Despite numerous passages prophesying the return of the Jews / Israel to the Land in the Last Days, many question the legitimacy of modern Israel. This is NOT to make the argument that Israel is a nation fully dedicated to God. In many ways they are rank failures. The LGBT movement is extremely strong in Israel. Tel Aviv seems to be the world capital.
The ferocity of their attack on Gaza has been questioned by many. [But remember that it is Hamas that purposely puts civilians, women and children in the way of attacks by placing their military assets at hospitals, schools and mosques. It makes for good PR. And Israel generally announces their attacks in advance….But Hamas does not allow the civilians to leave. A photo of a dead child is worth a lot to the leaders of the terror group.] But we are going to bypass the modern situation for now and look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about the ultimate fate of Israel.
Today we’ll begin to go deeper from a biblical perspective, seeking to see God’s point of view. Let’s start by looking at 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 [a]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.”
Paul goes on to make his case in the latter part of his letter to the Romans. Romans 11:1-5 – “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.” Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
So here’s the conundrum. Romans 11:7 – “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” This is answered in Romans 11:11-12. “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!” And then here is the kicker that seals the deal. That’s because it is directly addressing the situation of Israel and the Jewish people. Romans 11:28-31. “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. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.”
So, yes, they are in their present state enemies of the Gospel – rejecters of Jesus. Yet they are still beloved. This does not guarantee their salvation because of physical lineage. God’s promise is “irrevocable.” But you know what? I skipped ahead. Here is what Paul said in Romans 11:25-27. It is the promise for the End Times salvation of Israel. “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.’”
Yes, we can note that Israel returned as largely an agnostic or even atheist nation. That large portions of the population are opposed to the God’s will as laid out in the Scripture. That its’ government may be corrupt and its’ policies cruel….But the promise still remains. It is Jesus / Yeshua Himself that will take away their sins and restore them. That is the love of God at work.
Leave a Reply