What Are The Remnant Epistles

By common mid Acts usage the remnant epistles are:

Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, First John, Second John, Third John, Jude, Revelation.

They are also called the Hebrew epistles or circumcision epistles because they align with the ministry of the apostles of the circumcision. See Galatians 2 verses 7 through 9, where James and Cephas and John are recognized as pillars to the circumcision, while Paul and Barnabas go to the heathen.

Who They Are Written To

These letters identify their audience with Israel’s markers.

• Hebrews is addressed to Hebrews. It constantly contrasts the old covenant with the new covenant promised to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. See Hebrews 8 verses 8 through 13 and Hebrews 10 verses 16 through 17.

• James opens, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. See James 1 verse 1.

• First Peter opens to the strangers scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, and calls them a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation. See First Peter 1 verse 1 and First Peter 2 verse 9.

• Second Peter is a second letter to the same people. See Second Peter 3 verse 1.

• First John warns that it is the last time and speaks of antichrist. See First John 2 verse 18.

• Second John and Third John are brief pastoral letters from the apostle John within that same circumcision ministry.

• Jude warns about the last time and contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints. See Jude 3 and Jude 18.

• Revelation shows things which must shortly come to pass and names Israel’s tribes as sealed servants, then ends with the New Jerusalem that bears Israel’s names. See Revelation 1 verse 1, Revelation 7 verses 4 through 8, Revelation 21 verses 12 through 14.

When They Operate Prophetically

These epistles look toward the last days of Israel’s program and the Lord’s return to establish the kingdom. Daniel calls it a time of trouble such as never was. Jeremiah calls it the time of Jacob’s trouble. The Lord calls it great tribulation. See Daniel 12 verse 1, Jeremiah 30 verse 7, Matthew 24 verse 21. Peter says salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. John says it is the last time and warns of antichrist. See First Peter 1 verse 5, First John 2 verse 18. Revelation details the seals, trumpets, and vials that precede the kingdom.

Doctrinal Markers That Prove Their Israel Focus

• New covenant language for the house of Israel and the house of Judah. See Hebrews 8 verses 8 through 13.

• Priestly identity for a nation on earth. See First Peter 2 verse 9 and Revelation 1 verse 6.

• Twelve tribes plainly named. See James 1 verse 1 and Revelation 7 verses 4 through 8.

• Endure to the end and last time warnings that match the Lord’s Olivet teaching. Compare Matthew 24 verse 13 with Hebrews 3 verse 6 and First Peter 1 verse 7.

• Signs and unction and confession patterns that match kingdom operations. See First John 2 verses 20 and 27, James 5 verses 14 through 16, Mark 16 verses 17 through 18.

• Earthly kingdom and city in view. See Revelation 20 verses 1 through 6 and Revelation 21 verses 1 through 3.

How They Differ From Paul’s Epistles

Paul’s letters, Romans through Philemon, were given by the risen Christ to reveal the mystery and to form, instruct, and mature the Body of Christ with a heavenly calling. See Ephesians 3 verses 1 through 9 and Colossians 1 verses 24 through 27. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places and are seated together in heavenly places in Christ. See Ephesians 1 verse 3 and Ephesians 2 verse 6. Paul never puts the Body into Israel’s new covenant city, and he never calls the Body a priestly nation. He calls us one new man and one body with a heavenly vocation. See Ephesians 2 verses 15 through 16 and Ephesians 4 verse 4.

Profit Without Confusion

All scripture is profitable. See Second Timothy 3 verse 16. Read the remnant epistles for comfort, warning, the fear of God, and a clearer grasp of the Lord’s faithfulness to His promises. Do not extract their program specific instructions as rules for the Body of Christ. Common examples of confusion include:

• Turning James 2 into a works requirement for justification today. James addresses the justified remnant proving a living faith in the kingdom program, while Paul teaches our justification is by faith without works on the merits of Christ’s blood. See Romans 3 verses 24 through 26 and Romans 4 verses 4 through 5.

• Making First John 1 verse 9 a daily forgiveness system to obtain pardon. In the Body of Christ forgiveness is a completed benefit through the blood of Christ. See Ephesians 1 verse 7 and Colossians 2 verse 13.

• Importing anointing and unction practices into the Body’s operation. Our sealing is by the Holy Spirit the moment we believe the gospel. See Ephesians 1 verses 13 through 14.

A Note About Hebrews And Authorship

Some think Paul wrote Hebrews. Others differ. Either way the audience and content keep it in Israel’s program. It expounds priesthood, sacrifices, sanctuary, covenants, and the promised new covenant to Israel. It urges that remnant to go on unto perfection under the better covenant mediated by Christ. See Hebrews 6 verse 1 and Hebrews 8 verses 6 through 13. That is not the mystery doctrine for the Body of Christ, even if Paul penned it as a separate ministry to Hebrews.

Where This Leaves Us Today

Today God saves Jews and Gentiles alike into one Body by the gospel of the grace of God. Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. See First Corinthians 15 verses 3 through 4. We are justified by faith in the blood of Christ, not by covenants or kingdom signs. See Romans 3 verses 24 through 26 and Ephesians 2 verses 8 through 9. Our hope is heavenly. Israel’s remnant hope is earthly in the kingdom and in the city that God has prepared. Keep the programs distinct and both sets of writings shine with perfect harmony.

In summary

The remnant epistles are Hebrews through Revelation. They are written to Israel’s believing remnant in view of the last days and the coming kingdom. They carry new covenant promises, priestly identity, and tribulation endurance for a nation that will dwell in the New Jerusalem. They are not the marching orders for the Body of Christ, whose doctrine, duty, and destiny are revealed in Paul’s epistles.