By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher
Text: Romans
11:25-36
Romans 11:25
Lest you be wise in
your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers:[a] a partial hardening has come upon
Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
(ESV)
In my younger years, I liked
reading Mysteries, mainly Sherlock Holmes mysteries. I found myself intrigued by
trying to solve the mystery based on the evidence gathered by Mr. Holmes. In Romans
11:25, the Apostle Paul speaks of a mystery, the mystery of the fullness of
the Gentiles. The text of Romans
11:25-36 provides an understanding of this mystery and how it impacts both
Jews and Gentiles.
A hardness of the heart
happened in Israel and opened a door of mercy through which God provides
salvation to the Gentiles (Romans
11:25). This hardness of the heart has the purpose of bringing Israel to Salvation
(Isaiah
59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 14:7; Romans 11:26-27). However, this
does not mean the Gentiles have replaced the Jews due to the Jew's rejection of
Jesus because the promises of God are irrevocable (Romans
11:28-29). The Jews and Gentiles both have a heritage of disobedience to
God with a merciful God providing a path of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles
(Romans
11:30-32).
The mystery of the time
of the Gentiles demonstrates the dept of the richness, wisdom, and knowledge of
God one can find in the Word of God. It also demonstrates the unsearchable judgments
and inscrutable ways of God (Romans
11:33). Paul then quotes Jeremiah
23:18, asking who has sought the counsel of God from His Word and listened
(Romans
11:34). Paul asks who has given a gift to God that could repay to God for
his gift of salvation (Job
41:1-11; Romans 11:35). Paul then gives glory to God for all things come
from and through God (Romans
11:36).
The mystery of the time
of the Gentiles involves a pause in God’s timeline with Israel. After the
destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 AD Israel ceased to exist as a nation
till 1948. During this period, the Church which began in Acts
2 spread the message of the Gospel throughout the world. This is what Paul
referred to as the time of the Gentiles, also known as the Church age. The fullness
of the time of the Gentiles will occur when Jesus catches up (raptures) those
believing in Jesus as their Savior to meet Him in the air (Revelation
4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). After this event, the Jews will experience a
time of great tribulation and after the desecration of the new Temple at the
mid-point of the tribulation period (Daniel
9:27) realize the Antichrist is not their Messiah. Those studying Eschatology,
or the end times believe many Jews will believe the desolator of the Temple
(The Antichrist) is their messiah only to discover the deception they fell for
after the desecration of the Temple. This will lead to national repentance by
Israel with God extending them His mercy.
The Church still exists in the time of the Gentiles with a
mission of spreading the message of the Gospel and making disciples for Christ
(Mark
16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). However, looking at the current state of
the world, it is not a stretch to believe the time of the Gentiles is nearing
an end (Luke
12:54-56). Therefore, the Church must have a sense of urgency,
taking the Gospel message of Salvation to as many people as possible before the
Church is caught up to meet the Lord. While Churches may have differing
interpretations of Scripture, they must unite around the mission of spreading
the Gospel and making disciples.
I now want to extend an invitation
to all reading this that have never asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, by
praying with me,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans
3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans
6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my
sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1
John 1:9). I believe you died, spent
three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord
of my life.
May God challenge and
bless everyone reading this post.
No comments:
Post a Comment