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.
