The Mystery of the Restoration of Israel
Romans 11:-12-36
In this lesson we are going to be looking at the one of the mysteries found in the writings of Paul. This mystery is all about a future restoration of Israel. Many teach that God is all through with Israel or that the church replaces Israel in the New Testament. Here we will look at what the Bible really has to say on the matter.
Stewards of the Mysteries of God: (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
This is a great verse for ministers to take note of because it calls us stewards of the mysteries of God. Also we see that the command in stewardship is that a man is to be faithful. If ministers of God had been faithful to these mysteries there would not be as many false teachings today.
Mystery of the Restoration of Israel: (Romans 11:12-36)
It is clear from this passage that God can and will restore the nation of Israel in the future. While the gentiles during the church age were graft in God plainly says that he will graft Israel in again if they abide not in unbelief. We must remember that this passage is not talking about individuals or individual salvation it is talking about God dealing with people on a national level.
The most apparent verse for the fact that the church does not replace Israel is verse 25. Note that blindness in part has only happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. If God was all through with Israel he would not have said until. Paul who gives us our Church Age doctrine understands this completely.
Three things to consider for showing that God will restore Israel:
1) Past Prophesies (Ezekiel 37:1-28 : Romans 11:15)
- Paul says that the receiving Israel again would be resurrection from the dead (verse 15)
- This is just what Ezekiel is prophesying about, a future resurrection of Israel from the dead. This is a literal resurrection, note David is resurrected in Ezekiel 11:24-25.
- This will take place at the end of the Tribulation and beginning of the Millennium.
2) Gifts of God (verse 29)
- After Paul tells us that all Israel will be saved (verse 26) he tells us the “gifts and calling of God re without repentance” (verse 29)
- God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are going to be fulfilled you can be sure.
3) Future Prophesies (Hebrews 8:7-13)
- Hebrews tells us that God is going to make a covenant with the whole house of Israel and Judah. This is literal because of the mentioning of both names. This has not happen yet.
- It is prophesied originally in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Note that it has not happened in when the book of Hebrews was written. This will also take place at the beginning of the Tribulation.