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_________________________________________________ Heritage Baptist Bible Church Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor Walnut Grove, MN - USA Bible Questions and Answers _____________________________________________________ |
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Bible Questions & Answers Archive
What Does Romans 11:20,21 Mean? By Dr. Max D. Younce 0129
Question Do the verses in Romans 11:20,21 mean you can lose your salvation? "Well; because of unbelief they (Israel) were broken off, and thou (Gentiles) standeth by faith. Be not highminded but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest he also spare not thee (Gentiles)." Answer
Romans, Chapters 9 to 11, are speaking concerning Israel as a
nation. Chapter 9: Israel in the Past. Chapter 10: Israel in the
Present. Chapter 11: Israel in the Future. Christ, the Messiah was
promised to Israel as their king. Isaiah 9:6 told Israel, "For unto
us a child (Jesus) is born (His humanity), unto us a son
(Christ, His deity) is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful , Counsellor, The
mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah, in
7:14, said to Israel, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a
sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his
name Immanuel (God with us)." All the Gospels record Jesus Christ offering Himself to Israel as
their long-awaited Messiah, King and Savior; but, as a nation, they
rejected Him. In John 1:11 we have the record, "He (Christ)
came unto his own (Israel) and his own (Israel) received
him not." In Matthew 27:22, "...They all say unto him (Pilate),
let him (Christ) be crucified." Because of their unbelief,
they were dispersed throughout the world in 70 A.D. In the meantime, the saved Gentiles, who are the "wild olive tree"
of Romans 11:24, have the religious privileges of taking the Gospel to
the Jews and the rest of the world. During this Church Age, from
Pentecost to the Rapture, God is not dealing with any one nation in
particular; but, is calling out a people for His name, regardless of
nationality. (Galatians 3:28). After the Rapture, Israel will face horrible persecutions at the
hands of the Antichrist. Then, the Lord returns to establish His
Kingdom; thus fulfilling His promises of blessing and preservation to
His chosen people, the nation of Israel. This is what Romans 11:23,24 is
saying, "...for God is able to graff them (Israel) in again
(i.e. as a nation)." And, "...the natural branches, be graffed into
their own olive tree." The olive tree represents Israel’s religious
privileges; therefore, representing Israel as a restored nation.
(Ezekiel 37:21,22). Israel will worship the Lord Jesus Christ as their
Messiah, King, and Savior; thus, fulfilling Romans 11:26, "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 (Israel)." Romans 11 proves that God is faithful to His Word. As the nation of
Israel is made up of individuals, the majority never believed and are in
Hell today, as they never were saved. Those 3,000 that did believe on
Pentecost (Acts 2:41) are in Heaven today. As a nation, Israel has and will be chastened at the hand of God;
but, in the end, it is still a nation. When a person accepts Jesus
Christ as their Savior they become a child of God. (John 1:12). When
they sin, God can chasten; but, they are still a Christian, still a son
of God. (Hebrews 12:5-7). No, you can never lose your salvation! |
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