“And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.'” Romans 11:26
October 23, 2023
The Middle East appears to be on the verge of a major war. Could Israel survive if Hezbollah rockets rain down on Israel with Iran’s full support? Hamas has already committed itself to the total destruction of Israel. Make no mistake about it, many in the Islamic world desire the elimination of the Jewish people. What is Israel’s future as a nation? We can be sure of this. Ethnic Israel will exist until the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, returns. In Romans 11:1 the question is asked, “has God rejected his people? By no means!” God is not through with the Jew. In a climactic statement it is stated that “all Israel will be saved.” Some say this is referring to an alleged “all (spiritual) Israel,” that is, all elect persons, both Jews and Gentiles. Such a hermeneutical slight of hand is a swing and a miss. Such an interpretation is contrary to the use of the word “Israel” in the Old and New Testament. Israel’s present state of unbelief and Gentile belief is not permanent. A word of hope is given. Israel’s future restoration is assured by the conversion of Israel. This is not saying every last Jew living at the time of Christ’s return. It is no more so than when a unfavorable call is made at a football game, and it is said all the stadium booed the ref’s call. Really? Every last one? No. “All Israel” refers to the totality of national Israel. In other words, the promise is made that the maximum number of Jews who will be saved out of that single generation living at the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ. It stands to reason for that to happen there have to be Jews living in the coming Great Tribulation (Zech. 13:8-14). The church has not replaced Israel in God’s redemptive plan. There is a hardening of Israel regarding her Messiah. The full number of Gentiles is being saved. God will do a new work in the future. There will be a redeemed Israel who will have believed on their Messiah and who enter Christ’s kingdom on earth. The present world crisis surrounding Israel is not the end of the story. God is working.
H
“There is not any promise anywhere of raising up a kingdom unto the Lord Jesus Christ in this world but it is either expressed, or clearly intimated, that the beginning of it must be with the Jews.” John Owen