Ultimately, this series is about the groundswell of support for something called Replacement Theology, which hods that the Church has replaced Israel and inherited the promises of God. It means that the Jews are no longer God’s Chosen People. And that God’s “everlasting” promises, were not….in the end….everlasting. In Part 1 we laid out the scriptural evidence that this was NOT TRUE. So, as we pointed out last week, this series is answering two questions:
- Do the ‘Jews’ continue to be God’s Chosen People? [And directly related to that….]
- Is the modern state of Israel a product of God’s Prophetic Word – or – is it the result of artificial human manipulation and therefore illegitimate?
Today we’ll look at what Paul had to say about this in his letter to the Romans. And next week we’ll concluded by revealing an amazing prophecy that points to the exact timing of the re-establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948.
First, we must point out what Paul is NOT saying. He is not saying that Jews are guaranteed a place in the Kingdom by their ethnicity. “For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[d] from God, not from people.” (Rom 2:28-29) (NLT) Paul’s argument continues in the beginning of the next chapter. Romans 3:1-4a – “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.” And if we look to Chapter 9, we find that the Apostle agrees with a key principle: Salvation is based on Faith NOT Ethnicity! But God has not abrogated His promises to the Nation of Israel. Chapter 11 clearly points out that ISRAEL IS NOT REJECTED!
“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed’” the knee to Baal.” 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:1-5)
Romans 11:7 explains. “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” We are however assured that salvation is coming to the Jewish nation. “Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.” (Romans 11:11-12) (NLT)
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob, For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.’” (Romans 11:25-27)
Paul’s argument is summed up at the end of Chapter 11. “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:28-29)
That settled, next time we’ll talk about the amazing prophecy confirming the timing of the re-establishment of Israel. You won’t want to miss it. God is amazing!
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