The Remnant of the Seed
(Rev 12:17)
Korea recorded the lowest birth rate countries in the world ironically after it was ranked 10th of the richest countries. Thanks to its great passion to ride out as a conqueror bent on conquest, Korea is now enjoying its prosperity more than ever after the Korean War. Nevertheless, it became a low birth rate country because its young generation avoids getting married because of their fierce war of college entrance, employment, and projects. Physical health depends on spiritual health. By interpreting our earthly war as heavenly war, we can convert our persecution on earth into Gods nurturing which fosters us as the remnant of his seed. Who are the remnants of the seed?
1. They are the people who revere God as God. The dragon, after being expelled from heaven, tried to stop the birth of Jesus in vain. Then it persecuted the church, the woman who gave birth to the Christ again in vain. At last it went off to make war against the rest of her offspring. Who are the womans offspring? They are Christians, who revere God as God. To them, God commands that they should rejoice in Him, who keeps them not to be swept away in the torrents of the world. Flowing in the worldly currents is not actually as cool as it seems. The irresistible torrents of humanism, pluralism, and hedonism create a great part of our generation gap. Its really hard for us not to flow in the torrents especially in this age of new religion called computer. Since man ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, tempted by Satans sweet talk that he would be like God, man has fallen prey to idolatry at every opportunity. The world is an auditorium filled with people who believe that they will be like God, tempted by the sweet talk of materialism, which replaces Gods throne. However, the dragon was enraged by the womans seed ruled by God only, not money or power because his attack was frustrated and it tried to wage war against the remnant of the seed, the church. So God sent them his Holy Spirit, their Counselor to foster them and Jesus Christ, who would fight for them against Satan lest they should be swept away. Christs remnants are those who rejoice in him by converting their earthly wars into heavenly ones. Dongsik Kim, a best selling writer quit his middle school in his first year, worked in a foundry making buttons and zippers for ten years, and later in internet cafe, meeting a variety of people through his jobs. This experience made him a best seller novelist. Just as our bottom experience can make us outstanding in worldly careers, so trials and persecution make us spiritually strong enough to overcome the torrents of the world especially when we stand firm in our church community.
2. They are the people who have their own trials left. Apostle Paul regarded the trials Christians have for Jesus sake as a glory. Likewise, those who willingly fill up what is lacking the cup of their trials with Jesus afflictions, keeping Christs holy marks on their body, are truly Gods people selected by the Lord. Notice that we need to actually get through physical trials under all circumstances in order to be a true servant of the gospel. However, we often kick and scream over having to face trials, even worrying about things that might not happen because of our concern about study, promotion, health, and money. What makes us truly rejoice is not our money, honor, status, family or health but Gods calling us to be his selected people. The trials on earth are just fleeting. Thats why we need to makes a reservation for the heavenly kingdom at any cost here on earth. Those who understand the great love of Jesus Christ, revealed through his crucifixion are ready to endure their own lot of contempt, suffering, loss, evil plot and scheme against them as the remnant of the seed. How can they endure trials?
3. They are the people who overcome trials by Gods commandments and the testimony of Jesus. Just as Gods people defeated Satan, so the womans offspring can defeat him with the power of the Word and their testimony. The supreme mission of the church is to preach the Word, which encourages Christians to live out its message. Its core mission is preaching the gospel of crucifixion, which enables us to be a kernel of wheat, dead and buried. Without this mission, pastors go nowhere. So it is with us. When we have our own testimony to the Word and Gods commandments, we can live a victorious life as the remnant of the seed and be enrolled in the book of life as the womans offspring in the heavenly kingdom. I accept that Im living on borrowed time after my spouse passed away, for whom I used to pray at risk to myself. Now I pray that God will help me stand firm even by filling the cup of my trials for the sake of QT and the recovery of family. I believe that I can endure my trials because of God, who selected me for my ministry. God surely fosters and protects his people, the remnant of the seed. May God bless us all and especially our young generation to be the remnant of the seed, which will brighten the Korean church as well as Wooridle Church through their precious ministry!
Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey Gods commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17).
