Chapter 9:14-23 – VESSELS OF WRATH AND VESSELS OF MERCY
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? ~ Romans 9:14-24
Paul has shown in the previous verses how that not all within Israel are truly Israel, because God’s calling is based on election according to his grace and not based on ethnic status: Not the Calvinist doctrine of election, but God’s purpose which is mercy towards those who believe.
Ethnic Israel had failed to obtain that for which they were called, yet some within Israel (a remnant), had obtained the promises. They are those with circumcised hearts among those who were circumcised in the flesh only.
Those who were circumcised in heart obtained the promises God made to Abraham, and are the “true Israel within Israel.” The rest were hardened, not serving God from the heart, but relying on their ethnic status and boasting in the law, though they did not keep it.
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. ~ Romans 2:17-29
In their hardened and uncircumcised hearts, ethnic Israel is the vessel of wrath fitted for destruction of whom Paul makes reference. Paul appeals to the historical account of God’s dealings with Pharaoh as a scriptural example of God’s sovereignty in hardening whom He wills.
Paul employs the scriptural account of Pharaoh to expound on his explanation of Israel and the remnant within Israel (the true Israel within Israel), for it is through faith, that God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled, and not through the flesh.
In contrast to the vessel of wrath which in the context is national Israel, the remnant of believing Jews along with believing Gentiles are the vessels of mercy whom God has called according to his grace.
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? ~ Romans 9: 22-24
Notice that God has called the vessels of mercy from among the Jews. This implies that not all Jews were called as vessels of mercy, even as all Gentiles are not called as vessels of mercy.
Throughout the Old Testament we see many accounts in which God’s wrath was carried out against Israelites who rebelled against him. In the New Testament we also have many examples.
For instance, John the Baptist warned the Pharisees to flee from the wrath to come, and in 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 Paul refers to the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and who oppose the gospel as being under the wrath of God.
Paul continues in Romans 9 by saying the following:
As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. ~ Romans 9:25-29
It was because of the righteous seed within national Israel (the remnant with circumcised hearts) that Israel was not destroyed as a nation for breaking the covenant.
Otherwise they would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah when God’s wrath was revealed against them.
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ~ Romans 9: 30-33
Rooted and Grounded In Christ 
Dear Mike, I put some thoughts on paper.
It’s about the meaning of the “fullness of gentiles”.
I disagree with the traditional view. Here is why.
Starting with Roman 11
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Roman 11
After the apostle has described that Israel has not listened to the word of the Lord, and has even opposed God, he asks the question: God has not rejected his people?
No, he says, I am also an Israelite, from the descendants of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. Paul says emphatically that God did not reject his people, that he knew. Paul belonged to that part of Israel, what the Bible calls the Israel of God, just like those seven thousand men who have not bowed their knee to the Baal.
The apostle explains this not only because he is an Israelite and yet in the service of God, but on the basis of history, a history from the distant and dark past of Israel. It is the time of the worst king Israel has ever known: Ahab! It is said of this man:
25But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. 1 Kings 21:25
If God had not used the prophet Elijah in his mercy to destroy the Baal cult and if God had not left 7,000 men who had not kissed the Baal and who had not bowed to this idol, then indeed God would have the whole people on had to destroy that moment. The measure of iniquity would then have been full.
Paul makes a point here: Israel has come to the brink of abyss by the wicked regime of Ahab and Jezebel, but there is only a rest of 7,000 men left on an entire people. We know that if only 10 righteous were left in Sodom and Gomorrah, these cities would NOT have been destroyed!
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. Gen 18
For the umpteenth time, Israel crawled through the eye of the needle. However, there would come a time when Israel would be expelled from the land because their sins were greater than those of the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before them.
Even though the people of Israel were like the sand of the sea, a remnant will be saved. Isaiah said it much sharper:
For, though your people were, O Israel, like the sand of the sea, a remnant below will repent; extermination is firmly decided, overflowing with justice. (Isa. 10:22)
Paul quotes only the first part of God’s statement (about a remnant from Israel being saved), the second part is a judgment, a curse, on Israel where two things stand out: the extermination is determined [1] and it is overflowing with justice.
Paul knows this very well.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace:
Paul emphasizes that not only then, at the time of Elijah the prophet, but also now in the present time, a remnant will be saved from this people. That is why he is so sad and wants to be banished from Christ on behalf of his kinsmen after the flesh, the Israelites.
He explains that the remnant cannot boast of works (or descent), but can only appeal to the grace of Christ. God chooses anyone who relies on his grace, such a person is justified by his faith in the grace of God. So no one can boast of his own accomplishments, but only the accomplishments of the Son of God.
Salvation is thus obtained by faith in the grace of God and not from works, because if someone works, he earns wages and therefore there is no mercy.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Conclusion: what chases Israel to the flesh has not received it. What has Israel pursued? They have pursued salvation, but they believed that salvation was achieved through their own works. The people of Israel have not obtained it, says the apostle! But the chosen part, the rest, the Israel of God!
Paul explains the judgment of God on this people:
God gave them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes to see and ears to hear until the present. And David says, Their table becomes a snare and a net, and an offense and retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they do not see, and make their backs bend forever. The Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah:
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12
Their fall and the salvation of the gentiles.
11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
Now the apostle asks: is there intent in the game? Did they have to stumble? Not at all, he says! Paul turns it around; God had made a provision. The people of Israel had indeed turned away from God, broke the Sinai covenant, but by giving them a new covenant that Gentiles could also participate in, they are meant to be resurrected to jealousy. At least … that is what the apostle hopes that his kinsmen will love the flesh.
Verse 11 / b deserves some explanation. Paul says that salvation has come to the Gentiles through the fall of Israel to the flesh. How can this happen?
Israel has broken the old covenant (Isa. 31: 31-32). This covenant was exclusively intended for Israel after the flesh; Gentiles did not participate in this covenant, as it is written:
Now then, if you listen carefully to Me and keep my covenant, then you will belong to Me from all nations, for all the earth belongs to Me. And thou shalt be a kingdom of priests unto me, and a holy nation. These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites. (Ex. 19: 5-6)
By breaking the covenant, God has enforced the sanctions of this covenant on this people. The breaking of the Sinai covenant was the fall of Israel! The old covenant was replaced by the new covenant in which the Gentiles could (also) participate! If the Israelites had kept the covenant and listened to God, then these promises and blessings would have been their share:
5 Now then, if you listen carefully to Me and keep my covenant, then you will belong to Me from all peoples, for all the earth belongs to Me. 6 And thou shalt be a kingdom of priests unto me, and a holy nation. These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites. (Ex. 19)
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. Deut 28
None of this has ended up, for they have not listened to God or kept a covenant. Salvation, however, is from the Jews, and that salvation has a name: Jesus Christ. If their fall and their shortage means riches for the Gentiles, what will their fullness be like living from the dead, Paul says. This is logical. Israel has been dismissed as God’s unique people because they have broken the covenant, Israel is dead! It is no longer the people who were connected to God through the Sinai covenant. After all, that covenant ended when Israel broke it so many times that God had the sanctions enforced. Incidentally, this only happened on the cross when the sanctions of the law, the covenant, came upon the Christ. (Gal. 3:13) Their fullness means that they recognize their Messiah, the Christ, and that means living from the dead! A portion (the remainder) will receive the Messiah. This is the Israel of God, that together with the Gentiles who have been given part in the civil right of Israel, are all Israel. Paul is so eager to save his relatives after the flesh by making them jealous AND SINGLE OUT KEEP THEM.
The Olive tree
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Roman 11
There is much misunderstanding about this parable. The apostle first explains that with regard to this olive tree it can be said that if the root is sacred, then the branches are sacred. The question must be asked who that root is.
And one of the elders said to me, Don’t weep; Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David [4], has overcome to open the scroll and its seven seals. (Op. 5: 5)
Revelation 5: 9 reveals that the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is worthy to open the seals. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the lion of Judah, the root of David and the Lamb of God. He alone is worthy.
He is also the root of the olive tree. Through Him the branches are supplied with life-giving juice. The original branches are the Israelites. They were broken away by their unbelief and transgressions. The Gentiles who have come to believe are grafted on and receive the noble olive also part in the juices of the carrot. Whether or not to stay on the tree depends on one’s faith. A Jew who was first cut off will, if he comes to faith, be grafted in again. The new covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ is first for the Jew and also for the Greek (Gentile). The “misunderstanding” comes when someone believes that the root is Israel. No, the root is the root David, the Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. He carries the branches. He is the King of Israel.
WHOLE ISRAEL CONSISTS OF A FAITHFUL REMNANT OF NATURAL ISRAEL AND BELIEVES GENTILES
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.
26 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:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
What does the apostle mean by verses 25 and 26? He explicitly states that what he now reveals is a mystery!
[1] A partial hardening has come over the people of Israel. Paul has discussed this extensively in the foregoing. It concerns the vast majority; a remainder will be retained! If the people of Israel were like the sand of the sea, a remnant would be saved. (Rom. 9:27; Isa. 10: 21-22) Some read here that it is a temporary hardening, but it really does not say that; that would also contradict the many texts that say that only a remainder will be saved, not only was that the case in the past, but also in the present tense. (Rom. 11: 5) So the hardening is not among the rest: the Israel of God. If you read the word “temporary,” you will also misread the rest of the sentence. Then it remains a mystery.
[2] That partial hardening will be there until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. What fullness is meant here and who are these Gentiles? If we know who these gentiles are, then we also know what the fullness refers to. After all, we know that the Israel of God consists of the believing Jews (Gal. 6:16). The church consists of believing Jews and believing Gentiles. If the church is presented to Christ as a pure virgin, then Jew and Gentile have come to fullness. Therefore, the Gentiles in verse 25 cannot refer to believing Gentiles.
The word fullness that refers to unbelieving Gentiles has no positive meaning, no more than the fullness in the following text is positive:
The fourth generation, however, will return here, for the measure of the iniquity of the Amorites is not full before. (Gen. 15:16)
A fullness of iniquity (sins) was needed, the measure had to be full, before Israel could not get the promised land, for God does not give away the land of a righteous people. He is indeed sovereign, but He is also just. After all, his throne is founded on justice and judgement?
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Psalm 89
The unrighteousness of the Gentiles must first come to fullness. Those who are dirty become dirtier, the Bible says. The plagues and wrath of God upon the world will be poured upon the Gentiles. The book of Revelation shows the wickedness of the Gentiles, the nations of the earth. They will go after the beast and the dragon and they will shed the blood of the saints. The fullness of the Gentiles refers to the iniquity that will come to a peak in the end times. The measure of the iniquity of the Gentiles will become full. The partial hardening of Israel to the flesh will last until the end.
[3] ALL Israel, consisting of the Israel of God and believing Gentiles, who believe in Christ, will be saved. The word “thus” has these meanings: [1] this way, [2] so, [3] as said (by), and [4] according to. What is all of Israel? The apostle did not write before: For not all who descend from Israel are (it) Israel (God). (Rom. 9: 6) and they are not all children (of promise), because they are posterity of Abraham, but: Through Isaac they will be spoken of as posterity. (Rom. 9: 7) And all who will adhere to that rule – peace and mercy come over them, and also over the Israel of God (the rest). (Gal. 6:16) And you, brethren (the Gentile Galatians), are, like Isaac, children of promise. (Gal. 4:28) It says: For not all who are descended from natural Israel are the Israel of God, nor are they all children of promise, because they are descendants of Abraham.
So the sentence says: Thus all spiritual Israel will be saved;
Thus all Israel – consisting of the Israel of God (the rest) and the Gentiles who have received the civil right of Israel (Eph. 2:11:20) – will be saved.
It does not say: after that all Israel will be saved. Yet the word is read afterwards, just as in the foregoing the word is read temporarily instead of partially. It reads that a “temporary” hardening on Israel is being lifted, although God’s Word says that a remnant will be saved and that the judgment of this people is overflowing with justice:
For, though your people were, O Israel, like the sand of the sea, a remnant below will repent; extermination is firmly decided, overflowing with justice. (Isa. 10:22)
That means that all Israel are not the complete state of Israel.
The word after that would mean that there is a sequence that doesn’t have a reason. It word “thus” has nothing to do with order, but indicates a process that leads to something. In the process in which iniquity will rise to the top at the time of the regime of the son of perdition, the man of lawlessness, the antichrist, the church of God will take its most perfect form. It changes from carbon to a beautiful diamond that expresses both beauty and eternity.
The Church is all Israel.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains what spiritual Israel consists of, namely, believing Jews (the Israel of God) and believing Gentiles. The believing Gentiles have obtained the civil right of Israel and participate in all promises in Christ Jesus.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye (gentiles) being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye (gentiles) were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye (gentiles) who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Jew and gentile)
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ef 2
In short it comes down to this: The Christ abolished the enmity between Jew and Gentile by disabling the law of the covenant on the cross (verses 14-15). The sanctions of the covenant were imposed on the Christ, He suffered the punishment that brought the Jew and Gentile peace with God. So the law was the dividing wall that separated, since that law of the covenant excluded Gentiles and made Israel the exclusive people of God. (Ex. 19: 5) The believing Gentiles have now also received the civil right of Israel (verse 12) and the unbelieving Jews have lost that civil right (broken branches). Jews and Gentiles are connected to one body, the church of Jesus Christ (verse 16). They are made into one new person: the spiritual Jew (verses 15 / b). Paul had previously explained that someone is not a Jew because of natural descent, but according to spiritual descent:
For he is not a Jew who is outward, and not that is circumcision, which is done externally in the flesh, 29 but he is a Jew who is in secret, and the (true) circumcision is that of the heart, after the Spirit, not after the letter. Then his praise does not come from people, but from God. (Rom. 2: 28-29)
Paul says after he says that all Israel will be saved: The Redeemer will come from Zion, He will turn away wickedness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. First is Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. So not the current Jerusalem that is in bondage with its children (Gal. 4:25). Heavenly Jerusalem is our mother (= the believers). Zion is the city of
the living God, in which the believers from Jews and Gentiles live. In short, she is the church of God:
But you have come near Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and to the tens of thousands of angels (Heb. 12:22).
Secondly, here is the new covenant when He takes away their sins. But here it is about those who repent of transgression, as it is written: But as Redeemer He comes before Zion, and for those who repent of transgression in Jacob, the word of the LORD is. (Isa. 59:20) verily behold, of the stone that I lay down before Joshua – there are seven eyes upon that one stone – I myself will engrave the engraving, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will one day put away the iniquity of this land. (Zech. 3: 9)
Jew and Gentile decided under disobedience.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their un belief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
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!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Paul explains in his letter to the Ephesians that Christ is the peace between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2: 11-20) and here he says that according to the gospel they are enemies for your sake (the Gentiles in Rome). Verse 28, however, refers to the fact that Israel has fallen and has forfeited its position it had in the old covenant.
He says that Israel is beloved for the sake of the fathers (especially Abraham) and that the gifts and calling of God are unrepentant. These statements can easily be misunderstood, but luckily explains Paul express it in the following verses: For just as you once disobeyed God, but now have found mercy because of their disobedience, so too, these have now become disobedient, so that by showing you mercy they would now also find mercy. For God has disobeyed them all, to have mercy on them all. (verses 30-32) Gentiles, who used to be disobedient to God, have now found compassion for Israel’s disobedience (by breaking the old covenant, to which the Gentiles could not get a part, and salvation in the new covenant has (also) gone to the Gentiles)! The apostle says here that Israel has become disobedient, that now, by the mercy of the believing Gentiles, they would receive mercy … The apostle praises God’s depth of wealth, wisdom and knowledge. No one has been God’s counselor. His counsel must be interpreted and made public by Him himself, rather we cannot know what has been in Him and what His plans are.
But we see here that God through his apostle reveals His secrets to human beings. God reveals it to his children. He wants them to know his council decisions. Paul testifies to the elders of the church at Ephesus that he has already told them the counsel of God. He has not left anything behind! for I have not failed to proclaim to you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)
So the commonwealth of Israel is “IN”Christ. A gentile can be part of it.
So in the Commonwealth of Israel the are no Jew or Gentiles, but children of God led by His holy Spirit.
So I made up this conclusion: the fulness of the gentiles are a fulness of sin. Why do I think that?
If (whole) Israel is partial hardend, it means that the past 2000 years, a Jew cannot come to Christ because the fulness of gentiles is not coming in. (Coming in the Chuch of Kindom of Heaven/God).
In the present day it means the same, because the fulness of gentiles has not reached its end.
The traditional explanation tells, that if the fulness of gentiles comes in His kingdom, the partial hardening is falling off, and Israel becomes awake and will be automatically saved.
I disagree. Because the are 6 billion other people. Who are not Jews.
Another point is when Paul wrote a letter to the church of Thessalonian:
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
A falling away of what? From a certain point of view I believe Christians will fall from their faith.
Keep that phrase in mind.
Before the second coming of Christ, will there be A falling away (apostacy) first. But what about “a fulness of gentiles is going in”…
That is a huge contradiction, isn’t it? I think a fulness of gentiles is going out…
Any thoughts?
Sincerely yours,
Jurie Post
Ps: excuse me for my language, I am from the Netherlands.
Dear Mike, I put some thoughts on paper. It’s about “what is the fullness of the gentiles?”
Somehow I disagree with the traditional view.
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Roman 11
After the apostle has described that Israel has not listened to the word of the Lord, and has even opposed God, he asks the question: God has not rejected his people?
No, he says, I am also an Israelite, from the descendants of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. Paul says emphatically that God did not reject his people, that he knew. Paul belonged to that part of Israel, what the Bible calls the Israel of God, just like those seven thousand men who have not bowed their knee to the Baal.
The apostle explains this not only because he is an Israelite and yet in the service of God, but on the basis of history, a history from the distant and dark past of Israel. It is the time of the worst king Israel has ever known: Ahab! It is said of this man:
25But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. 1 Kings 21:25
If God had not used the prophet Elijah in his mercy to destroy the Baal cult and if God had not left 7,000 men who had not kissed the Baal and who had not bowed to this idol, then indeed God would have the whole people on had to destroy that moment. The measure of iniquity would then have been full.
Paul makes a point here: Israel has come to the brink of abyss by the wicked regime of Ahab and Jezebel, but there is only a rest of 7,000 men left on an entire people. We know that if only 10 righteous were left in Sodom and Gomorrah, these cities would NOT have been destroyed!
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. Gen 18
For the umpteenth time, Israel crawled through the eye of the needle. However, there would come a time when Israel would be expelled from the land because their sins were greater than those of the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before them.
Even though the people of Israel were like the sand of the sea, a remnant will be saved. Isaiah said it much sharper:
For, though your people were, O Israel, like the sand of the sea, a remnant below will repent; extermination is firmly decided, overflowing with justice. (Isa. 10:22)
Paul quotes only the first part of God’s statement (about a remnant from Israel being saved), the second part is a judgment, a curse, on Israel where two things stand out: the extermination is determined [1] and it is overflowing with justice.
Paul knows this very well.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace:
Paul emphasizes that not only then, at the time of Elijah the prophet, but also now in the present time, a remnant will be saved from this people. That is why he is so sad and wants to be banished from Christ on behalf of his kinsmen after the flesh, the Israelites.
He explains that the remnant cannot boast of works (or descent), but can only appeal to the grace of Christ. God chooses anyone who relies on his grace, such a person is justified by his faith in the grace of God. So no one can boast of his own accomplishments, but only the accomplishments of the Son of God.
Salvation is thus obtained by faith in the grace of God and not from works, because if someone works, he earns wages and therefore there is no mercy.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Conclusion: what chases Israel to the flesh has not received it. What has Israel pursued? They have pursued salvation, but they believed that salvation was achieved through their own works. The people of Israel have not obtained it, says the apostle! But the chosen part, the rest, the Israel of God!
Paul explains the judgment of God on this people:
God gave them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes to see and ears to hear until the present. And David says, Their table becomes a snare and a net, and an offense and retribution for them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they do not see, and make their backs bend forever. The Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah:
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12
Their fall and the salvation of the gentiles.
11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
Now the apostle asks: is there intent in the game? Did they have to stumble? Not at all, he says! Paul turns it around; God had made a provision. The people of Israel had indeed turned away from God, broke the Sinai covenant, but by giving them a new covenant that Gentiles could also participate in, they are meant to be resurrected to jealousy. At least … that is what the apostle hopes that his kinsmen will love the flesh.
Verse 11 / b deserves some explanation. Paul says that salvation has come to the Gentiles through the fall of Israel to the flesh. How can this happen?
Israel has broken the old covenant (Isa. 31: 31-32). This covenant was exclusively intended for Israel after the flesh; Gentiles did not participate in this covenant, as it is written:
Now then, if you listen carefully to Me and keep my covenant, then you will belong to Me from all nations, for all the earth belongs to Me. And thou shalt be a kingdom of priests unto me, and a holy nation. These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites. (Ex. 19: 5-6)
By breaking the covenant, God has enforced the sanctions of this covenant on this people. The breaking of the Sinai covenant was the fall of Israel! The old covenant was replaced by the new covenant in which the Gentiles could (also) participate! If the Israelites had kept the covenant and listened to God, then these promises and blessings would have been their share:
5 Now then, if you listen carefully to Me and keep my covenant, then you will belong to Me from all peoples, for all the earth belongs to Me. 6 And thou shalt be a kingdom of priests unto me, and a holy nation. These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites. (Ex. 19)
9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. Deut 28
None of this has ended up, for they have not listened to God or kept a covenant. Salvation, however, is from the Jews, and that salvation has a name: Jesus Christ. If their fall and their shortage means riches for the Gentiles, what will their fullness be like living from the dead, Paul says. This is logical. Israel has been dismissed as God’s unique people because they have broken the covenant, Israel is dead! It is no longer the people who were connected to God through the Sinai covenant. After all, that covenant ended when Israel broke it so many times that God had the sanctions enforced. Incidentally, this only happened on the cross when the sanctions of the law, the covenant, came upon the Christ. (Gal. 3:13) Their fullness means that they recognize their Messiah, the Christ, and that means living from the dead! A portion (the remainder) will receive the Messiah. This is the Israel of God, that together with the Gentiles who have been given part in the civil right of Israel, are all Israel. Paul is so eager to save his relatives after the flesh by making them jealous AND SINGLE OUT KEEP THEM.
The Olive tree
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Roman 11
There is much misunderstanding about this parable. The apostle first explains that with regard to this olive tree it can be said that if the root is sacred, then the branches are sacred. The question must be asked who that root is.
And one of the elders said to me, Don’t weep; Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David [4], has overcome to open the scroll and its seven seals. (Op. 5: 5)
Revelation 5: 9 reveals that the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is worthy to open the seals. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the lion of Judah, the root of David and the Lamb of God. He alone is worthy.
He is also the root of the olive tree. Through Him the branches are supplied with life-giving juice. The original branches are the Israelites. They were broken away by their unbelief and transgressions. The Gentiles who have come to believe are grafted on and receive the noble olive also part in the juices of the carrot. Whether or not to stay on the tree depends on one’s faith. A Jew who was first cut off will, if he comes to faith, be grafted in again. The new covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ is first for the Jew and also for the Greek (Gentile). The “misunderstanding” comes when someone believes that the root is Israel. No, the root is the root David, the Lamb of God, Christ Jesus. He carries the branches. He is the King of Israel.
WHOLE ISRAEL CONSISTS OF A FAITHFUL REMNANT OF NATURAL ISRAEL AND BELIEVES GENTILES
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.
26 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:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
What does the apostle mean by verses 25 and 26? He explicitly states that what he now reveals is a mystery!
[1] A partial hardening has come over the people of Israel. Paul has discussed this extensively in the foregoing. It concerns the vast majority; a remainder will be retained! If the people of Israel were like the sand of the sea, a remnant would be saved. (Rom. 9:27; Isa. 10: 21-22) Some read here that it is a temporary hardening, but it really does not say that; that would also contradict the many texts that say that only a remainder will be saved, not only was that the case in the past, but also in the present tense. (Rom. 11: 5) So the hardening is not among the rest: the Israel of God. If you read the word “temporary,” you will also misread the rest of the sentence. Then it remains a mystery.
[2] That partial hardening will be there until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. What fullness is meant here and who are these Gentiles? If we know who these gentiles are, then we also know what the fullness refers to. After all, we know that the Israel of God consists of the believing Jews (Gal. 6:16). The church consists of believing Jews and believing Gentiles. If the church is presented to Christ as a pure virgin, then Jew and Gentile have come to fullness. Therefore, the Gentiles in verse 25 cannot refer to believing Gentiles.
The word fullness that refers to unbelieving Gentiles has no positive meaning, no more than the fullness in the following text is positive:
The fourth generation, however, will return here, for the measure of the iniquity of the Amorites is not full before. (Gen. 15:16)
A fullness of iniquity (sins) was needed, the measure had to be full, before Israel could not get the promised land, for God does not give away the land of a righteous people. He is indeed sovereign, but He is also just. After all, his throne is founded on justice and judgement?
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Psalm 89
The unrighteousness of the Gentiles must first come to fullness. Those who are dirty become dirtier, the Bible says. The plagues and wrath of God upon the world will be poured upon the Gentiles. The book of Revelation shows the wickedness of the Gentiles, the nations of the earth. They will go after the beast and the dragon and they will shed the blood of the saints. The fullness of the Gentiles refers to the iniquity that will come to a peak in the end times. The measure of the iniquity of the Gentiles will become full. The partial hardening of Israel to the flesh will last until the end.
[3] ALL Israel, consisting of the Israel of God and believing Gentiles, who believe in Christ, will be saved. The word “thus” has these meanings: [1] this way, [2] so, [3] as said (by), and [4] according to. What is all of Israel? The apostle did not write before: For not all who descend from Israel are (it) Israel (God). (Rom. 9: 6) and they are not all children (of promise), because they are posterity of Abraham, but: Through Isaac they will be spoken of as posterity. (Rom. 9: 7) And all who will adhere to that rule – peace and mercy come over them, and also over the Israel of God (the rest). (Gal. 6:16) And you, brethren (the Gentile Galatians), are, like Isaac, children of promise. (Gal. 4:28) It says: For not all who are descended from natural Israel are the Israel of God, nor are they all children of promise, because they are descendants of Abraham.
So the sentence says: Thus all spiritual Israel will be saved;
Thus all Israel – consisting of the Israel of God (the rest) and the Gentiles who have received the civil right of Israel (Eph. 2:11:20) – will be saved.
It does not say: after that all Israel will be saved. Yet the word is read afterwards, just as in the foregoing the word is read temporarily instead of partially. It reads that a “temporary” hardening on Israel is being lifted, although God’s Word says that a remnant will be saved and that the judgment of this people is overflowing with justice:
For, though your people were, O Israel, like the sand of the sea, a remnant below will repent; extermination is firmly decided, overflowing with justice. (Isa. 10:22)
That means that all Israel are not the complete state of Israel.
The word after that would mean that there is a sequence that doesn’t have a reason. It word “thus” has nothing to do with order, but indicates a process that leads to something. In the process in which iniquity will rise to the top at the time of the regime of the son of perdition, the man of lawlessness, the antichrist, the church of God will take its most perfect form. It changes from carbon to a beautiful diamond that expresses both beauty and eternity.
The Church is all Israel.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains what spiritual Israel consists of, namely, believing Jews (the Israel of God) and believing Gentiles. The believing Gentiles have obtained the civil right of Israel and participate in all promises in Christ Jesus.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye (gentiles) being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye (gentiles) were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye (gentiles) who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Jew and gentile)
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ef 2
In short it comes down to this: The Christ abolished the enmity between Jew and Gentile by disabling the law of the covenant on the cross (verses 14-15). The sanctions of the covenant were imposed on the Christ, He suffered the punishment that brought the Jew and Gentile peace with God. So the law was the dividing wall that separated, since that law of the covenant excluded Gentiles and made Israel the exclusive people of God. (Ex. 19: 5) The believing Gentiles have now also received the civil right of Israel (verse 12) and the unbelieving Jews have lost that civil right (broken branches). Jews and Gentiles are connected to one body, the church of Jesus Christ (verse 16). They are made into one new person: the spiritual Jew (verses 15 / b). Paul had previously explained that someone is not a Jew because of natural descent, but according to spiritual descent:
For he is not a Jew who is outward, and not that is circumcision, which is done externally in the flesh, 29 but he is a Jew who is in secret, and the (true) circumcision is that of the heart, after the Spirit, not after the letter. Then his praise does not come from people, but from God. (Rom. 2: 28-29)
Paul says after he says that all Israel will be saved: The Redeemer will come from Zion, He will turn away wickedness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. First is Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. So not the current Jerusalem that is in bondage with its children (Gal. 4:25). Heavenly Jerusalem is our mother (= the believers). Zion is the city of
the living God, in which the believers from Jews and Gentiles live. In short, she is the church of God:
But you have come near Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and to the tens of thousands of angels (Heb. 12:22).
Secondly, here is the new covenant when He takes away their sins. But here it is about those who repent of transgression, as it is written: But as Redeemer He comes before Zion, and for those who repent of transgression in Jacob, the word of the LORD is. (Isa. 59:20) verily behold, of the stone that I lay down before Joshua – there are seven eyes upon that one stone – I myself will engrave the engraving, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will one day put away the iniquity of this land. (Zech. 3: 9)
Jew and Gentile decided under disobedience.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their un belief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
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!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Paul explains in his letter to the Ephesians that Christ is the peace between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2: 11-20) and here he says that according to the gospel they are enemies for your sake (the Gentiles in Rome). Verse 28, however, refers to the fact that Israel has fallen and has forfeited its position it had in the old covenant.
He says that Israel is beloved for the sake of the fathers (especially Abraham) and that the gifts and calling of God are unrepentant. These statements can easily be misunderstood, but luckily explains Paul express it in the following verses: For just as you once disobeyed God, but now have found mercy because of their disobedience, so too, these have now become disobedient, so that by showing you mercy they would now also find mercy. For God has disobeyed them all, to have mercy on them all. (verses 30-32) Gentiles, who used to be disobedient to God, have now found compassion for Israel’s disobedience (by breaking the old covenant, to which the Gentiles could not get a part, and salvation in the new covenant has (also) gone to the Gentiles)! The apostle says here that Israel has become disobedient, that now, by the mercy of the believing Gentiles, they would receive mercy … The apostle praises God’s depth of wealth, wisdom and knowledge. No one has been God’s counselor. His counsel must be interpreted and made public by Him himself, rather we cannot know what has been in Him and what His plans are.
But we see here that God through his apostle reveals His secrets to human beings. God reveals it to his children. He wants them to know his council decisions. Paul testifies to the elders of the church at Ephesus that he has already told them the counsel of God. He has not left anything behind! for I have not failed to proclaim to you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)
So the commonwealth of Israel is “IN”Christ. A gentile can be part of it.
So in the Commonwealth of Israel the are no Jew or Gentiles, but children of God led by His holy Spirit.
So I made up this conclusion: the fulness of the gentiles are a fulness of sin. Why do I think that?
If (whole) Israel is partial hardend, it means that the past 2000 years, a Jew cannot come to Christ because the fulness of gentiles is not coming in. (Coming in the Chuch of Kindom of Heaven/God).
In the present day it means the same, because the fulness of gentiles has not reached its end.
The traditional explanation tells, that if the fulness of gentiles comes in His kingdom, the partial hardening is falling off, and Israel becomes awake and will be automatically saved.
I disagree. Because the are 6 billion other people. Who are not Jews.
Another point is when Paul wrote a letter to the church of Thessalonian:
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
A falling away of what? From a certain point of view I believe Christians will fall from their faith.
Keep that phrase in mind.
Before the second coming of Christ, will there be A falling away (apostacy) first. But what about “a fulness of gentiles is going in”…
That is a huge contradiction, isn’t it? I think a fulness of gentiles is going out…
Any thoughts?
Sincerely yours,
Jurie Post
Ps: excuse me for my language, I am from the Netherlands.
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Very well thought out and lots to consider. Thank you. And I apologize for taking so long to reply.
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