Romans 11:25-32: Israel's Future Salvation

Romans 11:30-31.. "For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy."

This portion of Romans is answering the question of both when and how Israel will be reconciled to God once again. We have seen in the previous parts of the chapter that Israel has been temporarily hardened by God that the Gentiles might be grafted in (see Romans 11:25 for a summary of this doctrine). However, we are also promised in Romans that Israel will be brought back to salvation, that is, that the hardening is only temporary. However, when and how is this going to happen?

Israel, that is, those of Israel that are elect, will be saved when the Lord Jesus comes again. Note Romans 11:26: "And in this way all Israel will be saved...'The Deliverer will come from Zion.'" This opens up many questions about both when the rapture will happen in regard to the tribulation as well as when the millenium will happen.1 However, let us be sure, that Israel will once again be reconciled to God--this is clear in scripture, and it will happen at Christ's second coming.

But how will they be saved? Just as we were saved. Look at verses 31 and 30, typed out above. They will be saved from their disobedience by God's mercy, just as we were saved from our disobedience by God's mercy. Praise the Lord.

Paul, in conclusion, writes something extremely notable. "For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all" (Rom. 11:32). Oh, how we not ought to miss this text! Note God's wonderful, soverign, and glorious ways! God has consigned us all to disobedience that he may get the fully glory in saving us all. Not one is righteous, no not one...yet, God is holy, holy, holy, and mighty to save. So just as we were saved, so will Israel someday be saved. The Lord has not given up on his original chosen people, and neither has he given up on us.

So, have you realized that the Lord has saved you from your disobedience by his mercy? Have you praised him for saving you, though you did not deserve it? Surely we ought to, amen!

1. Let the reader note that I am not dismissing any theological conflict. I refuse to dive into topics like the ones listed above absolutely not because I think they are unimportant, but because I do not fully know what I believe on them yet, and would not know what to argue. This isn't theological ignorance, this is realizing that God's truths are a little bit bigger than you are (that's carcasm, by the way, God's truths are WAY bigger than we are, obviously).