Romans 11:25-26
The Fullness of the Gentiles, and All Israel Will be Saved
What is the “fullness of the Gentiles”? And how does it connect to what is happening in Genesis 48:19 when Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh? Does God have a plan A and a Plan B? Is God’s plan for Israel “on hold” during this “church age” until the time of the rapture, and then will come back into effect before the End? How has the teaching of Classic Dispensationalism influenced us to understand these verses about the End Times?
WATCH today as Ariel dives back into the Romans text and looks at what it says and what it doesn’t say—in context—focusing on verses 25 and 26 but also going back to what is being referenced in the Tenakh (OT).
Paul’s life reflects a pattern for what he is trying to communicate. One of the purposes of Paul writing this letter is to gather financial support in order to extend his Gospel mission to the farthest part of the Roman Empire in Spain. But his fundraising is moving in another direction at the same time: he is gathering material support to bring back to the believers in Jerusalem and sharing in the synagogues—part of his plan to “magnify his ministry” and provoke unbelieving Israel to jealousy. (Rom 11:11-15)
Paul is demonstrating through what he says and how he lives that God’s hands of blessing, like Jacobs’, are constantly going back and forth between the firstborn (Israel/Manasseh) and the nations/gentiles (Ephraim). God is looking for FULLNESS. He wants the gospel to go out to the nations and also for the remnant of Israel to grow and grow until all Israel is saved. These two aspects of His plan culminate at His coming. All the promises will come together in one grand moment. And we are moving toward that DAY!
Let’s grow in our understanding and move toward that day TOGETHER!
