ROMANS 11:17-24 GOODNESS AND SERVERITY At this present time when God is calling out from all the people of the world, "a people for His name," His goodness is reaching way beyond Israel to those "whosoevers" in the world who will come as guilty and lost sinners to Christ for salvation. All such people find their new life of faith coming from Him who as the Son of God, came in the flesh from the seed of Abraham. We who are Gentiles find the Source of our new life from that Root. So even though Israel nationally refused to accept the Lord Jesus as the Christ, many of them as individuals are branches in the root of Abraham. These "natural branches" (Jews) along with the "wild" (Gentile) branches have both been grafted into the One who is from the root stock of Israel. For we who are Gentiles to think we have a more favored place than believing Jews, puts us in danger ourselves. Any people who show hatred or reject God's earthly people, is in jeopardy of being cut off themselves. Whenever our nation has not backed up Israel, it seems like we are attacked by the very forces of nature in devastating tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires.
How much more careful should those of us who have been given eternal life in Christ, be when it comes to our attitude towards those from Israel. At this time of God's dealings with mankind, He is calling out a people to bear His name as a bride does that of her husband. God is making of both believing Gentiles and believing Jews, "one new man." In this there is neither Jew nor Gentile, "but Church of God." Israel as a nation is at present in unbelief, even though they have become a nation. They won't be "grafted" back as a nation until the Lord Jesus reigns supreme on earth. Israel still has some terrible times coming during the Tribulation, "the time of Jacob's trouble."
The "wild" branch is in danger of being broken off now because of the rejection by Christendom to the truth of God's Word and will. The Gentiles have also resisted and rebelled against God and have designed their own ways of religious activity that is totally foreign to God's revealed will. God has been good to the Gentiles and during the "times of the Gentiles" millions have been brought by God's grace, along with believing Jews into the blessing of being a "kingdom of priests."
But something terrible and of lasting consequence has happened. Gentiles have gone about to establish their own righteousness, following the same path as Israel took. Gentiles have formed their own styles of priesthood and the "doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" is rampant all over Christendom. Great religious buildings have been built to "point people to God" rather than listen to what God has said in His Word. The "wild" branch is in great danger of being cut off, for God will not tolerate men, no matter who they are, rejecting His Son. Israel is in blindness presently it is true. But it seems like the "fullness of the Gentiles" in this day of grace, is about finished.
This day of grace when men are called From every nation, culture and tribe - Will soon be past it seems to me - For men not longer in Christ will abide. They have chosen a way that to them seems right, Not concerned what God Himself does say. There is crossing all over the world, the dark of night, As Christendom itself chooses another way.
There are a few comparatively speaking - Who still have ears opened to God's voice. They have resisted the way others are taking - And are making God's will their personal choice.
You can find them still working among the world of men But they are often ignored, mocked and despised. Because into the ways of professing "Christians" they will not blend - Seeing the deception that is obvious when its claims they apprise.
The lessons from the past are written in God's Word, So that we will not do what Israel has done. When men refuse to own Jesus as Lord - The example is there to see how the chosen people have gone. They decided to be like all the idol-worshipping nations around, And lost the blessings and power of God. If we also listen to the popular temptations that abound, We will soon compromise the truth of God's Word.
What can we do and what can we say; To stop the tendency to fall away? We must commit ourselves every day To remain faithful to what God in His Word does say. And when called on to be like the others and share In the "celebrations" they substitute for the Word of the Lord Clearly stated to them, it is the Lord's own name we bear - And we have chosen by God's grace to separate from the world.
"Father in heaven, I am not sure when we should leave here and travel west. It seemed right to not travel in the storm. If it would please Thee, make plain to Thy servant when we should start this journey and be in the current of Thy will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."