Today Israel is not enjoying their covenanted political status over the Gentiles and has fallen from their spiritual status before God.
This has led some to think that they will not be reestablished in their former position.
During Paul’s ministry the Romans knew that Israel was promised a kingdom where they would reign over the Gentiles. Christ had come, but Israel’s salvation had not. They began to doubt whether the promises to Israel would have any real effect.
This is far from the truth! Paul dispels this idea in chapters 9, 10, and 11 of Romans beginning with, “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.” – Romans 9:6
Perhaps they reasoned as Covenant theologians today that God had replaced Israel with the Gentile church and that the ‘eternal’ covenants made with Israel were indeed only temporary.
Also like Covenant theologians today these Romans needed a better understanding of the mystery information given to Paul.
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. “ – Romans 11:25
Some Romans may have thought that God had cast away Israel, his people, forever. – Romans 11:1
Contrarily Paul teaches that their blindness is only temporary and will only last “until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” – Romans 11:25
Just as natural branches will be graffed back into their own tree so “all Israel shall be saved: as it is written.” – Romans 11:26
Though Gentile salvation in this dispensation is a glorious manifestation of the grace of God, the fullness of times will be greater still.
“Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” – Romans 11:12
Article Index Published: July 11, 2008
Last Modified: May 13, 2016