The Advent movement is a uniquely-called movement with a special message based on Revelation 14. Although some may feel hesitant to say so, I believe we can with certainty say that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is God’s remnant people. This is not based on any boastful pride, but on Biblical authority. We are not better than anyone else, but Christ has given us the last warning message for a dying world.

Revelation 12:17 in conjunction with Rev 14 portrays the central core of the Seventh-day Adventist message and our roots as a people. From the first part of chapter 12 we know that the “dragon” is the devil and the “woman” is God’s church. Verse 17 goes on to say that the devil “went to make war with the remnant of her seed.” The rest of the verse forthrightly states that they are those who (1) “keep the commandments of God,” and (2) “have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” These characteristics identify the “remnant” as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His representatives and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world . . .” (7T 138).

Keep the commandments of God. Although most Christians would say they accept the Ten Commandments, the central commandment that is ignored is the Sabbath Commandment which is the sign of God’s creative and redemptive power. It shows that he created the earth in six literal 24 hour days and points back to Genesis 1 and 2 indicating that the history of the earth and its chronology is short. We are Seventh-day Adventists, a unique people with a unique sign and a unique message. However, it is only possible to keep the commandments of God through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

The testimony of Jesus. Revelation 1:2 and 9 refer to John’s reporting of the “word of God” and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 19:10 clearly identifies the “testimony of Jesus” to be the “spirit of prophecy.” The Seventh-day Adventist Church with God’s messages spoken through his messenger, Ellen G. White, qualifies as the “remnant of her seed.” God spoke through Ellen White to provide his last-day Advent movement with the theological, spiritual, and practical guidance necessary for the proclamation of the unique message of Revelation 14. The Spirit of Prophecy in its entirety is to be prayerfully read, believed, shared, and implemented through the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

“We must follow the directions given through the spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy” (8T 298).

As Seventh-day Adventists we are to point people to Jesus, to turn our eyes on him, to realize that he is the center of everything we believe in and proclaim. “The more continually we fix the eye of faith on Christ, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered, the more our faith grows . . .” (HP 127).

God is using the Seventh-day Adventist Church in a mighty way today. In spite of the failings, sins, and deficiencies of his people, he changes their hearts and those of others who are introduced to him through the witness of his “remnant.” All over the world he is adding to his “remnant” people. What a wonderful family to belong to: God’s remnant people saved through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ preparing themselves for his soon Second Coming.