to meet Him. This is suggested by Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown: "the remnant of her seed" is "distinct in some sense from the woman herself" (pp. 581-582).

It is this theology - the third phase of the final atonement - that is highly contentious in Adventism. See Annotated edition of Questions on Doctrine, pp. xx-xxi. To Elder Andreasen, "the foundations of Adventism were being removed," and the "betrayal of Adventist theology for evangelical recognition" was "nothing less than apostasy" (ibid.). In his Letters to the Churches, Series A. #6, he stated it more forcefully - "This is more than apostasy. This is giving up Adventism. It is the rape of the whole people"(p. 86).