Faith in Romans, Introduction to Chapters 9, 10 & 11; God’s promises to Israel and what has happened to them:

About 3844 years ago, at a time when the entire human race worshiped pagan gods, God called Abram (later Abraham) out of that morass of sin. He promised Abram that his progeny would become a great nation, God would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him and all nations of the earth would be blessed through him, Genesis 12:1 - 31 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

. Abram believed and did as God instructed, i.e., he obeyed in faith. God subsequently promised Abraham that if man can number the dust of the earth, then shall his seed be numbered and they will possess the land of Canaan forever, Genesis 13:14 - 1714 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

; Genesis 15:1818 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

; Genesis 17:1818 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

; Genesis 18:1818 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

; Genesis 22:17 - 1817 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

. We know the story; God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac who in turn begat Jacob who ultimately had to move his family to Egypt during a 7-year famine. Jacob’s son Joseph was second in command of Egypt and controlled the food supply he had stored the previous 7 years because God gave him the ability to divine Pharaoh’s dream. However, after Joseph died Jacob’s offspring became slaves to the Egyptians and over the following 300 years or so, his family grew to be the Nation of Israel, probably numbering millions.

God referred to the Nation of Israel as His Son, His first born, Exodus 4:22 - 2322 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.

, having appointed Moses to lead them out of Egyptian slavery and promising they would be a Kingdom of Priests, a Holy Nation, Exodus 19:66 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

. Later, God promised Israel’s King David that from his seed would come a King and Kingdom that will last forever, 2 Samuel 7:13 - 1613 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

; Jeremiah 33:1414 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

-17. Jesus Christ was that promised King and He will at some time in the future, rule over Israel and all Nations of this earth forever, Luke 1:31 - 3331 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

. Zechariah prophesied that when that occurs, people of strong nations will seek and pray to the Lord in Jerusalem and 10 men out of all nations will tag along with a Jew because God is with him, Zechariah 8:21 - 2321 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

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In 1948, Jews established the modern-day Nation of Israel in a small part of the total land God promised Abraham and it’s estimated that approximately 43% of the world’s Jews live there now. However, they are a secular nation, bearing no resemblance to a Nation exhibiting the promises just described. Thus, the logical question; after almost 2000 years, why haven’t God’s promises to Israel been fulfilled? The definitive answer to this question is found in the ministry and epistles of the Apostle Paul, but unfortunately many don’t understand the distinct message the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul from heaven, Romans 16:25 - 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

. Some erroneously believe Israel has been permanently set aside because of their disobedience and handing their Messiah over to the Romans to be crucified; some labeling Jews as “deicides” (those who killed Jesus Christ). Many think God’s promises to Israel either are being or will be fulfilled by the so-called Christian church. The Catholic church goes so far as to claim the Apostle Peter as their first Pope. This is patently false as Scripture clearly teaches Peter was an Apostle to the Jews while Paul was to the Gentiles, Galatians 2:7 - 107 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

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Jesus Christ was the promised seed of Abraham who will bless the earth someday, Luke 3:3434 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

; John 8:56 - 5856 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

; He was the promised son of David who will someday rule forever on this earth with Israel literally a nation of priests, Luke 1:31 - 33. Matthew 10:66 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

; Matthew 15:2424 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

. Peter and the other 11 Apostles will sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 Tribes of Israel just as Jesus Christ promised them, Matthew 19:2828 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

; Acts 3:2121 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

; all this will happen because God promised and He cannot lie, Titus 1:22 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

. Before Jesus Christ was crucified, he described a Great Tribulation that will occur followed by His return to judge and rule, Matthew, chapters 24 and 25. When He ascended into heaven, His 12 Apostles asked when He would return to establish His Kingdom. He told them it was not for them to know the times or the seasons that the Father had put in His power, Acts 1:6 - 96 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

. As of this writing, the Tribulation has not occurred and obviously the Lord Jesus Christ is not yet King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Revelation 19:15 - 1615 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

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The 9th, 10th & 11th chapters of Romans are a parenthesis between the first 8 chapters that present the doctrine of the Gospel of God’s Grace and the 12th through the 16th chapters presenting practical living for believers during this age of Grace. The opening verses of chapters 9, 10 and 11 are instructive:

• Chapter 9: “I (Paul) say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 9:1 - 51 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

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• Chaper 10: “Brethren, my (Paul’s) heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. Romans 10:1 - 41 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

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• Chapter 11: “I (Paul) 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. 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, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 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. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Romans 11:1 - 51 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.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

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In spite of the fact God’s promises to Israel have not come to fruition, the Nation of Israel in general and Jews in particular are amazing. They have stood out from others throughout history, and still do. At least 20% of the 900 individuals awarded Nobel prizes have been Jews, (List of Jewish Nobel Laureates), including Albert Einstein in Physics in 1921. Jews have been a powerful force behind governments. As previously mentioned, Jacob’s son Joseph was second in command of Egypt. Daniel was second in command in Nebuchadnezzar’s Kingdom. After King David defeated Israel’s enemies, his son Solomon was the wisest King and Ruler who ever lived. Many Jews have been the brains behind the scene in various governments since then. Jewish bankers have financed countries and even wars; examples are Moses Montefiore born 1784, Mayer Amschel Rothchild born 1744 and his offspring. (During the 19th century the Rothschild family possessed the largest private fortune in modern world history.) In the United States today, Jews excel in many fields, including the entertainment industry. The tiny country of Israel is a testament to ingenuity in scientific advancement in medicine, manufacturing, farming, defense, etc.

But in spite of their talents they have been kicked from pillar to post since before the earthly ministry of Christ. Persecution of the Jews has gone on to one extent or another throughout history. Catholic Monarchs decreed they either recant their beliefs and be baptized or be expelled from numerous European Kingdoms throughout the middle ages; (Expulsion of Jews from Spain). Ostensibly, the objective was to achieve unity of faith but of course it has always been Satan’s design to rid the world of God’s people, an example of which was Hitler’s Holocaust. Speaking of Hitler, he based at least part of his hate for Jews on the teaching of the great protestant reformer Martin Luther, who first showed concern for their plight but later became an outspoken antisemitic when they failed to convert to Christianity.

Satan has used the human trait of envy and jealousy to incite anti-Semitism as it is natural for people to resent others who better them in performance, success, prosperousness. As to blaming them for killing Jesus; Christ Himself prayed God would forgive them because they “know not what they do,” Luke 23:3434 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

. Indeed, Christ died to fulfill God the Father’s will, Luke 22:4242 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

. We in the Body of Christ could not be saved had He not shed His blood for us, Romans 5:8 - 98 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

; 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

. Furthermore, Jews are no different from anyone in that “… all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

. Therefore, each and every Jew except Jesus Christ, has been born a sinner, regardless of the fact the Nation of Israel was God’s chosen people, Romans 9:4 - 54 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

. During Elijah’s time there were millions of Jews who didn’t worship God, choosing instead to follow the wicked pagan religion of the idol Baal. God had to assure Elijah there were 7,000 Jews who were true believers and had not bowed down to Baal, Romans 11:2 - 42 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.

. Today, it’s estimated that 80% of the approximately 14.5 million Jews in the world do not feel connected to their Jewish identity, (World Jewish Population Nearly 14.5 Million but 80 Unconnected) and only God knows how many are true believers in the Gospel of Grace, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 4, and are thus Members of the Body of Christ.

Romans 9, 10 and 11 teaches what has happened to the Nation of Israel over the last 2000 years, but “… all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” Romans 11:2626 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:

; Isaiah 59:2020 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

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