One of the more irrational man-made traditions in the “Christian” church is replacement theology, where some teach that because Christ was rejected and killed by His people, the church has replaced Israel in the promises God made to Israel. The great reformist Martin Luther and much of Europe believed this as it was also the premise Hitler used to persecute the Jews. But the Bible is clear that the world’s focus returns to Israel after the church is extracted, and the Book of Revelation even numbers that a third will be spared and finally believe in their Messiah who returns to take them into the His millennial kingdom.
Romans 11:1–6
The Remnant of Israel
[1] I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” [4] But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [5] So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. [6] But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (ESV)
But within Romans 11 is a gem of a verse that casts an important light on the purpose of this creation and the meaning of life.
Romans 11:32
[32] For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (ESV)
God is looking for those that will recognize His goodness, righteousness and holiness as contrasted by this evil world system of which we are a part, as because of Adam, all are born into the federal headship and race of Adam, with a sinful human nature, consigned to disobedience. The Jews were chosen by God to be the recipient of His law that makes clear to humanity that we can not live up to God’s standard of righteousness, consigning us all to judgement and destruction. But all through out the Old Testament, salvation was by repentance and faith, trusting God over the inadequate human effort of trying to uphold the law, as we contrast our sinfulness against God’s holiness. For those of us that recognize our sinfulness before God, we appeal for His mercy and accept the final atoning sacrifice for sin, Christ, as we glorify and choose God over our own sinful desires, being adopted into the family of God through grace and God’s mercy. As human goodness and works to make one right with God are a delusion that will land many in the lake of fire at the second death.
And God also makes clear the offer is there for all. but contrasted above there is only ever a remnant that will humble themselves and receive God’s mercy. And even in the tribulation and persecution, only a third of the Jews will believe in their Messiah and be saved. But those that do humble themselves, repent and believe in Christ, are declared righteous before God, their name recorded in the Book of Life, and are removed from the race of Adam, placed into the race of Christ, their new federal head, the firstfruit of the resurrection, victor over death, to spend eternity with their Creator in their new heavenly bodies freed from sin.
What a tragedy that so many reject God’s mercy.
Romans 11
The Remnant of Israel
[1] I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” [4] But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [5] So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. [6] But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
[7] What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, [8] as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day.”
[9] And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
[10] let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
and bend their backs forever.”Gentiles Grafted In
[11] So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. [12] Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
[13] Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry [14] in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. [15] For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? [16] If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
[17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, [18] do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. [19] Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” [20] That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. [23] And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation
[25] Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. [26] 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”;
[27] “and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”[28] As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. [30] For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. [32] For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
[33] Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
[34] “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
[35] “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
[36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (ESV)