The Remnant That Would Not Bow Down
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: - QUESTION: - What if suddenly everything you believed in, everything you held dear, everything that was the center of your spiritual and communal existence, everything that you felt was worth living for in your life was stripped and considered illegal and immoral. Suddenly communities become a tender box of emotions and betrayal, neighbors turning on neighbors, public displays of terror are personified to crush the spirit of resistance. Would you become of the Hellenistic character bow down and assimilate with what was being propagated believing it would lead to a life of prosperity, comfort, and ease or would you stand being a Remnant holding on to Truth, Belief, and everything Holy and Righteous no matter the cost.
The following is pulled directly from recent headlines: - CNN Surrenders to Trump, Bill Gates becomes the latest Billionaire to Bow Down to Trump, Eric Williams is finally bowing down to Trump at Mar-a-largo, Zuckerberg threaten with Life in Prison Finally Bows Down to Trump, the GOP finally completes its surrender, Walmart, McDonalds, Amazon all pull their DEI programs bowing down to the Trump agenda. It is the belief that the bowing down, kissing the ring, and surrendering to the ways and whims of Trump will offer a life of security, prosperity, comfort, and ease when it actually delivers lack of integrity and conformity, submission to lies, and partnership with pandemonium.
Biblically: - Bowing down means to give reverence, worship, give assent, or submit. It is a sign of submission in the presence of a king and became the primary expression of worship before God. The Hebrew verbs “bow down” and “serve” are often translated as “worship” in the Old Testament. They describe the physical expression of a relationship of submission to authority.
Another definition is Conformity, conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group or a particular standard. To this the Bible clearly says in Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
The sad truth is that many of so-called professing Christians are striking a conformable compromise between their convictions and bowing down to the wicked world in which we live. They are falling victims to the endless attacks and pressure to conform to the world and the ways of man. They believe that everything is ok and that is just the ways of the world and the times in which we live. They are failing to understand that the devil is always trying to have us bow down and compromise our values and principles. He is cunning and will little by little pressure us to compromise our beliefs in small increments if we are not careful until we have fully surrendered and bowed down and compromised ourselves to sin.
However, for the truly dedicated Born-Again Christian, we understand that it is impossible to have both the acceptance of the world and the approval of our Lord and Savior. Jesus said, in Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters” James 4:4 says, “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”. Therefore, according to God’s Word, it is impossible for a True Born-Again Christian to conform to and enjoy the acceptance of the world and all its sinful pleasures while simultaneously enjoying the peace and assurance that come from a saving relationship with Jesus. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed”?
There needs to be a distinction between people of God and those that walk contrary to the Will and Word of God. Understand God is looking for the remnant that will not bow down, He is looking for those that will hold up a standard of holiness in an unholy world, that will walk the straight and narrow and remain a beacon of hope in a time of despair.
• Remnant: - A faithful minority or small group of people who remain devoted to God despite challenges.
The Remnant That Would Not Bow Down!
PRYAER
SCRIPTURE: - 1 Kings 19:18 “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”.
1 Kings 18:21 “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word”.
WATCH THIS: - 7000 which have not bowed unto Baal and hath not kissed him. The number “seven” symbolizes completeness and perfection. It is God’s perfect number. The number 7 is the foundation of God's word. It derives much of its meaning from being tied directly to creation and symbolizes completeness and perfection both physical and spiritual. 7000 is 7x1000 and 1000 represents the infinite nature of God, His millennial kingdom, the state of fullness, divine order, and God’s perfect plan for humanity’s salvation and redemption.
This 7000 remnant indicates a significant group that remains loyal to God and are dedicated to His Divine Plan. This remnant concept is crucial throughout Scripture, as seen in Romans 11:4-5 says, “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. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” here Paul references this passage to illustrate that God always preserves a faithful group a remnant.
What's significant about 7000 pairs of knees and 7000 mouths? The significance is not in what they did, but in what they did not do! They did not bow down to any of the heathen gods and their mouths did not kiss the image of the Baal 1 Kings 19:18. Notice it does not say that the 7000 believed in their hearts. No. They actively did not bow the knee or kiss the image. God is looking for evidence in our actions for the faith that is in our hearts to be exhibited in the actions we do.
Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” so we must understand that this is of utmost importance for us today.
BACKGROUND: - At this time in Israel's history it was not the in thing to be a believer in the Lord God. The nation of Israel had split into two separate countries one called Israel containing ten tribes and one called Judah containing two tribes. The Notorious King Ahab and wicked Queen Jezebel ruled Israel, and the country was given over to immorality and idolatry and unconscionable acts. We are told, in 1 Kings 16:33 “Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him”. Ahab was extremely ambitious and sought to expand his kingdom through both political alliances, military conquest and any means necessary. Ahab had a track record of blaming other people for the problems he caused. When he met Elijah after the seven-year drought, Ahab called him “the troubler of Israel,” and Elijah reminds Ahab that he is the one who troubled Israel by rejecting God 1 Kings 18:17-18. Ahab’s actions had a lasting effect on Israel religiously and politically. Religious prostitution accompanied the pagan worship of Baal and Asherah along with human sacrifices. Many true prophets had been openly murdered by Jezebel's forces. There was no public outcry by any group within the nation standing for holiness, righteousness or mercy – sounds eerily familiar. In fact, an individual's life would have been at risk had they spoken out against these corrupt conditions – much like what is happening today.
When everything seemed dark, corrupt, and utterly a time of confusion one voice cried out against this dark and sinful nature that was running rampant in the prophet Elijah who suddenly burst onto the scene with a dramatic announcement of judgment and a mighty Word from the Lord. He dared to speak out publicly against the moral and spiritual decay that had overran the country regardless of title, position, popularity, or consequences. He preached his fiery sermon of judgment and challenged King Ahab directly, speaking the truth.
Elijah fearlessly challenged the prophets of Baal into a major showdown between their false gods and the God of Israel. On Mount Carmel, in an awe-inspiring display of power, the Lord showed Himself to be unquestionably supreme over Baal and the pagan prophets. Elijah, on Mount Carmel, faced 850 false prophets in a life-or-death showdown over whose God would prevail. He simply called on the Lord, and a supernatural fire fell from heaven. The engulfing flame consumed both Elijah’s sacrifice and the 12 barrels of water he had poured over it. The false prophets trembled at the sight, and the backslidden Israelites who were present fell to their knees, crying, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God” 1 Kings 18:39. Elijah then slew every one of those 850 false prophets, which made Ahab’s wife Jezebel furious.
Shortly after he slew the false prophets before he came near the city, he was approached by a messenger from wicked Queen Jezebel. She threatened Elijah, 1 Kings 19:2 “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time”. She was telling Elijah, “You’ve got one day to live, prophet, before I slay you the way you slew my priests”.
Suddenly in Elijah’s mind, everything was messed up, things were in turmoil, he was worrying about tomorrow, fear gripped him, and he was uncertain what the future would bring. The Bible then says, 1 Kings 19:9 “And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah”. Elijah went to hide but God said, “What are you doing here” This was God’s way of saying, “What are you hiding for? What are you scared of? Don’t you understand I have it all under control? You don’t have to worry about tomorrow!
Elijah, like us, began to plead his case. 1 Kings 19:10 says, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life”.
God answered him, “You’re not alone, Elijah. 1 Kings 19:18 “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”. “I’ve got 7,000 hidden ones, Elijah, men and women who haven’t given in to the spirit of this age, who have not compromised their standards and are holding up the standard of holiness and are true to their beliefs. Among these 7000 were 100 true prophets hidden in caves by Obadiah who served in the evil King Ahab’s house.
These 7,000 represent the Holy remnant God is preparing today.
We are not told much about these 7000 individuals, we don’t know their names, but we understand their character, they were steadfast, strong, and determined. They were unknown to Elijah, but God knew them. They were in Israel not some other town or nation but right there amid all the corruption, turmoil, despair. We are limited in our understanding and knowledge of God and His ways. Yet God is not limited as we are. He understands our thoughts and knows exactly what we need and He understands all of our ways, and knows what we will say even before we say it. God knew of these 7,000 individuals even though Elijah did not. They were faithful to the Lord. The Lord indicated that they were His people. They had been faithful to Him by refusing to worship Baal, obeying the command they had been given in the Law of Moses to serve no other gods Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:14.
God also has a hidden remnant in this generation who have not bowed to the idols, the wicked twisted, and perverted systems of this world, who are holding up a standard of righteous in a contentious untoward vindictive society. Romans 11:5 says, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace”.
Unbeknown to Elijah it wasn’t Elijah’s prayers alone that brought down fire from heaven. It was also the cries of 7,000 hidden, prayer warring, God loving, Spirit filled, Truth loving, Standard bearing, Faithful People of God that were faithfully crying out fervently and without ceasing. They were people that were shut up in caves, hidden from sight, in secret closed doors and underground meetings, praying in fields, living among the city limits and some serving in Ahab’s house, the White house, in Congress and the Senate all unknown to everyone but God. They were and are faithful in their calling to intercede, and God heard and hears them for they are the Remnant.
Characteristics of the Remnant
A Steadfast, Unmovable, and Unchangeable Commitment to Hold on to Truth. Every remnant believer has made a single-minded choice to swim against the tide of evil and stand for Holiness not to conform to the whims and wishes of the status quo or bow down to the philosophies or attitudes of narcissism. They strive to be 1 Corinthians 15:58 “be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”.
The 7,000 remnant in Elijah’s day stayed true despite Israel’s great falling away. Their society had gone mad with sensuality. Many of their friends and family members had bowed and kissed the image of idolatry conforming to the current situations and desires. Despite the powerful seductions of conformity of the age, however, these 7,000 were able to stand against the tyranny that was running rampant. They endured shame, deprivation and persecution with no Bibles, preaching or fellowship with outsiders. Literally the more wicked and ungodly their society became, the more righteous they grew.
A Strong Willingness to Identify with those who were Forsaken. While society’s trend is to associate with the rich and successful, the remnant must align ourselves with the suffering class, those that are cast out, forsaken, and pushed aside. Like Obadiah, you may have a measure of success, prestige or stature. Although that godly man was a governor in Ahab’s house, he determined to fear God alone. He proved that his heart was with the NOT popular, NOT elite, but with those that were persecuted, forsaken, cast down. Like the song use to says: - I’m not as asking for high men to know my name but give me Lord a clean heart and I will follow thee. I just want to be pleasing in your sight.
We don’t have to strive to be accepted and approved by the elites of society or fit into the popular crowd but to be numbered among the saints when they go marching in.
A Determined Reliance on Hope. The essence of our Christian Walk is based in hope for hope is one of the greatest gifts God has given for that is what His promises are designed to do inspire - Hope. It gives us the ability to look at any situation and know that regardless of how it may appear God is going to come through victoriously. The 7,000 in Elijah’s time endured because of their hope in a coming day of deliverance. Our hope is built on Jesus Christ and Righteousness, and we have the blessed assurance of a foretaste of glory divine we are the Heir of salvation, purchase of God Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood. Ultimately the hope of our salvation is not just for this life but for the one to come. The reason we have this hope is because - Christ in us the Hope of Glory Colossians 1:27. This is the treasure we carry in our earthen vessel 2 Corinthians 4:7. We can hold onto this truth with confidence knowing the risen Christ dwells within our heart. Because of him, we have the hope of glory which we hold onto now and will become a reality for all eternity.
CLOSE: - We must be like the faithful Remnant
How do we respond in these trying times what are we willing to sacrifice to remain faithful to God. How do we stand when our beliefs are challenged or when the pressures to conform feels overwhelming will we bow down assimilating with the ways of the world or will we be a remnant holding on.
Amid a nation that had strayed from the Lord, the 7,000 represented a faithful remnant that remained steadfast despite what the rest of Israel did. We must remain faithful when most of society is going against God and following after and in the ways of idolatrous leaders.
God has always had a remnant that will stand for holiness amid a sinful generation and we must be that remnant today.
Noah was a Remnant - Genesis 6:5-8 says, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”. He was the remnant in a wicked and perverse generation.
Joshua determined that he and his house would serve God, even before he knew if the rest of the nation would decide to do the same Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.
Although left out of the Bible when it was Canonized after the Protestant Reformation the Book of Maccabees states that Mattathias, his son Judah Maccabee, and a group of people who refused to Bow Down to the Greek oppression stayed true and became a Remnant that set the precedent that living for God is worth dying for stated in 1 Maccabees 2:19-22 “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him and have chosen to obey his commandments, every one of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.” – truly a remnant in a roughly a 400-year gap between the final events recorded in the Old Testament and the coming of Jesus in the New Testament when there was no word of God preached at all called the intertestamental period or the years of silence, there were no prophetic writings, no direct revelation from God.
In Revelation 3:1-4 there is a remnant in the church of Sardis who walk worthy, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy” the Remnant.
Elijah thought he was all alone, but he was wrong, He was not the only one who had stayed true to the Lord. There were still 7000 faithful men and women in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal, nor kissed the pagan image of Baal.
These examples show us that we can be faithful no matter what others do. Are we like the 7,000 today? If we are part of the Lord’s faithful remnant, we will share the traits of The Remnant That Would Not Bow Down in this perverse generation.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
