GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHICH HE FOREKNEW
By John C. Carpenter
Concerning the nation of Israel, the Jews, the
apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome, I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed
of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of
Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars;
and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men,
who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election
of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more
grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained
it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see,
and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock,
and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. I say then, Have they
stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them
to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much
more their fulness? (Rom 11:1-12). The people who God the Father foreknew are the Jewish people, or, the nation of Israel. Today,
within and without the Christian church, there is much discussion, much confusion, much disagreement, and, as a result, much bitterness
and anger, regarding God the Father's attitude toward the Jews, and the future of the nation of Israel. Let us take a look at what
the scriptures have to say about this important topic.
GOD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BE A SPECIAL PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF
Many individuals
and groups have very strong feelings against the Jews and Israel. Many believe that the Jews are unloved, disinherited, insignificant,
hated, or even evil. Others believe they are cursed and doomed by God forever. However, if we believe the scriptures, we must recognize,
and accept, that Israel [the Jewish race] has been, is currently, and will always be, extremely special to God the Father, and that
they have not been rejected by God the Father. God chose the Jews to be a special people unto Himself, above all others, and a relationship
He promises to keep forever.
God the Father, Himself, said of the Jewish people. For thou art an holy [pure, sacred, saintly] people
unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special [as a jewel, a treasure] people unto himself, above all [selected
from all, set apart] people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye
were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep
the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house
of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deu 7:6-8).
God even esteemed the physical land of Israel as special. God
said, Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build
an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: But I have chosen Jerusalem,
that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel (2 Chron 6:5-6).
God the Father also describes
Israel as the very apple, or fountain [pleasure], of His eye (Zech 2:8). The psalmist exclaimed, Blessed is the nation whose God is
the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance (Psa 33:12).
Referring to the nation of Israel, and the
Jewish people, Paul wrote the church in Rome, I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself
were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen [my fellow Jews or Israelites] according to the flesh: Who are Israelites [the
adopted name of Jacob and all of his descendants, literal or figurative descendants of Israel]; to whom pertaineth the adoption [the
placing as a son or daughter], and the glory [dignity, honor, reputation], and the covenants [disposition, contract, covenant], andthe giving of the law [the legislation or institution of the Mosaic code], and the service of God [worship, divine service to render
religious homage], and the promises [the divine profession of assurances]; Whose are the fathers [parents], and of whom as concerning
the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever (Rom 9:2-5). According to God the Father, as spoken through Paul, the
Jews, the Israelites, and the nation of Israel were and are solely and intimately responsible for several things: they made adoption
by God the Father and admission into the Kingdom of God possible, they participate in as well as project the Glory of God, through
them the covenants of God were given, through them God the Father gave the Mosaic law, they worshiped God the Father, through them
God's profession of divine assurances were given, and they are the fathers of those of faith and those who profess a relationship
to God. The Jewish people are so highly prized and loved by God the Father He predestined that even salvation would be possible and
available only through the Jewish race, that is, through faith in Christ. As the apostle John clarified, salvation is of [originates
with, available only through] the Jews (John 4:22). You can't be more special that that.
IGNORANT OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Israel
has been and always will be God's great pleasure. But, being special, chosen, and blessed was not enough for Israel to be righteous
in God's view. Israel had, and currently has, weaknesses, pride, stubbornness, and rebellion against the ways of God. Within its own
strength and efforts, it has been determined to make itself righteous and pleasing to God the Father, an effort at which it has failed.
According
to scriptures, the nation of Israel [the Jews] not only stumbled over the appearance of Christ, but also refused to accept God's righteousness
by faith in Christ. Paul began his explanation to the church of believers in Rome, What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which
followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed
after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they [Israel] sought it not by faith,
but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone [occasion of apostasy] ; As it is written, Behold,
I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence [a trap stick, a snare, a cause of sin]: and whosoever believeth on him shall not
be ashamed [but Israel would not and has not yet believed in Christ] (Rom 9:30-33).
Paul further explained that Israel was not
only ignorant of God's requirement of righteousness, but refused to submit themselves to God and His righteousness: For I bear them
record that they have a zeal [fervid, earnest] of God, but not according to knowledge [discernment resulting in aknowledgement]. Forthey being ignorant of God's righteousness [through faith in Christ], and going about to establish their own righteousness [through
faith in the law], have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God [God's standard for righteousness]. For Christ is the
end [the fulfillment] of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of
the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise,
Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (Rom 10:2-6).
Paul explained
that salvation is the result of faith, and that faith occurs by hearing the preachers who are sent by God, and that hearing those
who are sent occurs because the preachers who are sent are sent through the speaking, operation and movement of the Holy Spirit (Greek:
Rhema) of God [Rom 10:6-17), which moves upon them [motivates and sends them] to preach. Paul concluded his comments by explaining
that God had reached out to Israel all day long, and that even though Israel had heard, they had continued to be unresponsive and
disobedient to God: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they [Israel] not heard? Yes
verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know [hear, understand,
and respond]? First Moses saith, I [God] will provoke you [Israel, the Jews] to jealousy by them [the Gentiles] that are no people,
and by a foolish nation [the Gentiles] I will anger you [Israel, the Jews]. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them [the
Gentiles] that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them [the Gentiles] that asked not after me [were not seeking God]. But to
Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (Rom 10:17-21). Paul added
that God the Father allowed Israel to continue in unbelief because He was hoping to use the faith of the Gentiles to anger Israel,
and provoke them to jealousy, hopefully bringing them to God the Father's righteousness by faith, resulting in salvation.
Christ
expressed His frustrations with Israel's unbelief with these words: O Jerusalem [Israel, the Jews], Jerusalem, which killest the prophets,
and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under
her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the
time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Luke 13:34-35).
Paul continued his discourse
about Israel. Paul later wrote, What then? Israel hath not obtained that [righteousness] which he seeketh for; but the election [those
chosen by God to have faith] hath obtained it, and the rest [all of those without faith, including Israel] were blinded (According
as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto
this day. And David saith, Let their [the Jews'] table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:Let their eyes be darkened [obscured, shady], that they may not see [perceive, understand, and take heed], and bow down their back
always (Rom 11:7-10).
The Jews, that is, Israel, have throughout history rejected Christ and the righteousness of God through
faith in Christ. Clearly, from the time of the advent of Christ until now, Israel has had what scriptures refer to as a spirit of
antichrist. The apostle John teaches us, Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every [human] spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ
is [has already] come in the flesh is of God: And every [human] spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh
is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now [at the time of Christ] already
is it in the world (1 John 4:2-3). The Jews rejected Christ's first appearance, and continue to this day to reject His first appearance.
But, God the Father has always loved, and still loves, the nation of Israel. According to the Holy Scriptures, God the Father is not
finished with Israel, and in God's time, God will cause their eyes to be opened and their ears to hear.
GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY
HIS PEOPLE WHICH HE FOREKNEW?
In spite of its specialty, and its fall, the nation of Israel, the Jews, as a people, have been
special to God, and will remain so. As throughout history, Israel has always played a key role in God's will and plans, and they will
continue to do so in the future. Paul bluntly explained that God is not finished with Israel. To the believers in Rome, the apostle
Paul explained God the Father's eternal attitude about Israel and its future by asking one simple question. Paul asked, I say then,Hath God cast away [rejected, put away, separated or departed from] his people? God forbid [to cause to be negated]. For I also am
an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people [the Jews, Israel] which he foreknew.
Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy
prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have
reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there
is a remnant [a remainder, some who have been selected and separated from the original group] according to the election [divinely
selected or chosen] of grace (Rom 11:1-5).
The apostle continued with his explanation: I say then, Have they [Israel, the Jews] stumbled [failed,
erred, sinned] that they should [permanently] fall [down completely]? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come
unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy. Now if the fall of them [the Jews] be the riches [gain, benefit, bestowment] of
the world, and the diminishing of them [Israel, the Jews] the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their [Israel's] fulness? For
I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of [sent by God to] the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may
provoke to emulation [provoke to jealousy] them [the Jews] which are my flesh [Paul was Jewish], and might save some of them. For
if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling [atonement and restoration] of the world, what shall the receiving of them
be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit [Christ] be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches [Jews]. And
if some of the branches [Jews] be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree [a Gentile], wert graffed in among them, and with
them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches [Israel, the Jews]. But if thou boast, thou
bearest [receive, sustain] not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches [Jews] were broken off, that I [we Gentiles] might
be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they [the Jews] were broken off, and thou standest by [because of your] faith. Be not highminded [arrogant], butfear [be alarmed, reverence]: For if God spared not the natural branches [the Jews], take heed lest he also spare not thee [Gentiles].Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his
goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they [the Jews] also, if they abide not still in unbelief [but come to God through
faith in Christ], shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them [the Jews] in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree
which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these [Jews], which be the
natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? (Rom 11:11-24). Some believe that God the Father has completely and permanently
rejected the Jews and the nation of Israel. Through the unbelief and subsequent fall of Israel, God has intentionally brought salvation
to the Gentiles, a salvation premeditated to provoke Israel to jealousy [to also come to faith in faith in Christ, and therefore salvation].
Paul further instructed Gentiles to avoid arrogantly boasting against the Jews, explaining that if God did not spare the Jews in their
sin and rebellion, God will certainly not spare the Gentiles in their sin. Paul clarifies that if Israel departs from and repents
of its unbelief in Christ, God the Father can and will graft them into their own olive tree, again. It is very important to note in
verse 23 that God the Father used the word again.
Paul summarizes his argument to the Roman believers with these words about
Israel: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [of salvation], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
that blindness [hardness, callousness, stubbornness] in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies [hateful,
hostile, adversary] for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling [and
covenants] of God are without repentance [immutable, irrevocable]. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained
mercy through their [Israels'] unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they [Israel] also may
obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all [both Jew and Gentile] in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all [if they repent
of their rejection of Christ] (Rom 11:25-32). Paul explains to the believers in Rome, and to us, that he would not have any of us
remain ignorant of the mystery of salvation available to both Jews [and Gentiles alike]. He continued that the the Jews have been
partially and momentarily blinded so that the Gentiles would have the opportunity to come to salvation through faith in Christ. Paul
eventually says that all of Israel shall be saved, because out of Israel shall come a Deliverer and Savior [Christ] who will eliminate
the ungodliness of Israel. God the Father clarifies that all of this will happen to Israel and the Jews because His gifts and calling
[and His covenants] of Israel are unchanging irrevocable. In God's timing and plan, the Jewish kingdom of God will again be centered
within physical and spiritual Israel.
THINE HOUSE AND THY KINGDOM SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOR EVER BEFORE THEE
God is clearly
not finished with Israel, According to the scriptures, the kingdom of God, without a doubt, will one day again be restored to, centered
in, and prominent in the physical land of Israel and among the Jews.
Speaking through the prophet Samuel, God the Father said,since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the
LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set
up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name,
and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will
chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took
it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall
be established for ever (2 Sam 7:11-16). Regarding Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, God also said through the prophet Zechariah, For
thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth
the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know
that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee,
saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of
thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy
land, and shall choose Jerusalem again (Zec 2:8-12). Zechariah later prophesied these words of God: And I will pour upon the house
of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me [Christ] whom
they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that
is in bitterness for his firstborn (Zec 12:10).
Scriptures also reveal to us the word that Isaiah, the son of Amos, saw concerning
the future of Judah and Jerusalem: And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established
in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and
say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and
we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among
the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light
of the LORD (Isa 2:2-5).
Isaiah also prophesied Christ and His government with no end: For unto us a child is born, unto us a
son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David,
and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the
LORD of hosts will perform this (Isa 9:6-7). Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD
that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have
chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my
blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses (Isa 44:1-4). Israel shall
be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end (Isa 45:17).
Later,
Isaiah prophesied regarding the future glory of Israel: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon
thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his
glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine
eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters
shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance
of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee,
the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth
the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee:
they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and
as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their
silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in
my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men
may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve
thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree,
and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them
that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet;
and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so
that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations (Isa 60:1-15).
The prophet Jeremiah
prophesied, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel
and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he
shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this
is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness (Jer 33:14-16).
Regarding the restoration [or resurrection]
of the kingdom to Israel, the Lord thy God spoke through the prophet Amos, In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that
is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they
may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. Behold, the
days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains
shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build
the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and
eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given
them, saith the LORD thy God (Amos 9:11-15).
According to the prophet Ezekiel, even the Jewish temple will be rebuilt (Isa 40:1-44-:31).
Zechariah added that worship in Jerusalem will be required of all by God, and those who refuse to do so will be punished: it shall
come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship
the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families
of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain (Zec 14:16-17).
References
to the restored Jewish kingdom of God may also be found in the new testament. In the book of Luke we see the following verses: And
the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall
give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall
be no end (Luke 1:30-33).
Speaking about the Jewish kingdom which He will head, Jesus told His disciples, Verily I say unto you,
That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon
twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Mat
19:28-29).
However, Jesus Christ, Himself, within His own words, gave possibly the clearest evidence that eventually the kingdom
will be restored to Israel: the lord Jesus explained to His apostles, When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the
seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Act 1:6-7). Within these words, even though the Lord explained to His disciples
that it was not possible for them to know the time or season of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus, by not denying that
the kingdom would eventually come, verifies to us that at some point God the Father would indeed restore the Kingdom of God to Israel.
Do
all of these verses, and all of this evidence, sound as if God the Father no longer loves Israel, is finished with Israel, and has
excluded the Jews from His eternal plans. Has God really completely and eternally cast away his people? As Paul exhorted, we must
conclude, God forbid.
ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED
Despite the fact that Israel has rebelled against God and His righteousness,
Israel was and is special to the heavenly Father, and the Jews and the kingdom of God will one day be fully restored to the land of
Israel. So, who will be included in this kingdom? The answer is clear: The Kingdom of God will contain all, Jew and Gentile alike,
who have faith [believe] resulting in righteousness. As Paul wrote, Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute [take an inventory
of] sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision [Jew] only, or upon the uncircumcision [Non-Jew, Greek, Gentile] also?
for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision?
Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which
he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness
might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in
the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised (Rom 4:8-12).
Paul taught the church in Colossae
that There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one [united
and connected] in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:28-29).
To the Colossian believers, Paul explained that the believer in Christ is a new person in which Christ is all and in all. Paul exhorted
the Colossian believers to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there
is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all (Col
3:11).
As is surprising to some, all of Israel [the Jews] shall be saved. Paul clarified this in his letter to the believers
in Rome. Paul wrote, For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [of Israel's salvation], lest ye should
be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel [the Jews], until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins (Rom 11:25-27). God made a covenant with Israel promising
that all Jews would be saved because God the Father would provide out of Sion the deliverer [Christ] who shall turn away all ungodliness
from Jacob. As Zechariah prophesied, And I [God] will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit
of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced [Christ], and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth
for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn (Zec 12:10). Zechariah continues,In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they
shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. And it shall come
to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live;
for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither
shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle
from my youth. And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded
in the house of my friends (Zec 13:1-6). In God's time, all of Israel will repent of its rejection of Christ, and all Israel shall
be saved.
As Paul taught, the true Jew is not the Jew who is circumcised outwardly [or who is of Jewish heritage], but the true
Jew is the one who is circumcised in heart. What is the biblical definition of a Jew? Paul provided us with this definition: For he
is not a Jew, which is one outwardly [physically, publicly, according to appearance]; neither is that circumcision [the rite, the
condition, or the people], which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly [private, concealed, hidden, inward];
and circumcision [the cutting off of the flesh] is that of the heart [thoughts or feelings], in the [performed by the Holy] spirit,
and not in the letter [of the law]; whose praise is not of men, but of God (Rom 2:28-29). The term Jew does not refer to specific
ethnicity, religion, appearance, or behavior, but refers to anyone in which the working of the Holy Spirit has caused the thoughts
and feelings [the heart] of the individual to cut off all excess spiritual flesh, that is, to reject and subordinate the fleshly tendencies
found within each of us, a spiritual and holy circumcision that results in the praise of God. As Paul wrote the church in Philippi,we [believers in Christ] are the circumcision, which worship God in the [via the operation of the Holy] spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in [and have circumcised] the flesh (Php 3:3).
The apostle Peter instructed Israel and the Jewish
race [and all of us], As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the [gospel] word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted
that the Lord is gracious [because God the Father has brought you to faith in Christ]. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed
indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in
Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe
he is precious: but unto them [Israel] which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of
the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto
also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew
forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people [of faith
and relationship to God], but are now the people of God: which had not [initially] obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (1
Peter 2:2-10). God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. God forbid. AMEN.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
“For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his
flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places
where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries,
and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of
the country”
(Ezekiel 34:11-13).
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city
a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me
of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet
because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me"
(Luke 18:1-5).
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified [found
by God not guilty, innocent] by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved
by his life”
(Romans 5:8-10).
