“Israel’s Future and the End Times” Romans 11:1-36 & Selected Cross Creek Community Church, Pastor Dave Martin – Sept 20, 2015

Introduction

I. God has not rejected Israel… Israel rejected God Romans 11:1, 5-6 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin… 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

I. God has not rejected Israel… Israel rejected God Deception, Transgression, Rejection, Consequences

Illustration of Elijah

II. God turns to the Gentiles… Jesus Builds His Church Romans 11:11-12 11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!

II. God turns to the Gentiles… Jesus Builds His Church Church birthed at Pentecost… Multitudes saved

II. God turns to the Gentiles… Jesus Builds His Church Church “completed” and all believers on earth raptured

III. God’s focus turns back to Israel… Seven years of Tribulation Romans 11:25-27 25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

III. God’s focus turns back to Israel… Seven years of Tribulation God draws human history to its conclusion (Dan 9:24-27)

III. God’s focus turns back to Israel… Seven years of Tribulation Cataclysmic judgments, Antichrist, persecution, death…

Zechariah 13:8-9 8 In the whole land," declares the Lord, "two- thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. 9 This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'"

IV. Jesus Returns “On that Day”… Sets up His Kingdom

IV. Jesus Returns “On that Day”… Sets up His Kingdom Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 13:6 6 If someone asks him, 'What are these wounds on your body?' he will answer, 'The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.'

IV. Jesus Returns “On that Day”… Sets up His Kingdom Zechariah 14:4 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem… 14:6-7 6 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. 7 It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light.

IV. Jesus Returns “On that Day”… Sets up His Kingdom Zechariah 14:20-21 20 On that day HOLY TO THE Lord will be inscribed … And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord Almighty.

What does this mean for me? BE READY! God exists… He’s in control… He’s coming again… Praise Him!

Romans 11:33-36 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" 35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

-- My Prayer -- Lord, change me! Lord, let me live in view of Christ’s return! Lord, give us a burden for people in our lives! Lord, use us to share the gospel with boldness and power!

Where will you spend eternity?