Romans 11, 12 & 13

The Old Testament prophet Elijah became depressed after coming to the conclusion that he was the only one left who was still loyal to God. God tells him that he was not alone, and that in fact that there were still seven thousand faithful people in Israel who had not bowed to the local pagan god Baal. From this story, in 1 Kings, the Jews began to think of a Jewish 'remnant.'

Various Old Testament prophets began to see that there was never a time when the whole nation of Israel was loyal to God. But there would always be a remnant within the nation that would remain faithful and that would not compromise their faith.

Amos described God sifting men like corn in a sieve until only the good remained. Micah had a vision of God gathering the remnant of Israel. Zephaniah had the same vision. Jeremiah saw the scattered remnant being gathered together. Ezekiel was convinced that a man could not be saved by either a national or an inherited righteousness but only by an individual relationship with God.