Since the days of Abraham the first Jew, God has preserved the Jewish people. The LORD has made sure that no matter how bad things get for the Jews, some Jews will survive. God has also made sure that no matter how bad Israel's disobedience was, and no matter how bad Israel's Adultery became, a remnant that remained faithful to God, still existed.
In the days of Elijah when Elijah himself thought he was the only one left that truly worshiped the God of Israel, God kept a remnant alive. "... I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (1 Kings 19:18). This biblical truth that God always keeps a faithful remnant alive allows Paul to link 1 Kings 19:18 from the Old Testament directly with Romans Chapter 11 from the New Testament. "In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice" (Romans 11:5).
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved (Romans 9:27 in reference to Isaiah 10:22). Isaiah prophesied that the southern kingdom of Judah would be conquered and scattered-temporarily rejected by God-because of her unbelief. Paul's point is that the scattering Isaiah described was only a preview of Israel's rejection of the Messiah and her subsequent destruction and scattering.(1)
Have you ever wondered about the huge numbers of Jewish people from all parts of the known world who attended the celebration of Pentecost (Shavuot) when the apostle Peter delivered his sermon? Scripture says 3,000 immediately believed on the risen Messiah whom Peter proclaimed (Acts 2:41). A short time later, "the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith" (6:7). The truth is, contrary to what many assume, there was never a time when all of Israel was in rebellion against God. A believing remnant, though often small, was always there.(2) There were lots of Jews who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Reference is made to them in such passages as Acts 4:4; 6:7; 14:1; 21:20.
There has always been a remnant of Messianic Jews since Jesus, starting with the disciples. This is a group God has always seemed to keep alive, so that they can be a living testimony to others, both Jews and Gentiles. This testimony includes not only the good news of the Gospel, but also the good news to other Jews that believing in our Jewish Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), is the most Jewish thing a Jew can do.
Some of the survivors of the Holocaust went on to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, some of which are now leading others to their Messiah, all guided by the master potter's hand. There is a video that has been made that contains Messianic Holocaust survivor stories. The link for this video produced by Jews for Jesus is http://store.jewsforjesus.org/ppp/product.php?prodid=210
Please read Holocaust Remembrance Day to learn more about how this tragic time is remembered.
The Remnant will continue to grow in numbers the closer we get to the return of the Messiah. There are now Jewish people coming to faith in their Messiah at record levels not seen since the early church began.
1). The MacArthur Study Bible (Nasb) p.1679.
2). Source: Israel My Glory May/June 2009 p. 9 (Elwood McQuaid) Friends Of Israel
