Wedding Song - God Knew That I Needed You

Thursday, March 21, 2019

THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 11


I love this chapter of Scripture because it speaks specifically to the salvation of Israel.

The salvation of Israel is no longer taught in churches in America today – vineyard heresy and Biblical ignorance has taken root and spread like wildfire through church leadership and splinter groups. Many, many people are being led astray and are willingly allowing themselves to be spiritually brainwashed by the religion of self-worship and rock concert style ‘fellowship’.

That is a sad commentary to the times in which Christians now live: Christians are not welcome in the world or the church, which mimics the world so much it is hard to tell where the world lets off … or if it has been shaken off.

A church that preaches vineyard heresy will always announce that ‘God is done with Israel and the church has taken Israel’s place’. Obviously that mindset is in direct contradiction to today’s Scripture study …


THE BOOK OF ROMANS ~Chapter 11

Again, I ask had Elohim rejected His People? Elohei forbid! I, too, am an Israelite. I am a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. No, Elohim has not disowned His own People who He has chosen. Don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleaded with Elohim against Israel? “Adonai,” he said, “they have killed Your prophets and broken down Your altars. I alone am left and they seek to take my life.” But what did Elohim say to him in reply? “I still have 7000 men,” He said. “They are reserved for Myself and not one of them has bent a knee to Baal” (Kings 19:10).

It is this way today, too. A remnant has been saved, chosen by grace. So if it is by grace, then it is not all by works. Otherwise, grace would not be grace, for, in that case, works would not be works.

Now what? What Israel was seeking, they did not get. Only the chosen remnant got it, while the rest were hardened. Scripture also says, Elohei gave them an attitude of stupor, eyes that are blind and ears that are deaf, even to this day” (Isaiah 29:10).And David said, “Let their feasting be to them a snare, a trap, a stumbling block, and a punishment. Let their eyes be dimmed, so that they may not see, and keep their backs bent forever” (Psalm 69:22).

I ask, then, have they stumbled and fallen away entirely? May that never be! On the contrary, by their offense salvation has come to the Gentiles, too, so as to provoke the Jews to jealousy. And again, if their transgression has made the world richer and their defeat has made the Gentiles richer, how much more good would their full consecration do!

Now, I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. As an apostle to the Gentiles, I attach great importance to my ministry. Also, if in any way I can thereby awaken my own people to interest, at least some of them may be saved. True, their rejection has meant the reconciliation of the world, so what will their final acceptance mean, unless it be life from the dead? If the first part of the dough is made holy, then the whole lump is holy; and if the root of a tree is dedicated to holiness, then the branches are also holy.

Suppose, now, that some of the branches have been broken off and that you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in as one of them; then you have a share in the root and the fatness of that olive tree. So do not start to boast over against the other branches. Remember, if you should boast against them, then you do not support the root but the root supports you.

But rather say, “Some branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. Very well, they are broken off because of lack of faith. So you must not be proud; you ought rather to be fearful, for if Elohim did not spare the tree’s own natural branches, neither will He spare you. Carefully consider both Elohim’s kindness and severity. His severity is against those who fell away, and His kindness is towards you, but only so long as you continue in His grace; otherwise you, too, will be cut off. They also will be grafted back in again if they do not continue in their unbelief, for Elohim can graft them in again. You were taken from an olive tree, wild by nature; and contrary to nature, you were grafted upon a tame olive tree. How much easier it will be to graft the natural branches back into their parent olive tree.

Now, brethren, there is a mystery of which I do not want you to be ignorant, for otherwise you might think too highly of yourselves. It is this – a hardening has come upon Israel in part, and it will last until the full number of the Gentiles has been called in. So Israel will be saved, according to the Scripture prophecy, “The Saviour will come out of Zion. He will rid Jacob of his ungodliness. Yes, this will be My Covenant with them, when I take away their sins,” (Isaiah 59:20-21 & Jeremiah 31:33).

 As regards the Gospel, they are indeed considered the enemies of Elohim, on your account; but as regards election, they are still beloved on their fathers’ account. For the gifts and calling of Elohim are unchangeable.

You were once disobedient to Elohei, but now you have had mercy shown you because of their disobedience. Just as they, too, though now disobedient, may have mercy shown them because of the mercy shown you. For Elohim has reckoned that all men are disobedient, so that He may show mercy to all.

Oh, how inexhaustible are the riches of Elohei’s wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable are His judgements, and how untraceable are His ways! For who has ever known the thoughts of Adonai, and who has ever been His counselor? Or who was ever the first to give to Him in order to have Him pay back? For everything comes from Him – everything exists through Him; and everything exists for Him!

To Him be the glory forever! Amen.