God's Plan For Israel

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20081026

In Rom 11:25, the Apostle Paul maintains that Israel’s blindness is not terminal. It will end when “the full number of the Gentiles has come in”. Paul is just saying that the people of Israel will remain blind until the last Gentile in the present church age has been brought to Jesus Christ.

This age will come to a close at Christ’s return to earth. His return will usher in the tribulation period. During this period, Satan will try to destroy Israel (Rev. 12), and two-thirds of the Jewish population will die (Zech. 13:8). The remaining one-third will be refined like silver and gold through the fire of their difficult circumstances that will result in their turning to Jesus Christ. When this turning occurs, all Israel (constituted by the surviving remnant of the Jewish people in the tribulation period) will be saved (Rom 11:26).

In Rom 9-11, Paul explains that Israel is the elect Nation, beloved of God. When God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He will make her a Nation for blessing to the world, His promise is irrevocable. He who re-established Israel in 1948 as a Nation and is gathering dispersed Jews from all over the world back to the Promised Land will fulfil His word on her future restoration. So, the day will come when God will again focus His attention on Israel to remove her blindness in order to bring her to Himself and restore her to a place of blessings. Meanwhile, Israel remains hardened to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Gentile Christians have the opportunity to reach out to the Jews.

When we reflect on God’s plan for Israel, we cannot help but must marvel at His wisdom, mercy, decisions and ways. Only His wise plan of redemption for the world can take Israel’s blindness and turn it into salvation for the Gentiles, salvation for the Jews, salvation for Israel, and blessings for the whole world! What then should our present response be to God’s great plan of salvation for mankind? Paul recommends in Rom. 12:1, 2 the presentation of our bodies as living, holy and acceptable sacrifices to God. Praise the Lord!