The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation Romans II Series [11] Romans 11:25-36

GOD’S PLAN FOR ISRAEL’S FUTURE God’s rejection of Israel is not total (vs.1-10). Israel’s stumbling is not final (vs ). Mystery: Israel will be restored fully in the future (vs ). Doxology: To God be the glory for the great plan of salvation (vs ).

GOD’S PLAN FOR ISRAEL’S FUTURE God’s rejection of Israel is not total (vs.1-10). Israel’s stumbling is not final (vs ). Mystery: Israel will be restored fully in the future (vs ). Doxology: To God be the glory for the great plan of salvation (vs ).

MYSTERY: ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED FULLY IN THE FUTURE 1)What is this mystery? 25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And in this way all Israel will be saved (vs.25-26a)  The word, “mystery” in NT refers to “a truth previously unknown but now revealed by God”—it does NOT mean something obscure or unknowable.  The mystery is this: Israel’s hardening is only partial until the full number of the saved Gentiles has come in—after that, all Israel will be saved.

MYSTERY: ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED FULLY IN THE FUTURE 2)What does Paul mean by “All Israel will be saved”?  “Israel”: does NOT mean spiritual Israel (i.e., the Church) BUT ethnic Israel.  “All”: does NOT mean every single Israelite BUT Israel as a whole (i.e., the vast majority of Israelites).  “Saved”: does NOT mean national salvation from political oppression BUT salvation from sin through faith in Christ.

MYSTERY: ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED FULLY IN THE FUTURE 3)What does the Old Testament Scripture say about the mystery? "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." (vs.26b-27)  The Deliverer [= Messiah] will come from Zion [= Israel].  The Deliverer will banish ungodliness from Jacob [= Israel’s repentance from sins].  The Deliverer will make God’s covenant promises for the forgiveness of sins.  In summary, this mystery—namely, the full restoration of Israel—has been rooted in the Old Testament prophecies.

MYSTERY: ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED FULLY IN THE FUTURE 4)What are the grounds for Paul’s confidence in Israel’s future? 28As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (vs.28-32)

MYSTERY: ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED FULLY IN THE FUTURE 4)What are the grounds for Paul’s confidence in Israel’s future?  Ground #1 [GOD’S ELECTION]: God’s election is irrevocable—the Jews are God’s beloved [= chosen people] because of the promises made to their forefathers; even though the Jews are God’s enemies because of their hostility toward the gospel.  Ground #2 [GOD’S MERCY]: God’s mercy is shown to the disobedient—this mercy of God is revealed through the chain of blessing in the Jews-Gentiles-Jews-the whole world sequence.

MYSTERY: ISRAEL WILL BE RESTORED FULLY IN THE FUTURE 4)What are the grounds for Paul’s confidence in Israel’s future?  In summary, Paul’s confidence comes from unchanging God! It is God who by his sovereign election shows his mercy to everyone on equal footing of disobedience, through faith in Christ. Why? For the glory of God! But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22

DOXOLOGY: TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT PLAN OF SALVATION An Awestruck Exclamation: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (v.33)  This is a climax of Paul’s theology of God’s plan for Israel’s salvation (also for all)—his theology led him to this outburst of doxology.  The depth of the riches in God’s wisdom and knowledge is revealed in God’s plan of salvation—God’s mind and ways are untraceable and unexplainable!

DOXOLOGY: TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT PLAN OF SALVATION A Rhetorical Question: 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?" (vs.34-35)  Paul’s response to God’s plan of salvation is the awe and realization that NO ONE can really know God’s mind until it is revealed to us!  NO ONE can give him counsel and gift (obligation) to Sovereign Omniscient God!

DOXOLOGY: TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT PLAN OF SALVATION An Outburst of Praise: For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (v.36)  From him: God is the source of everything!  Through him: God is the means of everything!  To him: God is the goal of everything!  The ULTIMATE PURPOSE: To God and only to God be the glory forever. Amen!

Theology to Doxology Theology (our belief about God) and doxology (our worship of God) should never be separated. On the one hand, there can be no doxology without theology. It is not possible to worship an unknown god. All true worship is a response to the self-revelation of God in Christ and Scripture, and arises from our reflection on who he is and what he has done... Worship without theology is bound to degenerate into idolatry. Hence the indispensable place of Scripture in both public worship and private devotion. It is the Word of God which calls forth the worship of God. On the other hand, there should be no theology without doxology. There is something foundationally flawed about a purely academic interest in God. God is not an appropriate object for cool, critical, detached, scientific observation and evaluation. No, the true knowledge of God will always lead us to worship, as it did Paul. Our place is on our faces before him in adoration. - John Stott

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Build your confidence in UNCHANGING GOD.  Trusting that God’s election of you is irrevocable.  Trusting that God’s mercy never comes to an end! 2.Thank God for HIS MERCY FOR YOU.  You were in disobedience/sin without hope.  God’s mercy has been shown to you by grace! 3.Let your whole life be A DOXOLOGY!  Realize that your beliefs about God ought to lead you to your worship of God daily!  Live out your ultimate purpose—give glory of God through your life!

Doxology by Thom as Ken(1674) Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.