Expect Change, Romans 11 – Lite (30 min)

All over the world, people are sensing that this is a time of change. Momentum is building. Do you perceive it? What are your thoughts on all the developments in the news? Are they just random or causal? Consider the technological changes, the vast number of people migrating to other countries, the weather events, the political and cultural upheaval, virulent disease, and the fear and anger expressed by numerous people. Paul said that “the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs” that will continue until … an appointed time. (refer to Romans 8:19-22).  These things aren’t new; they have been cycling since Jesus ascended.  But there is an increasing simultaneous intensity with these chaotic events that compel the alert individual to consider what Jesus forewarned in Matthew 24:4-12.  

I suspect you could observe one week’s worth of news and then categorize local and world events under Christ’s predictions. In addition, there will be another huge change prophesied by Jesus and Daniel. Paul linked these changes to God’s sovereign election.

The last two study blogs on Romans focused on Israel’s past (chapter 9) and Israel’s current situation (chapter 10).  Chapter 11 offers hope as it reminds us that God keeps His promises. And within keeping God’s promise, He inaugurates a sovereign climactic change in the redemption plan. His redemptive focus will shift from all the other nations (as a priority) to restoring the children of Israel. Since this has not yet occurred, we could say that Romans 11 is about the future of the children of Israel and any unregenerated Gentile individuals after a specific time. 

Study Notes Outline:

The following represents my segmentation of Romans 11. Clicking on each segment title will navigate you to the correlating section. This study will take about 30 minutes to read, but if you want the detailed version, you can find it under this title: Expect Change at the Fullness of the Gentiles (Romans 11).

We See God’s Perspective Through Conversation with Him (Romans 11:1-6)

Please read verses 1-6.  The question Paul posed was the natural question someone would ask after reading about the failure of the children of Israel to accept the Messiah (Romans 9:30-33; Romans 10:3; 21).  By this point in the letter, the reader understands God’s choice to (1) bestow grace to pardon someone through faith; or, (2) to execute justice by hardening someone in their choice to rebel against Him and remain in unbelief.  The logical question is:  “has God cast away His people?“ (Romans  11:1a).

First of all, Paul pointed out that he was a Jew from the seed of Abraham so clearly the LORD was in the business of saving Jews, although just a remnant for now.  Paul’s response is based on a promise stated by the prophet Samuel.   

• The children of Israel had seen victories and losses in battles and even experienced oppression by the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 7:3 – 15, Israel had repented from serving other ‘gods’ or idols, and the LORD was faithful to deliver them from the Philistines at Mizpeh in 1050 B.C.    

• In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel presented Saul as the requested king to the children of Israel, and he reminded them of how God had chosen them, delivered them from bondage, and preserved them.  He cautioned them about disobedience that would lead to discipline.  

Then Samuel said, ” For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people.” (1 Samuel 12:22)

So even when things look ruinous, the LORD will intervene for those He has chosen because it pleases Him. 

At this point in Romans 11, Paul responded to his anticipatory rhetorical question with a reminder that he was a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin. He reminded them that God would never cast off Israel.  Regardless of who ruled over them, and whether they were dispersed or regathered, Scripture states that the children of Israel would always be a nation to Him.  Refer to Jeremiah 31:36-37 and Jeremiah 33:24-26.  

Most of the children of Israel did not recognize Jesus is the fulfillment of the Isaiah 9:6-7 Messianic promise. Even many of the teachers and scribes did not grasp it; the reason is that the Spirit goes where He wills. This is observed in Christ’s discussion with Nicodemus in John 3:2-16 (here you can also observe Jesus referring to the Trinity using the words “We” and “Our“).

Before Christ’s crucifixion, many Jews saw a partial fulfillment of their prophecies as they were (1) regathered to their homeland, (2) no longer divided under two houses (Israel and Judah), and (3) worshipping in their rebuilt temple to perform the sacrificial law for sin. 

At this time, the only element missing was a king to sit on David’s throne ruling over all the nations of the earth.  It was a perfectly good expectation from what was revealed to them at that time!

Using the lens of the Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus used familiar language for Nicodemus to chew on.  Jesus talked about water (i.e. cleansing), the Kingdom, and the Son of Man (the Messianic epithet for Christ).   In light of what Jesus was telling him, did Nicodemus consider the following passages?

• Deuteronomy 30:1-6, Jeremiah 23:1-8, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah 32:37-41, Ezekiel 11:16-20, Ezekiel 36:16-28, Ezekiel 37:11-14, Ezekiel 37:21-28.

The New Covenant promise made in Ezekiel included God’s Spirit being deposited within the individual which would be the enablement to fulfill God’s statutes and judgments.  This part of the New Covenant was not grasped until Jesus’ resurrection, and then only a remnant understood.

Even after the resurrection, the disciples were asking about restoring the kingdom to Israel. Jesus reminded them that the times and the seasons were known to the Father and that they were not to fully understand the timing. (Acts 1:4-9) If you took a fresh reading of the first two chapters of Acts, you would be blessed by Peter’s sermons and David’s prophecy concerning Christ’s resurrection and needed waiting for the Father’s fulfillment of the times (Acts 2:29-39).

God’s fulfillment of His covenants and Old Testament Prophecy is about His nature and His election.

Although we can agree that sometimes prophetic things appear hard to see how they will be fulfilled, one could say for someone to assume that God would permanently cast away Israel would be to limit God’s foreknowledge, His power, His oath, and His immutability.

In verses 2 – 4, Paul pointed to the account of Elijah so let’s go there now. The year was about 858 B.C.  Elijah was called to be a prophet to warn the children of Israel not to worship other gods nor to be like the people from other nations.  For added context, Elijah had challenged the prophets of false god “Baal” to a contest between their god and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. While Baal did not respond to the prayers of the pagan prophets, the LORD answered Elijah with fire that consumed the offering (1 Kings 18). 

After Elijah had killed all of the pagan prophets, Ahab told Jezebel about the ordeal at Mount Carmel.  Jezebel (defender of Baal and Astarte worship) vowed to kill Elijah so he fled from her.  You can read about this in 1 Kings 19.   

Elijah ended up in a cave; the LORD met him there to engage in a conversation about his perspective on things.  Paul referred to verses 10, 14, and 18 from 1 Kings 19 within Romans 11:2-4 but we will read the full passage:

• “So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” … Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. “Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. “It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:10-18)

God is able to protect His children and deliver them from any foe.

In that moment, Elijah failed to understand God was demonstrating who He was by this miraculous act in front of the erroring children of Israel.  Quietly and unbeknownst to Elijah, God had already set apart 7,000 faithful children of Israel without needing the spectacular sight on Mount Carmel.  

This was a perspective lesson for Elijah and for you and me.

Elijah’s flight from Jezebel was not a surprise to the LORD.  He knew all of Elijah’s strengths and weaknesses.  While Elijah was downcast, feeling defeated, and praying for death, the LORD cared for him by providing nourishment, a revelation of God’s omnipresence and how He works, and then, further direction. 

Let’s look at Romans 11:5-6.  Just as the LORD chose to reserve a remnant that Elijah was unaware of, the Father by His will and His grace, has chosen people from the children of Israel to be saved through faith in Christ.  Consider that earlier in his letter, Paul prayed for the greater population of the non-believing nation (Romans 10:1-3).  

Verse 6 reminds us that it is for God’s glory that He saves by His grace.  It is written:

• “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” (Romans 11:6)

Because of faith in Christ, God graces sinful people to approach Him (Romans 5:1-2). With access to the Father, we can change our perspective to align with God’s view concerning our lives and the people we interact with.  Through prayer with a humble heart and teachable spirit, the Holy Spirit share’s a Godly perspective about anything that concerns us.  This is consistent with what Paul wrote earlier in his letter (Romans 8:15, 26-27).

Election within a Chosen Collection (Romans 11:7-10)

In verse 7, there are two sets of people from the cohort of covenant children of Israel. The two distinctions are:  (1) those who were chosen to receive God’s favour or grace; and (2) those who failed to receive God’s favour.  In the second distinction, those who failed to receive God’s favour sought it by zealous obedience to the law (works) but ended up hardened ( “póroó” which is Strong’s ).

In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul compared this blinding to a veil dulling the illumination that Christ brings.  It is written:   

• “But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:14-17)

In verse 8, Paul referred to Moses and Isaiah.  These two elect prophets were called to speak to the children of Israel about their unfaithfulness to God.   Here are the two Scriptures:

• “Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day.” (Deuteronomy 29:4)
• “For the LORD has poured out on you The spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.” (Isaiah 29:10)

Paul continued in verses 9 and 10 with a quote from David specifically (Psalm 69:22-23). Willful disobedience eventually leads to God’s agreement with your choice.  He hardens the willfully disobedient in their choice as He did with Pharoah.  Those who hear His voice and turn from their sin toward Him, He will “ by no means cast out” (John 6:37).  

• “For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)

Reconciliation Available to All People made Possible by the Rejection of the Chosen Collection (Romans 11:11-16)

Please read Romans 11:11-16.  Now let’s concentrate on what the Godhead was (and is still) accomplishing on earth by fulfilling the prophecy concerning the nation’s hardening/blinding (generally).

• “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:11)

Keeping these definitions in mind, it is understood that the nation’s sin of unbelief in Jesus as the promised Christ did not cause them universally to permanently be disqualified from participating in the Messianic salvation that is currently available. Their sin is no different than any other unbeliever who has heard the gospel.  (Romans 3:21-23)

Rather, the unbelieving children of Israel were blinded for two reasons:  so that (1) all other nations could be invited to share in God’s Kingdom by God’s grace through faith in Christ; and, (2) the children of Israel would observe the spiritual change in the converted Gentiles which would motivate God’s covenant people to likewise trust in Christ instead of their works under the law.

When we consider Paul’s preaching, we see that in many instances the gospel was only shared more broadly with the Gentiles after the Jewish people rejected it. Acts 28:23-29 includes an example of this and contains Isaiah’s warning of the spiritual dulling of the nation.

Paul never lost hope in the message saving both Jews and Gentiles in this current age.  Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:21-24 are great examples of his hope.

Now, let’s look at the remaining verses in this segment (verses 12-16).  This section is prophetic.  It spans from the current church age through the great tribulation to the 2nd physical coming of Christ to set up His 1,000-year reign on earth.

Verse 12:  Since all nations were enriched because the people of Israel generally did not see Jesus as God’s Son, it stands to reason that when they realize it, the blessing to the world will be even greater. Jesus explained after His resurrection that (1) Jesus had to suffer and rise from the dead to fulfill prophecy; and (2) that His disciples were to preach to all nations. (Luke 24:44-49)

Verses 13 and 14:  Paul understood that Jesus prophecied a new era in God’s plan of redemption (which was the church – ekklēsía” (Strong’s 1577, Matthew 16:18), and he also knew Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming judgment. Knowing there would be greater persecution coming to Paul’s countrymen after the church age, he was motivated to spread the message to the Gentiles even more.    

Both John the Baptist and Jesus marked the change in era:

1. John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Christ (as prophesied in Malachi 3:1) described himself as the friend of the Groom (John 3:27-30). Jesus is the Church’s husband.
2. After John the Baptist was imprisoned, Jesus announced the distinction in era by explaining that the kingdom of God was now being offered but John’s era belonged to the Old Testament ways.  Jesus said:

• “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. “This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.‘ “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:26-28)
• “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16)

John was beheaded before Christ was crucified. While John the Baptist is in heaven as an Old Testament saint, He was not part of the church that Christ and Paul referred to. 

Paul explained the church was a new creation (comprised of both Jews and Gentiles) called into the new birth experience through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-18 and Ephesians 3:1-6). 

Verse 15: Paul said that when his fellow Jews accept Christ as Messiah, “It will be life for those who were dead”. He implied that since their hardening brought reconciliation between humanity and God through Christ’s atonement for the sin of the world (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2), then their return would be even more wonderful for the world. 

This refers to a future time when God will fulfill His promises to Israel and restore this fallen world to its original design (absent of sin and the consequences of the fall, Romans 8:19, 21). 

Peter preached to the unbelieving people of Israel saying:

• “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. ‘And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” (Acts 3:18-26)

In the interim (between Christ’s ascension and the restoration of all things at the end), the Jewish Apostles evangelized the good news of freedom from sin in Christ and hope of eternal life everywhere. God added both Jews and Gentiles to the church daily.  He is still doing this today. 

• “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, … even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:1, 5)

While there are so many prophecies concerning this time when the unbelieving children of Israel will be saved (like Ezekiel 37:9-14 and Jeremiah 32:37-42), for this blog I look to Jesus’ prophecy to return at the appointed time. 

• “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! “See! Your house is left to you desolate; “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ “ (Matthew 23:37-39)

Verse 16: This verse joins all of its preceding verses back to verse 11 where Paul stated that Israel’s rejection was not final.  Here in verse 16, we are reminded that if God considered the root holy, then that which comes from the root is also holy. 

In the book of Revelation, it is written:

• “But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)
• “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

As it is today, the believing remnant is included in Paul’s teaching of the new creation body of Christ.  The remnant that will be saved in the future, after the church is gone, is still considered holy to the LORD.  They will welcome Him back during the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7)

• “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. … Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. “Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. “Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:1-2, 7-13)

Jesus told a parable that reflects the Father’s heart towards a prodigal child. In this parable, the older son who stayed with the father questioned the elaborate celebration over the return of the younger son who left the father to chase after his desires. The father’s response was:

• “‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. … ‘It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ “ (Luke 15:24, 32)

Since every person is guilty of breaking God’s holy law regardless of the size of the infraction, all people require forgiveness from the Father who waits (with longsuffering) for the erroring child to turn around.  This applies to the unbelieving children of Israel as well.

The Pardoned Should Have Reverent Humility because God Decided the Means of Global Reconciliation (Romans 11:17-24)

Romans 11:17 – 24 refers to the Father’s choice. The church is to remember that we exist only because Christ builds His Church; Christ is the Vine and the Father is the One that chooses what to do with His possession (John 15:1-6).  All souls are His (Ezekiel 18:4, Zechariah 12:1); the souls that are cast into the fire and the ones that are pruned.  

The key message in this segment is those belonging to Christ’s vine, as offshoot branches (whether grafted in from a foreign vine, or the natural fatness of the vine) should have humility.  

Both “goodness” and “sternness” are words that describe God in verse 22 so let’s dig into it.

In either case, He is just because He has the power of choice and sets the time and area boundaries for His creation.   Paul preached about God’s sovereign choice and the appointed day of judgment in Acts 17:26-31.

Using the New Living Translation, let’s consider a portion of the segment considering the consistency of Scripture.

Therefore, if God appoints the times and boundaries of humanity (Acts 15:18; Genesis 9:19; Deuteronomy 32:7-8; Job 14:5; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22) and it is His choice to offer grace, we should have reverent humility in our placement within the church.  

Paul was clear on God’s sovereign election and understood that there have always been self-deceived people within those assembling as the church.  In verse 22, he reminded readers that God cut off those who were unbelieving (or disobedient) among the elect children of Israel. 

God is unchanging so the elect church can expect that God will likewise deal with those who attend church but are unbelieving (potentially evident to others by their disobedience or lack of fruit).  These are the ones who say they are Christians but are not sealed by His Holy Spirit; they will likewise be separated.  Jesus said both unbelieving and believing grow together for some time (Matthew 13:24-30).

One should be careful about how making determining judgments because only the Lord knows the heart and we are at differing stages of fruit-bearing.

Do not forget that when Christ preached repentance, the children of Israel were steeped in their traditions and a great many would not turn to accept His message of salvation through faith in Him.  The nation did not perceive that a new age had started.  They were deceived by thinking their works and traditions were sufficient; and, therefore were blinded by a veil.  

Be careful about complacency and passivity.  Make certain you are growing and that the works of Christ’s salvation in you are complete.

• “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10)

The Appointed Time for the Partial Hardening to Cease (Romans 11:25-32)

This segment starts with identifying that God has concealed parts of His plan through the ages.  His mention of God’s intentional cloaking of future events is not only addressed in this segment of Romans; it is throughout his writings (example 1 Corinthians 2:6-8):

Paul explained that the partial hardening of Israel would end at an appointed time resulting in the nation of Israel being saved because God will fulfill all that has been written.  Having warned them sternly in Romans 11:22, he then quoted part of Isaiah 59:20 & 21 in Romans 11:26.   Let’s look at verses 25 to 28:

• “I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of this mystery [God’s previously hidden plan] so that you will not be wise in your own opinion, that a partial hardening has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of the Gentiles has come in; (Romans 11:25 AMP)
• “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;” (Romans 11:26) 
• “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,” (Romans 11:28 NIV)

If you are studying both Old Testament and New Testament prophecy, please notice the distinction between 

(1)    the times of the Gentiles (that end of the Great Tribulation at Christ’s Return – Luke 21:24- 28); and,

(2)    the number of Gentiles (to be saved by grace pre-Great Tribulation while the children of Israel are generally in unbelief).

• It will be extremely difficult for anyone who wants to come to the LORD during that future time. (Refer to Revelation 13).  This too is a separate study.

Once the number of Gentiles who were appointed to the church (by God before time began) have reached fulfillment, the temporary veil will be withdrawn from Jacob’s descendants.  At that time, the remaining children of Israel (whom God elected before time began) will receive Jesus as their Messiah and will be saved!  

It is a human construct to believe that God needs to treat everyone identically throughout the ages.  

Now, with this in mind, those who are saved can certainly be thankful for this verse!

• “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)

If God has called a person to faith in Christ (Jew or Gentile), He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or sends His call. If God has given you eternal life, He does not withdraw His gift .

• “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” (Malachi 3:6)

The reinstatement of the Apostle Peter after his denial of Jesus is a great example of how the LORD will seek out His own to restore fellowship with Him.  And, remember, Jesus had foreknown and forewarned Peter of this (Luke 22:31-34).

Peter did not re-establish his place with the disciples.  Jesus did in John 21:1-19.  He even affirmed Peter’s assignment (now that Peter was humbled by his inability to withstand testing independently.)  Peter better understood that without Christ’s empowerment, no one can stand against all the pressures of this life.   At the fall, we had all been handed over to disobedience.  

It is only by God’s grace (His favour, Divine influence and power to believe, and His strength to choose change) that His mercy is available to those He calls in the times He calls them.

We should be thankful for (1) the nation of Israel that preserved God’s Word; (2) the Jewish Apostles who spread the gospel; and, (3) for God’s sovereign handling of humanity. 

• “For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:30-32)

God’s Plan Mystifies All of Creation (Romans 11:33-36)

Some people have difficulty understanding how a loving God can make choices surrounding the end state of the individual.  It’s as though humanity has regressed to a point where they believe they can tell the Creator who He ought to be, or what rules (if any) He should govern us by.  Perhaps many have bought into the original lie (Genesis 3:4-5).

If our history teaches us anything, we should realize that humanity has repeatedly failed to be like God, and our fallen nature (without God’s intervention) causes strife, hatred, evil, and ultimately death. 

Some are hoping to bring order out of chaos without the LORD.  Others are trying to tear down current institutions and foundations to build something entirely new (without concern for the harm being caused by the strategies).  Is that the change and the world we are seeking?  

Friends, God reigns above all earthly kingdoms and allows human beings to exercise their will within His plan.  There is a change coming!  A time has been set. You need to be ready!

Will you turn away from this world’s pattern of sin, receive His Spirit, abide in His truth, and love Him and others?  Are you ready for the coming change? Will you worship the One who is worthy of all glory?

• “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)