Lesson 146

Romans Chapter Eleven

The Faithfulness of God

 Grace and the Future of Israel

 

This passage does not teach that the national promises to Israel have been abrogated and are now being fulfilled by the church.

 

 

While believing Gentiles share in the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:3b) as Abraham's spiritual children on the basis of faith (Gal. 3:8-9), they do not permanently replace Israel as the heirs of God's covenant promises.  

[Gen. 12:2-3; 15:18-21; 17:19-21; 22:15-18; 2 Sam 7:10-17].  Only given to Israel.

 

 

 

- Not only do you have a major difference in when the Lord returns but also a major difference in answering the question what happened to all the O.T. promises made to Israel which the prophets wrote about so prolifically.

 

 

Theologians today, when dealing with Israel, some say that Israel has a future.  Others say no, Israel has no future.

- have a future = premillennialist

- have no future = Amillennialist

 

 

- What is the Tie/thread that is common to both Israel and the church? What is it?

Salvation by faith; it is that by which Abraham is the father, the pattern for believers; in other words all are connected to the root the same way, by faith.

 

 

Conclusion

There are a few important truths are taught in this text which we should pull together in conclusion.

(1) Privileges and blessings bring greater responsibility, but they do not indicate superiority.

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Grace gives the believer a new perspective on failure and a new perspective on "success."

 

 

 

 

(3) The failures of men in the past are a warning to us in the present.

 

 

 

 

(4) Ones response to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ will determine whether they eternally enjoy His kindness or eternally endure His severity.

 

 

 

 

 

The goodness and severity of God can best be seen or illustrated by the two comings of our Lord.

 

 

Throughout all eternity, each one will either enjoy His kindness or endure His wrath.

The difference is determined by one's belief or unbelief in Christ.

 

Essentially our text at this point falls into two major divisions.

 

 We can thus summarize the structure in this way:

* Israel's future, as it relates to the Gentiles -- Verses 25-32

* Concluding praise in response to the wisdom and works of God -- Verses 33-36

 

God's Plan/Purpose re: ISRAEL'S Future  (11:25-32)

 

In 11:25-27  Israel's corporate stumbling, and unbelief, not only is temporary, not permanent, but is also called a mystery. musth,rion

 

 

- Paul wanted to make sure his readers, not just the Gentiles in general, but brethren, believers, were informed about the mystery concerning the relationship of Israel and the Gentiles in God's sovereign purpose.

 

 

What is the mystery referred to here??

 

The purpose then that Paul is expounding with this mystery is to prevent pride and to bring about humility on the part of the believing Gentile reader and by application all believers of the C/A.

 

 

Once they and by application us today grasp the message we will surely refrain from prideful attitudes, so much so that we in fact will bow down in worship the God of all grace. 11:33-36

In Paul's view, such conceit or arrogance is based upon ignorance and not knowledge.

 

 

In order to achieve this goal Israel's relationship as God's Chosen People was rescinded, set aside, for a time and Israel is now experiencing a hardening in part until the full number (pw,rwsij, "fullness") of  the Gentiles has come in.

 

 

The fullness of the Gentiles coincides with the Rapture of the Church.

- The phrase "times of the Gentiles" refers to the entire period of Gentile domination over the Jews, beginning with the Babylonian captivity (2 Chron. 36:1-21) and ending with Christ's return to earth to reign at the 2nd advent.  [Lk. 21:24]

 

 

The opening of vs:26 "and so" can be either temporal or correlative or in any times threads of both.

The temporal idea indicates sequence; see that quite clearly; v.25b-26a "that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles and then all Israel will be saved."

 

 

The correlative idea indicates "in this manner."

 

 

What is the purpose of the Tribulation? the time of Jacob's trouble?  the time of God's wrath poured out?

The judgment of Israel, during this time includes the removal of Jewish rebels (Ezek. 20:33-38).

 

 

Notice also that Christ's coming is associated not with Bethlehem, as in 1st Advent, but is associated with Zion, Jerusalem  -  therefore it refers to His Second Coming.

 

 

 

Following this judgment God will then remove godlessness and sins from the nation as He establishes His New Covenant with regenerate Israel (cf. Jer 31:33-34.   Ezek. 37)