In the book of 1 Samuel we find this account of messenger bringing news of a battle between the army of the Israelites and the Philistines:
“Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”
As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.
Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.”
But she did not answer or pay attention. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” – 1 Samuel 4:17-22
That was Israel then. What about today’s evangelical church? Would this grieving wife cry “Ichabod” over her? Has the glory of the Lord left the church, or certain churches where. . .
- the gospel has been replaced with ‘moralistic therapeutic deism’?
- sin and the need for true repentance is not preached?
- people are told that their ‘decision’ causes their salvation?
- the sovereignty of God has been replaced with the sovereignty of man?
- transformed lives are the result human effort and not the power of the Holy Spirit?
- sound doctrine has been replaced with good advice?
- preachers of the whole counsel of God have been replaced with ‘life coaches’?
. . .and the list goes on and on and on. At least ask the question.
The Battle Cry 
A repeating theme in both Testaments seems to be this idea of a Remnant, where a small portion of the larger visible Church (called Israel in ancient times, now called the Church since Christ) always enjoyed “the glory of God” even in the midst of captivity, occupation, chains, etc.
And just as ancient in Israel, when the majority departed from the faith and followed after other gods, so today in the visible Church when the majority commits apostasy, abandons Biblical worship in favor of entertainment; gospel preaching in favor of “Purpose Drivel,” Christian discipline in favor of self-help psychology, etc.
God always preserves a remnant to Himself, even if they are driven out of our sight. Looking at the visible Church today, one familiar with the glory of God might say, “God has abandoned these people.” Yet in all times He has preserved a Remnant. Those “7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal” that even Elijah didn’t know about (but should have).
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I’d offer that the remnant is the ‘church’ that Christ is building.The remnant theme indeed courses through the entire Bible. One only has to read it’s text to recognize that theme.
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