Romans Part XXIX - Romans 11:25-36 - “Wise in our own Eyes”

FBC Canton - Sunday am - September 2, 2018 – Pastor Mike Roberson

Introduction: People who are wise in their own eyes are repulsive to God.

AND:

To spouses.

To children.

To coworkers.

To friends.

To everyone.

Ignorance of the greatness of God, encourages us to be wise in our own eyes.

In order to prevent that pride, God speaks mysteries and reveals them in time to His people.

A mystery in the Bible is an idea concealed that now is revealed. It is not a scandalous cover up as we

think of it today.

Mysteries in the Bible: I Corinthians 2:7, 4:1, 13:2, 14:1

From Chuck Missler’s Romans Commentary:

“For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but

unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh

mysteries.

I Corinthians 14:2

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,

which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

I Corinthians 2:7

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of

the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 4:1

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,

and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove

mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:2

The mystery we are looking at today is the mystery of the partial blindness of Israel and when that partial

blindness will be removed.

These mysteries should produce humility in us. Verse 25 says those very words; not to be wise in our

own eyes!

These are ideas that God knows that we only know as He reveals them to us in His written word. These

mysteries are not held by men, they are held by God.

They are beyond us, beyond our intellect and ability.

Let’s stand and read and pray humility and hunger for God to bring His plan for Israel into full completion.

It will happen…

I. In God’s Timing. v. 25

a. God’s timing: When Israel’s blindness will be removed. God who stands outside of time,

because He created time, knows when it is the right time to intervene again in our time.

i. Review: The Climactic “Until” from Chuck Missler’s Romans Commentary.

1. “Romans 11:25 is seen by some as one of the most important passages in the

Bible. The Future of Israel involves the Davidic Covenant—the Millennial Reign,

which affects us all. The “Until” of Romans 11:25 triggers the Harpazo and the

entire eschatological scenario. “Mystery” = a truth previously unrevealed (and

therefore unknown) which is now revealed and publicly proclaimed. There are

aspects in the Scripture that are deliberately hidden from the unbeliever.”

b. There are 12 Mysteries in the Bible: from Chuck Missler’s Romans Commentary

1. Mystery of the Kingdom of God. Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10

a. “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the

kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are

done in parables.” Mark 4:11

b. “And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom

of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and

hearing they might not understand.” Luke 8:10

2. Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 13:11

a. He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know

the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Matthew 13:11

3. Mystery of the Incarnation. I Timothy 3:16

a. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was

manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto

the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy

3:16

b. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and

unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the

acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians

2:2-3

c. Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of

utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Colossians 4:3

4. Mystery of Israel’s Interim Blindness. Romans 11:25

a. 25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,

lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is

happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

“Blindness,” pw,rwsij porosis: hardness: 1) the covering with a callus 2)

obtrusiveness of mental discernment, dull perception 3) The mind has

been blunted; stubbornness, obduracy. Differs from the verb skleruno

used of Pharaoh to speak of stubbornness (Rom 9:18). Page 200 Page 201

b. Israel’s blindness was declared by Christ (Lk 19:42) “...this thy day” (Lk

19:44): Jesus was holding them accountable to know (Dan 9:25). Their

blindness lasted only until the event in Romans 11:25. Why was the

Temple destroyed in a.d. 70? “...because thou knewest not the time of

thy visitation...” (Lk 19:44).

5. Mystery of Salvation by Faith. I Timothy 3:9

a. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Timothy 3:9

b. The classic verse is, of course, Ephesian 2:8-10: For by grace are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of

works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we

should walk in them.

6. Mystery of the Gentile Fellow heirs. Ephesians 3:3-6

a. This mystery will be alluded to in Session 23…Now to him that is of power

to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus

Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret

since the world began, Romans 16:25

b. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my

mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:19

c. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote

afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my

knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made

known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles

and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and

of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Ephesians 3:3-6

d. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which

from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all

things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and

powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold

wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:9-10

e. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which

is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man,

and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man

perfect in Christ Jesus: Colossians 1:26-28

7. Mystery of the Seven Churches. Revelation 1:20

a. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and

the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven

churches: and the seven lampstands which thou sawest are the seven

churches. Revelation 1:20

b. Seven Design Elements: Letters to Seven Churches

i. • Name of the Church

ii. • Title of Christ Chosen

iii. • Commendation

iv. • Concern

v. • Exhortation

vi. • Promise to the Overcomer

vii. • Close: “He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the

churches.”

c. The Seven Churches: “The Things That Are”

i. Why these seven? “He that hath an ear let him hear what the

Spirit says to the churches.”

d. Levels of Application

i. 1) Local: actual churches. Researched archaeologically by Sir Wm.

Ramsey...

ii. 2) Admonitory: “..churches”: all of them. Each message applies to

each, to some extent.

iii. 3) Homiletic: “He that hath an ear...” Applies to us.

iv. 4) Prophetic. In their particular order, they lay out the history of

the church. [They fill the gap Prophetic. In their particular order,

they lay out the history of the church. [They fill the gap implied in

Daniel 9:26, and between Rev 12:5 and 6, etc.]

8. Mystery of the Rapture. I Corinthians 15:51-52

a. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be

changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for

the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and

we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“...twinkling of an eye” = the amount of time it takes for light to

pass through the retina: ~10-43 seconds, planck time, the shortest

existing interval of time.

b. Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In

my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told

you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for

you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,

there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

c. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them

which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which

sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the

word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of

the Lord shall not [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord himself

shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,

and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we

which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-

18

d. a`rpa,zw harpazo: to snatch away; to seize, carry off by force; to claim for

one’s self eagerly.

Rapture Models in OT

• Noah’s flood: Three groups of people:

i. 1) Those that perished in the judgment.

ii. 2) Noah’s Ark, preserved through judgment.

iii. 3) Enoch’s translation before promised judgment .

• Lot’s deliverance from Sodom prior to judgment.

iv. – Abraham’s negotiations (Gen 18:23ff) and

v. – Lot’s departure was a prerequisite condition (Gen 19:22).

vi. • Daniel’s fiery furnace: Daniel 3 (Where was Daniel?).

vii. • Ruth at Boaz’s feet during the threshing floor (Ruth 3).

A Rapture Hint in the OT?

viii. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they

arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the

dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my

people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about

thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the

indignation be over past. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his

place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the

earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her

slain. Isaiah 26:19-21

ix. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his

judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall

be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. Zephaniah 2:3

9. Mystery of the Bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:31-32; II Corinthians 5:10

a. The “Body of Christ” • One body, many members (Rom 12:4,5; 1 Cor.

10:17; 12:12; Eph. 2:16; 3:6; 4:4; 5:23; Col 1:18). • Complete at the

Harpazo—both dead and alive join Christ in unity (Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Thess.

4:16, 17; Cf. Eph. 5:31-32; Rev 12:5).

i. There is no partial rapture.

b. Mystery of the Bride of Christ

i. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that

every one may receive the things done in his body, according to

that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

ii. Paul will also allude to later in this epistle (Romans 14:10).

iii. Bema Seat: (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15): 1) a step, pace, the

space which a foot covers, a foot-breath; 2) a raised place

mounted by steps; a platform, tribune ; of the official seat of a

judge; of the judgment seat of Christ

• Rewards Colossians 3:23,24

• Pilate judging Christ Matthew 27:19

• Herod (smitten by worms) Acts 12:21

• Gallio sentencing Paul Acts 18:16, 17

• Festus: trial, sentencing Acts 25:6, 10, 17

• Judgment Seat of Christ Romans 14:10

c. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus

Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious

stones; wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for

the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire

shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s

work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:11-16

Rewards for Faithfulness

• Some entrusted with special privileges; some not (1 Cor. 3:11-

15).

• Some reign with Christ; some not (2 Tim 2:12; Rev 3:21).

• Some rich; some poor (Lk 12:21, 33; 16:11).

• Some heavenly treasures of their own; some not (Lk 16:12). But

I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any

means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a

castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:27

The Bride of Christ

A selection taken out of His Body (the most intimate subset of the Body):

Eve taken out of Adam (Gen 2:21-23); Eleazar’s selection of Isaac’s bride

from among his own people (Gen 24:4).

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage

of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to

her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean

and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he

saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the

marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the

true sayings of God. Revelation 19:79

Wedding Preparations

“Wash…anoint thee…put thy raiment upon thee…” (Ruth 3:3).

– “Wash” (Eph. 5:25,26 ;1 Jn. 1:9).

– “Anoint”: extra oil (5 virgins only).

Holy Spirit given in response to obedience: Rebekah, alighted and put her

veil upon herself (Gen 24:64, 65).

Preparation: Arrayed herself with righteous acts (Rev. 19:7,8):

– We are to keep our own garments (Rev 16:15; 1 Jn. 2:28; Titus 3:8; 2 Jn.

1:8).

– Wedding garments are expensive (Rev 3:18; Rom 12:1,2).

– Only the selected may attend (Mt 22:1-14).

10. Mystery of Iniquity. II Thessalonians 2:7-8

a. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth

will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked One

be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8

11. Mystery Babylon. Revelation 17:5-7

a. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE

GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the

blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great

admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I

will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth

her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. Revelation 17:5-7

12. Mystery of the Consummation. Ephesians 1:9-10

a. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good

pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of

the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ,

both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians

1:9-10

i. The great predicament in the Cosmos is that there is more than

one will in the Universe. Sin started with Satan and an alternative

will; that’s what man inherited, a selfish will.

b. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are

put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things

under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the

Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that

God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:27, 28

c. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly

places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the

exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ

Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

d. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to

sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his

servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7

c. God’s timing: When the full number of the Gentiles will be saved.

i. God has a specific number!

1. That means God cannot lose any current believer otherwise the counter would

have to be reset over and over again!

2. When the number is reached it will trigger the 70th week of Daniel, and the

blindness of Israel will be removed.

3. We are waiting for you to believe so the believers can be raptured.

a. So hurry!

4. You do not want to be here after the harpazo. You will want to be with Jesus!

a. Believe in him today!

ii. A Provocative Conjecture

The “fullness” indicates a specific number for completion. Satan must

know that such a specific number exists. For 2000 years he has been

in shock treatment: every time someone puts their trust in Christ, the

divine counter increments by one. And each time, Satan doesn’t know

whether that increment renders it “full” and the Father says to the Son,

“Go get them.” Are you the one holding us all up?

“Come in”: where? This closes the interval predicted in Daniel 9:26: Chuck Missler

Romans Commentary.

iii.

iv. 1. Slides from Chuck Missler Romans Commentary Session 17

II. According to God’s Promises. vs. 26-28

a. God will save His People.

i. After “the fullness of the Gentiles” the partial hardening of Israel will be removed and

“all Israel will be saved,” that is, “delivered” (in the OT “saved” often means “delivered”)

from the terrible Tribulation by the Messiah, “the Deliverer.” To confirm this, Paul

quoted from Isaiah 59:20-21 and 27:9. The statement, “All Israel will be saved” does not

mean that every Jew living at Christ’s return will be regenerated. Many of them will not

be saved, as seen by the fact that the judgment of Israel, to follow soon after the Lord’s

return, will include the removal of Jewish rebels (Ezek. 20:34- 38). National Israel: 75

ref’s in 73 verses...” Chuck Missler Romans Commentary.

ii. “All Israel will be saved” does not mean that every Jew that has ever lived will be

converted, but that the Jews living when the Redeemer returns will see Him, receive

Him and be saved. Zechariah 12-14 give the details. It seems to me that there are too

many details in the OT prophecies of national restoration for Israel for us to spiritualize

them and apply them to the church today.” Warren Weirsbe, Commentary on Romans.

b. God will honor His Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34

i. The New Covenant. Following this judgment God will then remove godlessness and sins

from the nation as He establishes His New Covenant with regenerate Israel (cf. Jer

31:33-34). Chuck Missler Romans Commentary.

1. 31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant

with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the

covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand

to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I

was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make

with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their

minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My

people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his

brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of

them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and

their sin I will remember no more.”

ii. III. By the Authority of God’s Nature. vs. 29-32

a. He does not change. v. 29

i. “God’s gifts to Israel, and God’s calling of Israel cannot be taken back or changed, or

God would cease to be true to His own perfect nature. The fact that Israel may not enjoy

her gifts, or live up to her privileges as an elect nation, does not affect this fact one bit.

God will be consistent with Himself and true to His Word no matter what men may do.”

Warren Wiersbe, Romans Commentary. P. 552-3.

ii. b. He extends mercy to all. vs. 30-32

i. Mercy to the Gentiles. v. 30

ii. Mercy to Israel. v. 31

iii. Mercy over all. v. 32

1. 2. Before Christ we are all sinners who face God’s wrath for our sins, after Christ we

have the wrath removed by the mercies of God!

3. Mercy is available to all, but not automatic to any.

4. Chuck Missler Romans Commentary: 32] For God hath concluded them all in

unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. “Concluded”: to shut up together,

enclose (of a shoal of fishes in a net); to shut up on all sides, shut up completely.

God’s ultimate purpose is to have mercy on...all. To do so justly God has

“enclosed, shut in on all sides” all men over to disobedience. “All have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). “Jews and Gentiles alike are all

under sin” (Rom 3:9), so that “there is no difference” (Rom 3:22). When the

Gentiles rejected God and disobeyed Him (Rom 1:17-21), God chose Abraham

and his descendants as His special people. Now the disobedience of the Jews

enables God to show mercy to the Gentiles. Then, when that purpose is

achieved, He will again show mercy to Israel corporately.

Conclusion: The only proper response to the greatness of our God: Praise of His Name.

vs.33-36

Three Questions with the same answer:

1. Who knows God’s mind?

2. Who has been God’s counselor?

3. Who does God owe?

i. J. Vernon McGee’s Romans Commentary: These questions that we have here are simple

enough, but the answer is not so easy. “Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” Well,

no one knows the mind of the Lord—that’s the answer. It was Paul’s ambition to know

Him. He says, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the

fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil. 3:10). “Who

hath been his counsellor?” No one can advise God. I have seen a lot of church boards

that felt they were really giving God good advice, but He doesn’t need it. Have you

noticed that the Lord Jesus never asked for advice when He was here on earth? One

time—before feeding the five thousand—He asked Philip, “… Whence shall we buy

bread that these may eat?” Why did He ask that question? “And this he said to prove

him: for he himself knew what he would do” (John 6:5–6). He didn’t need Philip’s

advice. The fact of the matter is, he didn’t use His disciples’ advice. They said, “Send

them away.” He said, “You give them something to eat.” My friend, God does not ask for

advice, although a lot of folk want to give Him advice today. “Who hath first given to

him?” Have you ever really given anything to God which put Him in the awkward

position of owing you something? If you were able to give God something, He would

owe you something. What do you have that He hasn’t already given you? I think one

reason many of us are so poor is simply because we return to Him so little of what He

has given us. To tell the truth, God says He won’t be in debt to anybody. When

somebody gives Him something, He turns around and gives him more. Years ago

someone asked a financier in Philadelphia, a wonderful Christian man, “How is it that

you have such wealth, and yet you give away so much?” The financier replied, “Well, I

shovel it out, and God shovels it in; and God’s shovel is bigger than my shovel!” Oh, my

friend, most of us are not giving God a chance to use His shovel! We cannot do anything

for Him—He will give us back more than we give to Him.

ii. Chuck Missler Romans commentary: 33] O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom

and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding

out! Having concluded his discourse on God’s righteousness in His sovereign choices, he

bursts out with praise. “Unsearchable” = translates the one word which means

“incapable of being traced by footprints.” In Ephesians 3:8, its only other use in the New

Testament refers to the riches of Christ. 34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord?

or who hath been his counsellor? The apostle then quoted Isaiah 40:13, which shows

that God is the sole Designer of His wise plan. 35] Or who hath first given to him, and it

shall be recompensed unto him again? A free quotation from Job 41:11, which testifies

to God’s sole responsibility for His acts. God is indeed the Sovereign of all things, the

One to whom all creatures are accountable and whom all should glorify. He is under no

obligation to repay anyone, for no one has ever given Him anything. 36] For of him, and

through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. God is the first

Cause, the effective Cause, and the final Cause of everything. His deep ways are beyond

man’s discovering (Rom 11:33); beyond man’s knowing (v. 34a), beyond man’s

counseling (v. 34b), and beyond man’s giving (v. 35). “All things” come from Him and by

means of Him (Jn. 1:3; Col 1:16a; Rev 4:11) and are for Him and His glory (Col 1:16b).

God is the only proper One to magnify (1 Cor. 1:31; cf. Rom. 15:6; 16:27; 1 Pet. 4:11;

Rev. 5:12-13). The danger among believers today: a pride of race; a pride of face; a pride

of grace. Paul said he had nothing to glory in. If he had none, then certainly we have

none! Seek righteousness—and meekness. [Do you?]

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in

your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be

come in [Rom. 11:25].

“The fulness of the Gentiles” began with the calling out of the church. “Simeon hath declared how God at the

first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name” (Acts 15:14). It will continue until the

rapture of the church. Blindness and hardening of Israel will continue as long as the church is present in the

world.

The word mystery needs a word of explanation. In the ancient world of Paul’s day there were mystery

religions. Today it applies in a popular way to a story that has an unrevealed plot or person. It is used in

Scripture in neither of these ways. In the New Testament the word is used to refer to that which had been

concealed but is now revealed. The mystery here is the identification of the fullness of the Gentiles, which was

not a subject of revelation in the Old Testament.

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. 11:26–27].

When Paul says “all Israel shall be saved,” he does not mean every individual Israelite will be saved. It is the

nation he has before us in this chapter. In every age, only a remnant is saved. The quotation Paul uses is from

Isaiah 59:20 in the Old Testament: “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from

transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.” The message to the individual is that he will have to “turn from

transgression” to the Lord. There will be a remnant that will turn to Him. All of them will be saved. He speaks

of the saved remnant as the nation Israel.

There is always only a remnant that is saved. There was a remnant in Elijah’s day; there was a remnant in

David’s day; there was a remnant in Paul’s day; there is a remnant in our day; and there will be a remnant

during the Great Tribulation period.

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are

beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance [Rom. 11:28–29].

In other words, with reference to the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but with reference to the election,

they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts of grace and the calling of God are without

repentance—without a change of mind. Paul is summing up the preceding discussion. There have been two

lines of thought which are seemingly in conflict and contradictory, although both are true. In the first place,

Israel is regarded as an enemy for the sake of the Gentiles—that is, so the gospel can go to the Gentiles. On the

other hand, they are beloved for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, a Christian cannot indulge in

any form of anti–Semitism—that is a point I have made before, and continue to make it.

The failure of Israel and our failure likewise do not alter the plan and purpose of God.

“The gifts” are not natural gifts, but the word has to do with grace.

The “calling” is not an invitation, but it is the effectual calling of God, which is “without repentance.” In

other words, God is not asking even repentance from an unsaved person. The “calling of God” does not require

any human movement. From God’s viewpoint it is without man’s repentance or change of mind. Some folk

think they have to shed tears in order to be saved. Now certainly the shedding of tears could be a by–product of

an emotional person who turns to Christ, but the tears have nothing in the world to do with your salvation. It is

your faith in Christ that saves you. And neither is your faith meritorious. It is Christ who is meritorious. Your

faith enables you to lay hold of Him.

For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their

unbelief:

Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy

[Rom. 11:30–31].

You see, Paul is writing to Gentiles—the church in Rome was largely composed of Gentile believers. By this

time, many Gentiles were being saved. He is drawing a contrast here between the nation of Israel and the

Gentiles. In times past, the Gentiles did not believe, but now a remnant of the Gentiles have “obtained mercy.”

During this same time period Israel as a nation, which formerly believed, does not now believe. Paul puts down

the principle by which God saves both Jew and Gentile: it is by mercy. Just as God showed mercy to the

Gentiles, He will show mercy to the nation Israel.

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all [Rom. 11:32].

Both Jew and Gentile are in the stubborn state of rebellion and aggravated unbelief. Because of this, by grace

we are saved, through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any of us should

boast (see Eph. 2:8–9].

REASON FOR RESTORING THE NATION ISRAEL

What is the reason that the nation Israel will be restored? Well, that is locked in the riches of the wisdom of

God. My friend, let’s rest on the fact that what God is doing is wise, it is right, and it is the best that can be

done. You and I have an old nature that questions God when He makes a decision. I have heard many Christians

say, “Why are the heathen lost when they haven’t heard the gospel? God has no right to condemn them!” My

friend, God has every right imaginable. He is God. And what He is doing is right. If you don’t think it is right,

your thinking is wrong. And if you don’t think He is being smart, you are wrong. God is not stupid. You and I

may be stupid, but God is not. Oh, how we need to recognize this!

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his

judgments, and his ways past finding out! [Rom. 11:33].

Paul has come to the place of recognizing the wisdom and the glory of all that he has been discussing.

Godet’s statement on this section is worth quoting: “Like a traveller who has reached the summit of an

Alpine ascent, the apostle turns and contemplates. Depths are at his feet, but waves of light illumine them, and

there spreads all around an immense horizon which his eye commands.”

This section is pure praise and is no argument at all, yet it is the greatest argument of all. If we do not

understand the why of God’s dealings with Israel, with the Gentiles, and with ourselves, it is not because there is

not a good and sufficient reason. The difficulty is with our inability to comprehend the wisdom and ways of

God. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him:

neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14).

Once, while driving back from Texas to California, my little girl developed a fever of 104 degrees. I took

her to a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. She did not understand why I had taken her to the hospital, especially

when the doctor probed around and actually made her cry. She said, “Daddy, why did you bring me here?” She

did not understand that, since she was sick, I was doing the wisest thing I could do under the circumstances and

that I was doing it because I loved her. Oh, my friend, God is doing what is best for us. We may not understand

the things that happen to us, but we must believe that it is for our good that God allows them. We are like little

children, and we cannot understand God’s ways. Our circumstances may not always seem to be good, but they

come from the “depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” God says to us, “For my

thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher

than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8–9). Oh,

how we need to recognize this fact.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? [Rom. 11:34–35].

These questions that we have here are simple enough, but the answer is not so easy.

“Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” Well, no one knows the mind of the Lord—that’s the answer. It

was Paul’s ambition to know Him. He says, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the

fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil. 3:10).

“Who hath been his counsellor?” No one can advise God. I have seen a lot of church boards that felt they

were really giving God good advice, but He doesn’t need it. Have you noticed that the Lord Jesus never asked

for advice when He was here on earth? One time—before feeding the five thousand—He asked Philip, “…

Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” Why did He ask that question? “And this he said to prove him:

for he himself knew what he would do” (John 6:5–6). He didn’t need Philip’s advice. The fact of the matter is,

he didn’t use His disciples’ advice. They said, “Send them away.” He said, “You give them something to eat.”

My friend, God does not ask for advice, although a lot of folk want to give Him advice today.

“Who hath first given to him?” Have you ever really given anything to God which put Him in the awkward

position of owing you something? If you were able to give God something, He would owe you something. What

do you have that He hasn’t already given you? I think one reason many of us are so poor is simply because we

return to Him so little of what He has given us. To tell the truth, God says He won’t be in debt to anybody.

When somebody gives Him something, He turns around and gives him more. Years ago someone asked a

financier in Philadelphia, a wonderful Christian man, “How is it that you have such wealth, and yet you give

away so much?” The financier replied, “Well, I shovel it out, and God shovels it in; and God’s shovel is bigger

than my shovel!” Oh, my friend, most of us are not giving God a chance to use His shovel! We cannot do

anything for Him—He will give us back more than we give to Him.

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen [Rom.

11:36].

This just lifts me to the heights. Let me give you my translation: Because out of Him, and through Him, and

unto Him are all things. To Him be the glory unto the ages. Amen.

Alford labeled this verse “the sublimest apostrophe existing even in the pages of inspiration itself.”

“Out of Him” means God is the all–sufficient cause and source of everything.

“Through Him” means God is the mighty sustainer and worker. “… My Father worketh hitherto, and I

work,” Jesus said (John 5:17).

“Unto Him” means God must call every creature to account to Him. All things flow toward God.

“To whom be glory”—the glory belongs to Him in all ages. Are we robbing God of His glory by taking

credit for things we have no business to claim? The glory belongs to Him.

Oh, my friend, what a section of Scripture we have been in, and we leave it reluctantly.1

1 McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 9-16) (electronic ed., Vol. 43, pp. 60–65).

Nashville: Thomas Nelson.