“…all Israel will be saved…” Romans 11:26

Having presented the reasonable, inspired sequence on the theology of election, Paul warned the first century Christians – and is warning us today – to not be conceited (v.25) by being ingrafted to the family of God. He explained that Israel has experienced a hardening of the heart “…until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” (v.25b-c) In other words, God’s economy of salvation is both purposeful and intentional. Just as there was a purpose for Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened (to set the Hebrew slaves free), so there is a purpose for the present state of Israel’s unbelief: for the heart of Gentiles to connect to the heart of God.

God breathed into the mind of Paul to write: “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’” (vv. 26 – 27; Isaiah 59:20-21) Was this just wishful thinking by Paul? Was he delusional? It was the Jews who had demanded the release of Barabbas, offering up Jesus in his place for a cruel death upon a cross (John 18:40). To understand this statement, all good students of The Word will interpret it from the original text, as well as investigating how it lines-up with the rest of scripture. Paul used the Greek word, “pas” (PAS), an adjective in the nominative singular form. It modifies “Israel”, and the singular form shows it to definitively speak about the entire nation. Does this mean the entire nation from the time of its calling? Or does it mean the entire nation when Christ returns?

Israel’s hardening as a nation is neither total nor final, being temporary. The end of this hardening will be after the full number of Gentiles has been redeemed (v.25) – and only God knows the value of that number. Actually, there is a fulness for both the Jew and the Gentile Believer (see 11:12 also). It is during this period of hardening from Israel that God has chosen to visit His grace upon all non-Jews (read Acts 15:12-14). Though individual Jews have come to know God’s saving grace, the overwhelming number of born-again Believers are Gentiles of every race, color and creed. Once this period is complete, God will visit the Hebrew nation once again. God’s timing is perfect, and waiting on Him to complete His “until” is both wise and faithful. Actually, there are other “until” verses that deserve inspection in your own Bible study time (read Matthew 23:32-39; Luke 21:24; and Psalm 110:1).

Paul’s reference to all Israel being saved echoes back to Isaiah’s prophesy (read Isaiah 59:20-21 and Isaiah 60). God always keeps His promises, and Paul recognized such by stating, “…God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” (v.29) Though Israel may appear hostile to the gospel (v.28a), when it comes to election, God’s love hasn’t changed; what He promised to Israel’s patriarchs still stands (v.28b). Warren Wiersby offers a reasonable explanation to this passage in the Roman letter:

“There are those who interpret this as meaning salvation to individuals through the gospel, but it is my conviction that the prophet has national conversion in mind. ‘All Israel will be saved’ does not mean that every Jew who has ever lived will be converted, but that the Jews living when the Redeemer returns will see Him, receive Him, and be saved.” (The Weirsby Bible Commentary, New Testament; p.440, col. 2, pp. 3, ll. 4 – 10)

A thorough reading of Zechariah will reveal a remarkable prophesy which supports Dr. Wiersby’s statement (To get a thorough perspective read chapters 12 and 13):

“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.” (Zechariah 12:10; caps and bold mine)

There is something to be said about one mourning over one’s own sins: first, that Godly sorrow leads to repentance, thus reaching the ear of God; secondly, that such mourning will lead to living more holy – having received the mercy of God, as well as His grace for personal transformation. I thank God for being the God of second chances… and for providing the power to change in both heart and volition.

Recognizing the disobedience of both Gentiles and Jews, Paul explained that God allowed such to demonstrate His mercy on them all (to the Jew first and also the Gentile; vv. 30 – 32). Based on these prophesies and Paul’s explanation, Believers have every reason to anticipate a great outpouring of God’s Spirit upon Jesus’ return! What a great day of rejoicing that will be! A day when all Israel will be saved!!!

Looking to that day! Have a blessed day today…