Fullness of Israel (2) - The Promise

God’s promise to Israel is most clearly stated in Romans 11. Paul promises that although the Jews have stumbled, they did not fall beyond recovery (Rom 11:11). The time will come when Israel is reconciled to the Lord again.

As far as the gospel is concerned they are enemies on your account, but as far as election is concerned they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable (Rom 11:28,20).

Although the Jews became enemies of God by rejecting the gospel, their election is still sure for the sake of the patriarchs. Once God calls a people he does not change that calling (Is 54:10, Jer 31:37).

When the Fulfilment of Israel comes, the vast majority of Jews will come to believe in Jesus. By believing in him, they will move back over the green line into the place of blessing. Paul described this as being grafted back into the olive tree (Romans 11:22-24).

If they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again (Rom 11:23).

They have been shut out for a time, but will eventually come back under blessing of.

Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:25-26).

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable (Rom 11:28-29).

The church and Israel will become one in Jesus.

Salvation will come to the entire nation at the same time. Each individual will have to come to faith, but God will work things so that this happens to most of the nation at the same time. The entire nation will be touched by the Spirit during the same event. Just as the religious and political leaders rejected Jesus (representing their people), the religious and political leaders of Israel will believe and serve Jesus.

The restoration of the Jews is based on a promise of the book of Moses.

The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him (Deut 4:27-31).

Although Israel was dispersed among the nations, God was not breaking his covenant. Their dispersion was the fulfilment of the curses attached to the covenant, so when that punishment is complete, they can receive the blessings of the covenant again. The same warning and promise is given in Isaiah 51:17-23.