Romans 11

Friday, 25 October 2013

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;… Romans 11:26

Care and context need to be taken when considering Romans 11:26; care in interpretation of the word “all” in particular, and context as derived from the preceding verses. Without this, many have gone ahead making unfounded assumptions and claims. Paul has just revealed a mystery; a point which was not known until it was disclosed by him. That mystery was “that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

This is known to us now because Paul revealed it. Because we know this, and because we have 2000 years of church history behind us, we can make unfounded assumptions such as inserting the church, or a sect of the church, into this verse. But the context demands that Paul is speaking about the broken off branches which are Israel; the Jewish people.

Secondly, “all” does not always mean “all” in the ultimate sense. One of countless such examples is found in Mark 1:5 –

“Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.”

Twice in this verse, it says “all.” All from Judea and Jerusalem went out and were baptized by John the Baptist. Just imagine the lines! But in Luke 7:30 it says this –

“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”

So,,, not “all” were really baptized by John the Baptist. “All” meant something other than “every single person.” Instead, it was intended as hyperbole. It was given to show the magnificent number of people who heard and responded; the lines were long, but not everyone was in them. This type of wording is to be found throughout the Bible and on numerous occasions. Even with such words as “all” and “every” there must be a consideration of intent and of context.

Therefore, when Paul says, “And so all Israel will be saved…” it must be taken in such a light. He has already shown that “branches were broken off.” This state has continued for 2000 years. None of the broken off branches are saved. Nor are any which remain separated from the holy root at this time. Nor will those branches be saved which haven’t been re-grafted in during the tribulation period. “All Israel” is speaking of a specific time in the future. And Paul shows us when this will be in his citing of Isaiah 59:20 –

“‘The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ Says the Lord.”

After the time of the “fullness of the Gentiles” and upon completion of the “times of the Gentiles” Jesus will return to Israel and deliver them. Zechariah 12 details this and it is only speaking of Israel the people in Israel the land. The church was still a mystery at the time of Zechariah’s writings; a mystery not fully understood even at the time of the ascension of Christ. At that momentous event, we see the following discourse between the apostles and Jesus –

“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.'” Acts 1:6, 7

Even after their forty days of instruction from the Lord, the apostles were still thinking of and expecting the Kingdom Age when Christ would rule from Zion. This is a specific time which is detailed throughout the Old Testament, but is highlighted, for example, in passages such as Isaiah 2:2-4 –

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Jesus didn’t tell the apostles that they had misinterpreted those verses. Nor did He tell them that the church now assumed this role. They expected Israel to be the head of the nations and the law to go forth from her and Jesus didn’t correct them on this; it remained an unchanged tenet of their belief system. Instead of correcting them, Jesus merely told them to get about the business of spreading the gospel and leave times and dates to the Father.

The New Covenant, promised to Israel in Jeremiah 31:31, will be realized on a national scale at some point in the future, but there are still seven years allocated to Israel (see Daniel 9:24-27) before this occurs where they will live under law. All Israel will be saved in the sense that the nation will be delivered at Christ’s second coming. They will triumph over their enemies and the world will enter a new age and a new dispensation (see Revelation 19 for the exciting details).

Life application: When reading the Bible, context and intent must be considered. Proper application of these and other principles will ensure a right understanding of what God is doing in human history. Running ahead without such care can only lead to confusion and even heresy.

Lord God, what You speak stems from Your very being. There is no confusion between the two and there is nothing less important about what Your word says concerning You than there is about who You are. May my doctrine be pure and may I never fail to handle Your word with the minutest care and the awesome fear that it deserves. Thank You for Your word. Amen.

Thursday, 24 October 2013

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Romans 11:25

Once again Paul introduces his thought with “For…” This will be given to expand on what he said early about “how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?” The “natural branches” are the Jewish people. Verse 24 hinted that they will be brought back into the spiritual graces of God; verse 25 shows us this explicitly.

In order to convey this notion, he is going to use several key words to highlight the important nature of what is being relayed – “ignorant,” “mystery,” “wise,” “blindness,” and “fullness.” And so he begins with “For I do not desire…” this is an introduction to tell us that what he is about to say is important. He states it in the negative to highlight what he in fact does desire.

“Brethren” is declared to show us that this is a matter which is directed to the body of believers. It is this group, his “brethren” which he desires to impart this important knowledge to. As this is an epistle intended for the duration of the church age, Paul’s use of “brethren” then includes us, even to this day. It is not something which is fulfilled yet.

“That you should be ignorant” is a particular phrase that Paul uses to stress the importance of knowing, comprehending, and accepting a particular point. To see other such matters which Paul deems likewise important, refer to Romans 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:1 & 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13. In this case, we are asked to not be ignorant of a particular “mystery.”

In the New Testament, a “mystery” is something which was hidden in ages past, but is now revealed. Explaining a mystery doesn’t necessarily mean that it is yet fulfilled, such as in the case of this verse, but that it is disclosed to now understand what will someday come about. The rapture is an excellent example of such a mystery (see 1 Corinthians 15:51). Concerning the Jews, the Gentiles, the Church Age, and the Kingdom Age, Paul will now reveal this mystery.

Next he states the reason for the mystery’s disclosure – “lest you (meaning the gentiles) should be wise in your own opinion.” This is referring back to the overall thought of verses 19-24. We are not to be haughty over the Jews because we are wild branches grafted into the holy tree. They are natural branches. We can easily be broken off again; they can easily be grafted in again. Etc. Because of these things, we are not to be wise in our own opinion.

And the explanation for this is because “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” It is a lot of information, but the key word here is “until.” There is something future to the time of Paul’s writings, and even future to us now (as explained above concerning epistles intended for the church age) which is relevant to his discourse on the state of Jewish believers. “Blindness in part” shows us that it is only a portion of the whole. Be it a large portion or a small portion, there are exemptions. “Has happened…” explains that the blindness pertains to Israel in part and that it was in effect at the time of Paul’s letter; a time very early in the church age and even prior to the destruction of the temple and the dispersion of the Jews.

“Until” shows us that this blindness will continue unabated for a specific amount of time. When that time is reached, then the partial blindness of Israel will end. And that will come about when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” The fullness of the gentiles is speaking of a set duration of time and a set number of people.

God is building a temple, with people as “living stones” in that temple. An architect plans the construction of a building to the minutest detail: dimensions, amount of materials, placement of things, time until completion, etc. God, who is infinitely wise, has every aspect of His temple contemplated. When the set portion of gentiles are brought into the fold, there will be a removal of the blinders from the Jewish people.

The “fullness of the Gentiles” is not the same as the “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) although there is an overlapping of the two. The times of the Gentiles began when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, razed the temple, and exiled the Jews to Babylon. Since then, foreign powers have ruled over Jerusalem. This has continued until today. Even though Jerusalem is under Jewish control, the Temple Mount remains under the authority of the Muslims. And though a temple will again be built on the Temple Mount which will exist through the Tribulation Period (Revelation 11:1, 2), there will still be a defiling Gentile element to it. This is probably referring to the Al Aqsa Mosque which is there now and which may continue to stand side-by-side with the temple.

In contrast, the “fullness of the Gentiles” is speaking of the Church Age and the grafting in of Gentile believers. Although this technically began at Pentecost as is recorded in Acts 2, it actually started in Acts 8 with the Holy Spirit coming upon those in Samaria and in Acts 10 with the conversion of the household of Cornelius. It really picked up steam at the calling of Paul and with the introduction of His ministry. These key passages in Acts show the transition of the focus from the Jews to the Gentiles.

Life application: No, prophecy isn’t fulfilled and the church hasn’t replaced Israel.

Heavenly Father, I am so excited about the prospect of spending eternity with You. When I read the news, it’s usually bad. At times, I wake up feeling crummy. When I get tired, I get cranky. Yes, there is also fun, times when I feel great, and even good news once in a while, but I cannot wait for the day when there is just wonder and delight from moment to moment as I behold Your glory for all eternity. I just can’t wait for that day. Amen.

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Romans 11:24

Today we see an explanatory statement of the previous verse – “And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” Paul will now expand on this, giving insights into why this is so.

“For” will reveal how God is able to graft the Jews again into the spiritual root, and not only that, but that it is a more likely event than one might expect. Speaking to the gentiles, Paul says, “If you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature…” The natural way of grafting is exactly the opposite. Normally one takes a cultivated branch and grafts it into a wild root. The wild root will already be acclimated to its surroundings. It will be able to withstand the climatic conditions, any indigenous bugs and pests, etc. However, it’s fruit will be of a less quality, possibly of no value at all.

And so in order to have a tree which can withstand the contrary conditions and yet produce yummy fruit, the cultivated grafts are placed into the wild roots. Hence, you have the hardiness of the life-support and the yummyosity of the cultivated graft. The graft remains unchanged, despite its new surroundings. As Paul says, what occurred with the gentiles is that they “were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree…”

The wild graft, with its lesser-quality fruit is grafted into the higher quality root! This is a humbling thought when rightly considered. It is the Jew who originally…

Has the higher-quality root
Who also bears the yummier fruit

So much for boasting on the part of the gentiles! Because of their more noble origins and their ability to more readily accept their own root, “how much more will these, who are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

Paul is asking the gentiles to reflect on what occurred and how it was contrary to what they knew from nature. It is they, not the Jews, who were grafted in this contrary manner. If we readily understood and accepted the message and the spiritual nourishment of Christ, how much more will the Jews when God grafts them in!

This doesn’t mean, please understand, that God actively breaks off and grafts. God knows all things in advance, including the coming return of Israel to the life-giving root, but his foreknowledge isn’t necessarily causative in nature. He simply knows in advance what will occur and tells us of it before it comes about, asking us to pay attention to both the prophecy and then its fulfillment.

This is why it becomes so important for the church to open their eyes to the return of Israel to their homeland; to their reestablishment as a united people; and to the blossoming Messianic movement among the Jews. God’s plans are coming to their fulfillment and Israel, His natural branches, are being grafted in to His holy root. At some point, it will become a national movement and a cry for the return of the Lord. What the impetus for this will be is yet uncertain, but it is coming and it will usher in a time of unmatched wonder on earth. Coming soon to a millennial kingdom near you.

Life application: Israel! Pray for Israel and be willing to speak to the Jewish people about the wonder of Christ and how they are actually closer to Him than they realize. Read and know your Old Testament because it is the tie which you can use to connect them to the One who is its fulfillment.

Lord, I remember the first time I understood the message of Jesus in my heart. I remember that someone took the time to share this wondrous news with me and how it changed my life forever. If that person had stayed home and snacked on popcorn while watching TV, I might never have come to know You. Don’t I now need to follow suit? Help me to open my mouth and never shut it again concerning Jesus! Amen.

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Romans 11:23

Paul is in essence repeating himself in this verse. So far in verses 1 & 2, 11 & 12, and 15 he has indicated that Israel is not completely cut off. He is building on each thought and adding to it so that we can see what has happened and why. Today repeats the “why” of verse 20. The Jews as a whole (not all individuals) were broken off because of unbelief. Now we are told that this state of unbelief does not have to be final. “If they do not continue in unbelief…”

It has already been hinted that they won’t so continue (verse 12) and it will be explicitly stated in verses 25 through 27.

1) Being a part of the Olive tree is conditional on belief
2) The Jewish people as a whole failed to believe and were broken off
3) If they do not continue in unbelief (as is indicated that they won’t), they will be grafted in
4) Therefore, God will graft them in again because
5) God is able to graft them in again

This current state of unbelief is because of their pursuing the law as a means to the end. They will realize this as a faulty approach in the future. Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 3. Pursuing the law leaves a veil over the eyes of those who so pursue it, but “the veil is taken away in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14). Such is the work of the Spirit. It is life from the dead; even the long-dead branches which were broken off. God is able to bring them back to life and graft them again into His holy tree.

Life application: Nobody is so far from God that they cannot be brought to spiritual life. And a large part of our work here should be geared towards that premise. Prayer is something we can all participate in. Find the person that you dislike the most in your heart, if there is such a person, and make a concerted effort to pray for them. Christ died for them too.

Lord, You know that in the recesses of my heart there is bitterness towards some people. I don’t like them for my own petty reasons and I’m happy when they’re not around me, but yet I am convicted by this. I was once far from You and You drew me near. So Lord, today, I am praying for those that I am at odds with – for peace, for reconciliation, and for their coming to know Jesus. Thank You for hearing my prayers for them. Amen.

Monday, 21 October 2013

Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Romans 11:22

“Therefore” asks us to go back and consider the preceding verses. Paul spoke of branches being broken off and branches being grafted in. These things were explained so that we could understand what has happened and what could happen based on whether God’s people continue in Him or apart from Him. Based on his words, he states “Therefore….”

“Consider the goodness and severity of God.” We are asked to reflect on how God deals with man. He is good in His very being and longs to bestow that goodness upon us if we will but receive it. When we do, and when we continue in that goodness, then we are the objects of His favor and the recipients of His many graces. This is how it should be and how God would have it at all times. However, there is a contrast; it is the “severity of God.”

When we fail to remain in God’s goodness, then the opposite of His goodness is the result. This does not indicate any change in God who is unchanging in His being. Rather, this indicates a positional movement on our part. Imagine a fixed column. If we are in God’s good graces because of obedience we will be on one side of the column. If we fail to remain in that state, we move positionally to the other side of the fixed column. Thus, without change in God, we receive His severity because of our choice of failing to comply.

This is what was prophesied to Israel concerning obedience and disobedience, and this is what resulted from those states. Paul says now that we are no different. Though the spiritual banner has passed to the gentiles, can we expect different treatment from the God who does not change? Of course not! Instead, we can only expect the same treatment.

This is what we need to learn from Paul’s introduction – “Therefore, consider the goodness and severity of God…” At the same time, God’s attributes will be viewed differently by the different groups. During Israel’s time of punishment Paul explains, “on those who fell, severity.” They have received His judgment because they didn’t remain in God’s goodness. Contrasting that, he next speaks of what occurred toward the gentiles, “but toward you, goodness.”

Israel’s fall meant “riches for the world.” God’s goodness has been lavished upon the gentile peoples. His favor has been directed to a people who are not a people. But there is a caveat concerning our favored status which is “if you continue in His goodness.” Israel didn’t and they were cut off. The same then, based on the unchanging nature of God, must be true. Speaking to the gentiles, he notes that if they continue in His goodness, they will receive His goodness, “otherwise you will be cut off.”

If God’s chosen and beloved nation was cut off, especially considering that they are natural branches, then what should the wild branches expect? The same severity; an abrupt change in the situation as they are cut off from His goodness.

Having seen this train of thought, as summed up in this “therefore,” it should be evident now that this verse cannot be speaking of individual salvation. In other words, it is speaking on a “group” level, not an “individual” level. This is not a verse which is acceptable to support the erroneous view that one can lose their salvation. Everything must be taken in context or it is a pretext. Disregard any commentary which points to this verse as substantiation for the loss of salvation. If you are in Christ, your are saved – past, present, and future.

Life application: Always check the context of a verse carefully. Who is the thought being addressed to? What are the surrounding verses teaching? What is the overall message which is being conveyed? Can this verse stand alone or is it dependent on other verses to make a point? Etc. Keep these things in mind and may your doctrine be pure and undefiled.

Lord, You have given Your word to us, breathed out by Your Holy Spirit, to guide us, teach us, and testify to us the message of who You are, what You have done for us, and what is to come. I stand on Your word as the ultimate guide for my life, knowing that apart from it come the misguided devices of man. Thank You that I don’t have to guess what path to follow, but I have what I need as given by You. Thank You for your precious word. Amen.