Romans 11-The Remnant of Israel


Romans 11 
The Remnant of Israel
11 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin
NOTE: Paul is proof that God is still currently working with Elect Jews/Spiritual Israel.

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew (chosen by election-Romans 8:29). Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
NOTE: The proof that God did not reject Israel is Paul himself. He is proof of God’s patience and mercy (See Romans 9:1-5). Paul uses Elijah as an example to explain that there is a remnant within ethnic Israel. God never promised all of Ethnic Israel salvation. Why Ethnic Israel would be saved differently compared to the Gentiles? There is no reference to a future mass conversion for Ethnic Israel.
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written,
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
    eyes that would not see
    and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day.”
And David says,
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
    a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,
    and bend their backs forever.”
Gentiles Grafted In
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their(JEWS) trespass means riches for the world(GENTILES), and if their(JEWS) failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and THUS SAVE SOME OF THEM15 For if their(JEWS) rejection means the reconciliation of the world (Gentiles), what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 

NOTE: If the Gentiles were blessed due to Ethnic Israel’s rejection of Christ, how much more blessed the Gentiles will be when the Elect Jews comes to Christ?This is not a one-time future ethnic Israel revival. This started during Paul’s ministry and will continue progressively until the end of the age. Notice in verse 13 that it says saves some of them, not all of them. This is referring to a remnant. It’s not a National Jewish revival. Paul’s ministry is to move the Jews to jealousy about the Gentiles. This was and is currently happening otherwise why Paul would even mention “the effectiveness of his ministry.”

16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy(Abraham and the Patriarchs) , so is the whole lump(Israel consecrated as a nation), and if the root is holy, so are the branches.17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing rootof the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
NOTE: Nothing in the imagery of re-grafting suggests a delay in the incorporation of the elect Israelite. This is not suggesting that you can lose your salvation. This is stating that false converts were never part of the tree to begin with, but for imagery’s sake the branches that are snapped indicate the loss were never part of the tree.
The Mystery of Israel's Salvation
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (description in verse 16-24). 
NOTE: The completed number of the 'remnant' of ethnic-elect Israel is exactly identical to 'fullness' of Israel (Jew and Gentile-Elect).Although there is hardness on the Jews, there will always be a Jew saved in Christ (Romans 11:7). People will continue to be saved and lost throughout the Church age. If all of Ethnic Israel was saved hypothetically, that would mean the functions of sin/being loss would no longer apply to them; this means they were saved by their ethnicity, not grace/faith. This violates Galatians 3:28- There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
26 And in this way (BY THIS PATTERN OR MANNER THEY WILL BE SAVED- Not necessary all Israel will be saved), as it is written,
“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.”
28 As regards the gospel (focused on the Gentiles), they(JEWS) are enemies for your(GOD’S) sake. But as regards election, they(JEWS) are beloved for the sake of their forefathers(God’s Promise to the Patriarchs). 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (only to given to the elect). 30 For just as you(Gentiles) were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their(JEWS) disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may nowreceive mercy.32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
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?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.


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