A) INTRODUCTION.

B) RECONCILING ROMANS 11:26.

C) THE NAIL IN ISRAEL’S COFFIN.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

Most theologians site this verse as being the ultimate proof text that will mean either one has to be a member of (Spiritual) Israel (See my Bible Study), or if Jewish, only salvation for the Israelites.  Here is Romans 11:26:  “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.”

 

What they tend to ignore is Romans 10:1:  “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”  Therefore, how can we, or can we, reconcile Romans 11:26?

 

 

B) RECONCILING ROMANS 11:26

 

 

That everyone in Israel will be saved would be an incorrect understanding of this verse, just as understanding incorrectly that the entire world will be saved in Psalm 22:27 or Psalm 72:17.

 

What people and theologians overlook is a portion of the text, “as it is written.”  What Paul is misquoting in respect to the assumed, “all Israel,” is found in Isaiah 59:20.  Let’s discover what Isaiah really states:  “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.”  Thus, only those of Israel (“Zion”) that repent (“turn from transgression”), shall be saved.  Never referring to an entire nation.

 

One thing we can be CERTAIN of with God -- His promises are ALWAYS conditional.  Please consider Jeremiah 18:9-10:  “And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.”  Thus, the claim that modern Israel’s restoration as a nation is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy, completely ignores this Bible principle of God’s promises being conditional.  Another outstanding section of verses that point this Biblical principle out is Leviticus, Chapter 26, Verses 14-39.

 

The most telling of all for the reason Israel as a nation is no longer in the eye of God is Luke 19:44:  “because thou [oh Israel] knewest not the time of thy [oh Israel] visitation.”  Therefore, since then, God has rejected them as a nation (Note, never as individuals).

 

Acts 13:46 is SO CLEAR that all need not speculate as to any other interpretation or meaning:  “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you [ISRAEL]:  but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”  This is saying that Israel’s probation period is over.

 

Paul presents a convincing argument in Philippians 3:4-5: “(4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh.  If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: (5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the Law, a Pharisee.”  Yet, the reason for his rationalizing with the Philippians, in regards to Israel, is not that he wishes for them to have been born Jewish, but that they might be, “born again,” and thus be grafted into “Spiritual Israel,” which is of infinitely more value.

 

Plus, Jesus clearly testifies that Israel, as a nation, is no longer in a salvational position, in Matthew 23:38 (quoting) and Luke 13:35:  “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”

 

 

C) THE NAIL IN ISRAEL’S COFFIN

 

 

According to Daniel 9:27, Israel would crucify their Messiah (see my Bible Commentary on Daniel 9:24-27).  If we understand what our Lord was referring to in Matthew 23:38 & Luke 13:35, i.e., the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, in that when Israel crucifies and rejects their Messiah, their house would be left unto them “desolate.”  In other words, the good news of the Gospel would be given (entrusted) to others; because Israel will be “cut off.”  Their time of probation prophesied by Daniel, is over.  This is confirmed as stated before, in Acts 13:46:  “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you [ISRAEL]:  but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

 

This is also represented in Matthew 21:19, in that the “fig tree” represents the “Nation of Israel” for not accepting their Messiah.  “And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever [How long is that?].  And presently the fig tree withered away.”

 

And according to Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; First Peter 2:7, the nation of Israel “rejected” their Messiah as their “Stone.”  And as such, Christ has rejected them.