Quote:
Originally Posted by 1 God
Romans 11 concludes with God fulfilling His promise to the nation of Israel....
25 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.
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:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
And that is not speaking of Gentiles, but will happen when the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
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Absolutely right. Following the establishment of the church, the Christians were struggling with understanding the future and significance of Israel in God's plans. Paul reaffirmed to them that God's plans for Israel are not over, and that at a future point (Trib/Millennial Kingdom), His unconditional promises to them will be fulfilled. This passage helps us recognize the distinction between Israel and the church as specific entities in God's plan. Due to their rejection of their Messiah, God's plan for Israel has been paused as He instead introduced His plan for the church, a mystery hidden to the Old Testament audience. Although the Jews are temporarily "placed on the shelf", when the fulness of the Gentiles be saved, and God's time for the church is complete, the rapture will take place and God's time clock for Israel will again be restarted to conclude Daniel's 70th Week. It will take the horrors of the Great Tribulation in order to drive the Jews to repentance, which a remnant will do at the end of this time, prompting Christ's return to save them and pour out upon them the fountains of living water, Old Testament (and New Testament) idioms for the New Covenant or the Spirit outpouring. So, when we see clear OT prophecies of "all Israel" being saved, we know exactly when this refers to. It has nothing to do with the church, and everything to do with the Second Coming and establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.