At a key point in Paul’s letter to the Romans, after Paul has been wrestling with the Jewish rejection of Jesus and the Gentile acceptance of him, warning Gentiles not to look down on the Jews as if they’ve been voted off redemptive-history island, Paul then turns to the topic of Israel in the future, and his claim is that in the end “all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26).
Let me say that whole schemes of theology, complete with charts, modern prophecy, novels, and theo-political lobby groups for the US policy in the Middle East. hinge on these few words.
But what does it mean that “all Israel will be saved”?
In the context of Rom 11:25-32, Paul argues that Israel’s “hardening” is only temporary, until the “full number of Gentiles” enter into God’s grace. After that, Paul expects “all Israel” to be saved, probably at the return of Jesus, when the Messiah returns to Jerusalem. The rationale is that God’s “gifts and calling” are irrevocable, including for Israel.
Here’s what I think needs to be remembered …
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