Ecclesiology
Introduction: Some thoughts on the New
Hope
and
Romans 11: The Future of the Jew, Not Cast
Away
Lesson XVI
Introduction
Lesson
XIV concluded with the major Scriptures relative to the New Hope of the
Church. The major passage being 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have
no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not
prevent them which are asleep.
(16) For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17) Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord.
(18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This
passage teaches two basic facts:
1) Those who have died in Christ will have a
bodily resurrection; and
2) Those who have not died when Christ comes to
the air will be translated to Heaven without dying.
None
of the Old Testament passages dealing with the Second Coming of Christ say
anything about a translation. The fact
of translation was a significant revelation.
The thought of translation, the blessed hope of Church Saints in this
age, had not been revealed before Paul.
Resurrection is taught in the Old Testament, but translation is not
except by type, i.e., Enoch and Elijah.
We
have not used the word “rapture” but it is still the best word to describe 1
Thessalonians 4:13-18. For those who
despise the word we suggest the word “removal” could be used.
There
is at this present time a militant action among Evangelicals to reject the word
“rapture”. We are not ignorant of the
fact that less and less people believe in this doctrine. Roman Catholics have never believed in a
Rapture. Modernist Churches of every
kind have never held this doctrine. And
we can add that religious cults have no place for such a doctrine.
I
quote from a paper received this week in our mail box:
“To
some, “rapture doctrine” was not and never will be a thrilling biblical
truth. In fact, it is the exact
opposite”.
The
time may soon come that only those who believe in the
doctrine of the rapture will truly be orthodox.
Does not Titus 2:12-13 teach us that the grace of God teaches us to look
for that blessed hope?
Titus 2:12-13
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
1 John 3:2-3
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not
yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall
be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth
himself, even as he is pure.
That
every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself…? So, as the Evangelical Churches turn more and
more against this teaching, we can expect the Church to become more and more
like the world.
A
current example from the Baptist Church News, Friday February 2nd,
2007. Baptist Churches will be closed in
Florida February 4th for the Super-bowl football game. They could stay open Sunday morning but no
one would come! This seems to be an
outstanding example of the prediction in 2 Timothy 3:4 “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.”
If
the Church is to be caught up into the air, that must teach that a resurrection
and translation will occur before Christ comes to earth. Scriptures elsewhere dealing with the Second
Coming reveal that there will be a resurrection also after Christ
returns. Revelation 20:4 is an example. Surely all the facts we have considered as
“new things for the Church” add up to a great difference between the Church and
The
Future of the Jew: Not Cast Away
Romans
11
Romans 10:21- 11:36
(21) But to
Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a
disobedient and gainsaying people.
(1) I say
then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of
the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin.
(2) God
hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture
saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
(3) Lord,
they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left
alone, and they seek my life.
(4) But
what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand
men, who have not bowed the knee [to the image] of Baal.
(5) Even so
then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of
grace.
(6) And if
by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But
if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(7) What
then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath
obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(8)
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes
that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
(9) And David saith, Let their table be made a
snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
(10) Let
their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
(11) I say
then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but [rather]
through their fall salvation is [come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them
to jealousy.
(12) Now if
the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the
riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
(13) For I
speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify
mine office:
(14) If by
any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save
some of them.
(15) For if
the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the
receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?
(16) For if
the firstfruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy,
so [are] the branches.
(17) And if
some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert
graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the
olive tree;
(18) Boast not against the branches. But if
thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
(19) Thou
wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
(20) Well;
because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
highminded, but fear:
(21) For if
God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
(22) Behold
therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but
toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also
shalt be cut off.
(23) And
they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is
able to graff them in again.
(24) For if
thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed
contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be
the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?
(25) For I
would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should
be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel,
until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
(26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it
is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob:
(27) For
this [is] my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
(28) As
concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the
election, [they are] beloved for the fathers' sakes.
(29) For
the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.
(30) For as
ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through
their unbelief:
(31) Even
so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may
obtain mercy.
(32) For
God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
(33) O the
depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are]
his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
(34) For
who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
(35) Or who
hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
(36) For of
him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for
ever. Amen.
Romans 10:21
“But to Israel He saith, All day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”
Romans 11:1
a. “Hath God cast away his people? Not His spiritual people, but natural National Israel, the Jewish Nation.
b. “God forbid”. Far be the thought.
Psalm 94:14
(14) For
the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
Psalm 94:14 “The Lord will not cast off His
people.”
c. “For I also am an Israelite - of Abraham - of Benjamin.” Nationally, an Israelite. My salvation proves Israel is not totally cast off.
Romans
11:2
a. “God hath not cast away His people.” A direct positive answer to the question.
b. “Which He foreknew”. Knew beforehand (Vincent)
c. “He before loved and had chosen” (Hodge)
d. “Esias” Hebrew ‘ah’ is never translated in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 12:39; 24:37; Luke 4:16,17).
Matthew
12:39
(39) But he
answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a
sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet
Jonas:
Matthew
24:37
(37) But as
the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Luke
4:16,17
(16) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom
was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
(17) And
there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias….
Romans
11:3
“They” repeated in the verse, refers to Israel Nationally.
Romans 11:4
“I reserved 7000” cf 1 Kings 19:18.
1 Kings 19:18
(18) Yet I
have left [me] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed
unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
The argument is: God did not cast them off in the past when they sinned. There was a remnant.
Revelation 14:1 speaks of the preservation of 144,000 in the future.
Revelation
14:1
(1) And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the
mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his
Father's name written in their foreheads.
Romans
11:5
a. “Even so at this present time also there is a remnant”
The Hebrews are an example. Hebrews 3:1
Hebrews 3:1
(1)
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
b. “An election of grace”, “chosen by the gift of grace” (Conybeare)
Grace that saved 7000 in Elijah’s day, too.
Romans
11:6
“And if by grace, then it is no more of works.” Two principles utterly opposed.
Galatians
2:15, 16, 21
(15) We
[who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
(16)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith
of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the
works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
(21) I do
not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then
Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians
4:21-23
(21) Tell
me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
(22) For it
is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a
freewoman.
(23) But he
[who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman
[was] by promise.
Galatians
5:18
(18) But if
ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
God has not kept a remnant of His people by
works but by grace. If God’s grace saved
a remnant in the past and present, why not in the future?
Romans 11:7
a. “
b. The election hath obtained. Individuals have ... the remnant has.
“Dispensationalism and Individualism is seen clearly in Romans 11. Nationally or dispensationally, Israel is ‘castaway’ to be received again. Individually, however, the gateway of God’s grace is always open regardless of the dispensational dealing so that Gentiles could be saved in Israel’s day (Rahab and Ruth), just as Paul could be saved in the Gentile’s day.”
c. “The rest were blinded unto this day.” That is, to the day of Grace. But note carefully the two kinds of Israelites. “The election” and “The rest.”
Romans 11:8-10
The blindness of the “rest” is a recompense unto them. Note: “them”, “they”, “their”, “them” “their”, “they and “their.”
In each case it is making reference to the “rest” of the Nation, not the election.
Romans 11:11
a. “Have they stumbled that they (the rest) should fall? Is the condition of the rest of the Nation final?
b. “God forbid”. The same answer as in verse 1.
c. “Rather through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles.”
Their fall is beneficial to Gentiles. Cf Acts 13:46; 28:28
Acts 13: 46
(46) Then
Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God
should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 28:28
(28) Be it
known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and [that] they will hear it.
d.
“To provoke them to
jealousy.” Their temporary fall is meant
to be beneficial to them, too.
Romans 11:12
a. “Now if the fall of them” Stumbling of them (Conybeare)
b. “Be the riches of the world.”...kosmos, mankind in general.
“dimishing”- lessening of their gain (Conybeare)
“Loss” (R.V.)
“Inferiority, a state worse than that of others, or worse than a former one.” (Hodge)
“Defeat, impoverishment, injury” (Vincent)
c. “The riches of the Gentiles”
“Gives wealth to Gentiles” (Conybeare)
Think of our riches because of the gospel!
d. “How much more their fullness?”
“If the rejection of the Jews has been the occasion of so much good, how much more may be expected from their restoration?” (Hodge)
“How much more their recovery.” “How much more their fullness of blessings.” (Hodge)
e. Luke 2:34 Did they fall? They shall rise again.
Luke 2:34
(34) And Simeon blessed them, and
said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the fall and rising
again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Romans
11:13-14
Verses 13 and 14 should be read together as if in a bracket.
a. “I speak to Gentiles.”
Here he is not addressing Gentile Christians, or the Church, but rather to Gentiles Nationally, as over against Jews Nationally.
b. “Apostle of the Gentiles”. Sent one to Gentiles Nationally.
Galatians
2:7-9
(7) But
contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed
unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter;
(8) (For he
that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the
same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
(9) And
when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace
that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of
fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the
circumcision.
Romans 15:8
(8) Now I
say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God,
to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers:
Romans
15:16
(16) That I
should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel
of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being
sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
c. “I magnify my office.”
Glorify my ministration. (Conybeare)
I glory, I honor my ministry. (Vincent)
Romans 11:14
a. “If by any means I may provoke to emulation.”
Provoke to jealousy as in verse 11 (Conybeare)
“In all he did to secure the salvation of the Gentiles, or to render his office successful, Paul has an eye to the salvation of the Jews.” (Hodge)
“He always acted under the influence of verse 11. He endeavored to bring good to Gentiles as a means of good to Jews.” (Hodge)
b. “Might save some of them.”
c. Paul acknowledges his limited success among them. There is no National salvation for Israel in this dispensation.
1 Corinthians 9:22
(22) To the weak became I as weak,
that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by
all means save some.
Romans 11:15
a.
“For if the casting away.” Loss as in Acts 27:22 (Vincent)
Acts 27:22
(22) And now I exhort you
to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of [any man's] life among you,
but of the ship.
b. “Be the reconciling of the world” ‘Thorough change’ (Young)
To exchange, the
change in relationship of God and men.
Through the fall of
c. “Receiving of them be” ‘Them’ National Israel. “gathering” (Conybeare) ‘restoration’ (Hodge)
d. “As life from the dead.”
Likened to a resurrection. See Ezekiel 37:11-12,21
Ezekiel 37:11-12,21
(11) Then he said unto me, Son of man, these
bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and
our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
(12) Therefore prophesy and say unto them,
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and
cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
(21) And say unto them, Thus saith
the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the
heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring
them into their own land:
If their fall brought blessing, their restoration will bring greater blessing. See Isaiah 11:6-12
Isaiah 11:6-12
(6) The wolf also shall dwell with
the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the
young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
(7) And the cow and the bear shall
feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw
like the ox.
(8) And the sucking child shall play
on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the
cockatrice' den.
(9) They shall not hurt nor destroy
in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the
LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
(10) And in that day there shall be
a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the
Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
(11) And it shall come to pass in
that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover
the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt,
and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from
Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
(12) And he shall set up an ensign
for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together
the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Romans
11:16-24, Paul illustrates.
Romans
11:16
a.
“Firstfruit” Note it is singular. Who is the firstfruit of them if not Abraham? Vincent refers to the patriarch.
b.
“Holy” Separated, set-apart (Young) Hallowed, set apart to God’s service
(Hodge) cf Matthew 7:5 ; 1 Corinthians
7:14
Matthew 7:5
(5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the
mote out of thy brother's eye.
1 Corinthians 7:14
(14) For the unbelieving husband is
sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband:
else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
c. “Lump also is holy”. “The whole body of people.” (Vincent)
“If the first of the dough be hallowed the whole mass is thereby
hallowed.” (Conybeare) Speaking of Israel.
d. “If the root--so also the branches.”
The same thought under another figure. (Vincent) The root being Abraham, the branches Abraham’s natural descendants.
What is the Olive tree?
a.
Not
b. Not the Church, for unbelieving Jews never were in the Church, and more, there is no cutting off from the Church.
c.
It is the place of promised
blessings on earth.
Romans
11:17
a. “if some of the branches were broken off from the Olive tree.”
This answers to Israel’s National “fall” and ‘casting off’ (verses 12 and 15). Nationally they are not in the place of promised blessings.
b. “ Thou”: Gentiles as in verse 13.
c. “Wild olive tree.” If the olive tree is the place of blessing, ‘wild tree’ is the place of no blessing.
Ephesians 2:12
(12) That at that time ye were
without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers
from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
d.
“Graffed in.” This has not to do with individual
salvation. Answering rather to the
“reconciling of the world” as in verse 15.
e. “Partakers of the root and fatness of the Olive tree.” Gentiles may now be partakers of Abraham’s promised blessings.
Genesis 12:3
(3) And I will bless them that bless
thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the
earth be blessed.
Galatians 2:13, 16
(13) And the other Jews dissembled
likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their
dissimulation.
(16) Knowing that a man is not
justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we
have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of
Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no
flesh be justified.
Romans
11:18
a. “boast not against the branches.” A warning to Gentiles in regard to their attitude toward the Jews.
b. “root bearest thee”. Abraham and his descendants are the channels of blessing to the Gentiles, not the reverse.
How little have the Gentiles acknowledged this. In this regard, think of the history of Rome, Spain, Hitler, Russia and England.
“The Gentiles are not authorized to infer that the Jews were rejected and they chosen on the ground of their being in themselves better than the Jews.” (Hodge)
Romans
11:19
a. “thou wilt say”... Gentiles will say. The “I” representative of Gentile.
Romans 11:20
a. “Well”. The answer to verse 19. “It is true.” (Conybeare) “Thou art right”(Vincent)
b. “Because of unbelief—broken off.” They were broken off because of National unbelief not by the importance of the Gentiles.
c. “Thou standest by faith”. Not as a Gentile. Not as being superior to a Jew, but solely by faith which is of God.
d. “Be not highminded but fear.” Remember, this is not dealing with individuals.
“Gentiles, therefore, will not be secure because they are Gentiles, anymore than Jews were safe being Jews.” (Hodge)
Romans
11:21
a. “Spared not the branches.” Refers to the subject of the chapter: National Israel.
b. “Take heed lest he spare not thee.” This can only mean the Gentiles. They have more reason to fear than did the Jews.
c. Again, remember, this is not an individual warning to a believer who is in the Church. No members need fear being cut off there.
Romans 11: 22
a. “Goodness and severity.”... “Goodness”; “sternness.” (Moule)
“Severity”: Look at Israel. For so long a Nation-less land and a land-less Nation.
“Goodness”: Look at the Gentiles, look at Canada.
Romans 2:24
(24) For
the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
b. “If thou continue.” This refers to Gentiles.
Has the goodness of God led Gentile Nations closer to God? Have they continued faithful? I think not!
c. “Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Gentiles have not continued to be thankful, therefore they too will be cut off from the place of blessing
Romans
11: 23
a. “They” : Israel.
b. “Abide not in unbelief—graffed in again”. Unbelief brought their cutting off. Its removal will bring their restoration.
c. “God is able—” “Mighty” (Vincent). In other words, God is able to remove their unbelief.
Romans
11:24
“Rather than it being impossible for God to restore Israel to a National place
of blessing it will be easier for Him to do that than it was to bring Gentiles
into the place of blessing. The
restoration of this people is far from being impossible.” (Hodge)
Romans 11:25.
a. “Brethren.” Note the change between verses 13-14 onward.
Paul has been speaking of Gentiles as opposed to Jews. Now he speaks to “brethren.”
b. “Ignorant of this mystery”
“This does not
mean something incomprehensible, but something hidden or previously unknown,
and which can only be discovered by revelation.
God’s purposes impossible to be known without revelation” (Moule). (cf.
Matthew 13:3-50; 1 Corinthians 15:52 ; Ephesians 3:1-11; Ephesians
c. “Lest ye should be wise in your own conceits”. In your own ideas.
Note: this is an ignorance that produces false wisdom. “Lest ye proudly imagine that your own ideas of the destiny of the Jews is correct” (Hodge)
d. “Blindness in part”. “Partial blindness, partial to extent and continuance.”(Hodge)
“The hardness is in part” (Newell)
e.
“
f. “Until”. It is not forever. The blindness is not full nor is it final. See Isaiah 32:13-15; Ezekiel 21:26,27; Daniel 7:21,22; Matthew 23:37-39; and Luke 21:24.
Isaiah 32:13-15
(13) Upon the land of my
people shall come up thorns [and] briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy [in]
the joyous city:
(14) Because the palaces
shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and
towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;
(15) Until the spirit be
poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the
fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Ezekiel 21:26-27
(26) Thus saith the Lord
GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this [shall] not [be] the same:
exalt [him that is] low, and abase [him that is] high.
(27) I will overturn,
overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no [more], until he come whose right it
is; and I will give it [him].
Daniel 7:21-22
(21) I beheld, and the
same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
(22) Until the Ancient of
days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time
came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Matthew 23:37-39
(37) O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen
gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!
(38) Behold, your house is
left unto you desolate.
(39) For I say unto you,
Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh
in the name of the Lord.
Luke 21:24
(24) And they shall fall
by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and
Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled.
g. “Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”. This will be when God grafts Israel in again to the place of promised blessings.
Remember there are promised troubles for Israel before they enjoy the promised blessings. “The times of the Gentiles” will end when Jerusalem is delivered from the hands of the Gentiles (Luke. 21:24). If the fullness of blessing for Israel is future (verse 12), then the fullness of blessing for Gentiles is now.
Romans 11:26
a. “And so all Israel.”
“To understand this great statement as a gradual in-bringing of individual Jews—does violence to it and the whole context. It can only mean the ultimate in-gathering of Israel as a Nation in contrast with the present remnant.” (Hodge)
“There lies hidden in the
future for the race of Israel, a critical period of over-whelming
blessings. We do not understand but we
believe, because it is written, the world shall see a spiritual miracle on a
scale unknown before—all
See Daniel 12:1; Isaiah 4:3; Zechariah 13:8,9
Daniel 12:1
(1) And at
that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the
children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people
shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Isaiah 4:3
(3) And it
shall come to pass, [that he that is] left in Zion, and [he that] remaineth in
Jerusalem, shall be called holy, [even] every one that is written among the
living in Jerusalem:
Zechariah 13:8-9
(8) And it
shall come to pass, [that] in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein
shall be cut off [and] die; but the third shall be left therein.
(9) And I will bring the
third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and
will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear
them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.
b. “Saved as
it is written.” Thus we must know
what is written in the Old Testament, not by the gospel, but by direct
revelation of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:16
(16)
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter
believe on him to life everlasting.
1 Timothy
1:16 Paul says he is an example.
Acts chapter 9, Paul was saved by seeing Christ on the road to Damascus.
1 Corinthians 15:8 He was born as one before the time; i.e., a premature baby!
2
Thessalonians 1:10 Note, “all them that believe in
that day.”
Remember at least four events in the future:
1. The Rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-18
2. The judgment upon the Nations. Matthew 25
3.
The deliverance of
4. What is written? “There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer”
Neither verse 26 nor verse 27 contain direct quotations from the Old Testament. Moule and Hodge are of the opinion that here we have the Holy Spirit’s commentary on at least two, if not more, Old Testament passages.
“The apostle, having drawn his illustrations of man’s sinfulness chiefly from Psalm 14 and Isaiah 59, now seems to combine the language of the same two places regarding Israel’s salvation.” (J. F. B.)
Psalm 14:7 “come out of Zion.”
Isaiah 59:20 “come to Zion”
Psalm 14:7
(7) Oh that
the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back
the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.
Isaiah
59:20
(20) And
the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in
Jacob, saith the LORD.
“Israel shall be saved, not by the gospel but by the Deliverer coming not now out of Bethlehem, as He once came, but out of Zion, not as a babe, but as King and Conquerer.” (F.W. Grant)
c. “The Deliverer” The goel, redeemer avenger. The same as in Job 19:25. (Vincent)
Job19:25
(25) For I know [that] my redeemer
liveth, and [tha]t he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:
Christ will be
both Redeemer and Avenger of Israel.
d.
“Turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
Again the Holy Spirit’s commentary on Isaiah 59:20. They shall turn from transgression (Isaiah)
because they shall be turned (re-read Romans 11 –26).
See Luke 19: 3, 10. He sought because the Son of man came to seek.
Luke 19:3,10
(3) And he
sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was
little of stature.
(10) For
the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
e. “Jacob” Unquestionably identifies the Israel of the same verse. Jacob refers to Israel after the flesh. See Numbers 24:17; Luke 1:33.
Numbers 24:17
(17) I shall see him, but not now: I
shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a
Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and
destroy all the children of Sheth.
Luke 1:33
(33) And he shall reign over the
house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Romans
11:27
a.
“My covenant.” This verse is not
a direct quotation from the Old Testament” (Hodge)
This clause occurs in Isaiah 59:21; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 37:26-28
Isaiah
59:21
(21) As for
me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon
thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy
mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's
seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Jeremiah 31:33
(33) But
this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After
those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write
it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Ezekiel.
37:26-28
(26)
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting
covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my
sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
(27) My
tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be
my people.
(28) And
the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary
shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
God will make in the future a new covenant with Israel. Hebrews 8:10. “This is the covenant I WILL make”.
Hebrews
8:10
(10) For
this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those
days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in
their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
“Though the conditions
were all met at the cross, the covenant is not yet made with Israel.” (Newell)
b.
“Unto them.” Unto Israel.
God has never made any covenants with Gentiles, nationally or
individually. The gospel is not a
covenant, but good news of the finished work of Christ.
Covenants belong to Israel (Romans 9:4;
Ephesians. 2:12).
Romans 9:4
(4) Who are
Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the
covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the
promises;
Ephesians.
2:12
(12) That
at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and
without God in the world:
c. “When I shall take away their sins.” Positionally this points to Calvary;
experientially to the Coming of Jesus Christ.
“The phrase may be from Isaiah 27:9 or the substance of Jeremiah chapter 23 & Isaiah 59:21.” (Hodge)
“The phrase may mean when I have punished their sins or when I have removed them. That God would restore the Jews after He had punished them for their iniquities or when He has converted them from their unbelief, Isaiah.4:4.” (Hodge)
Romans
11:28
a. “As concerning the gospel. they are enemies.” “In respect to the gospel they are God’s enemies for your sake.” (Conybeare)
As a Nation then, they will not be won by the preaching of the gospel.
b. “Touching the election, beloved for the father’s sake.” “In regard to God’s choice, they are His beloved for their fathers’ sake.” (Conybeare)
“Paul set forth clearly in Romans chapters 9,
10 and 11 what election is. Here he
illustrates it by the two sons of Abraham; the two sons of Isaac, the two great
leaders of
Romans 11:29
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” “Irrevocable are the gifts and call of God.” (Moule)
“ No change of purpose can annul God’s gifts and call.” (Conybeare)
“Gifts not subject to recall.” (Vincent)
“Having chosen the Jews, the purpose which He had in view in that choice can never be altered.” (Hodge.)
See Isaiah 66:22
Isaiah
66:22
(22) For as
the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,
saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Romans
11:30-31
These verses repeat the previous statement. “Formerly Gentiles were disbelieving, yet the unbelief of the Jews became the occasion of their obtaining mercy; so now though the Jews are disobedient, the mercy shown to the Gentiles is to be the means of their obtaining mercy.” (Hodge)
It seems that we Gentiles are to be to Israel an example of Divine mercy by which at last they will understandingly see the “heart of mercy” of their God.
See Luke 1:78.
Luke 1:78
(78) Through the tender mercy of our
God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Romans
11:32
a. “Concluded all in unbelief.” “God hath so dealt with Jews and Gentiles that both are on common ground.” (Hodge)
b. “Have mercy on all.” Both Jew and Gentile depend on sovereign mercy. If saved at all it is by grace. Let us not misuse the passage, as teaching the actual salvation, at the last, of all individuals. The context has to do rather with masses than persons. With Gentiles and Jews in their common characteristics rather than that of individuals.
Romans
11:33-36
What a conclusion!
“Oh the depth
of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.”
“His ways are past finding out.”
“Who hath known the mind of the Lord?”
“Who has been His counsellor?”
“For of Him, and through Him and to Him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen”