HOW GOD DISPENSED HIS PLAN THROUGH TIMES?
(A study of God's administration and blueprint)
By: Bishop Albert Gran
Introduction:
Rightly dividing the word of truth through dispensational study is one of the most blatant rejection which many thought only cause confusion among lots of believers in our times. Hence, many people in almost Christian churches just prefer a show of "charismatic" dealing and social rapport where so-called Christian services and social activities are spend in almost meetings and gatherings so that every people would feel more comfortable, welcomed, at ease, and accepted other than dealing with doctrines, teachings, and exhortation as they supposed would lead to arguments, debates, and division.
This enabling concept is proposed among many young preachers and teachers in our times. They just let our younger generation be sound out to social orientation instead being exposed to the soundness of God's word, develop their faith and trust to our Lord Jesus Christ, and much more had comfort to enjoy the fellowship of His word and the Spirit of truth.
May this exhortation shall be a delight to learn and relearn more significant issues between God's entire management and dealing of humanity throughout times.
ROMANS 11 SPEAKS OF JEWS ABOVE NATIONS AND GRAFTED WILD OLIVE TREE, THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST (Jews and Gentiles of equal privilege)
ELECTION ACCORDING TO LAW AND COVENANT
Romans 11 King James Version (KJV)
11 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.
What Paul is saying here is that people of Israel are always included in God's plan regardless of what dispensation or period in the chronology of God's divine plan over ages. Paul as an apostle stated the support how he as an Israelite, particularly of the tribe of Benjamin in this dispensation of grace became an apostle to the Gentile. "God Forbid" emphasized a direct clear sense how people of Israel today still had access to obtain privilege position of God's grace through the ministry of apostle Paul.
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.
Paul exactly knew God's plan over the ages and he cited who were those people whom He foreknew. The word "foreknew" signifies past status condition who were those people in time past. In fact, Paul quoted the scripture of Elijah how he made intercession to God against Israel.
ELIJAH'S INTERCESSION
1 Kings 19 King James Version (KJV)
19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how HE HAD SLAIN ALL THE PROPHETS.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lordcame to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
This OT historical account is what Paul used to explain the condition of God's people of Israel. They were remnants and spared individuals who did not worship the image of Baal. Such account was cited by Paul as something IN THE PAST.
So these people whom he foreknew were REMNANTS UNDER THE ECONOMY OF LAW in TIME PAST. Forsaking God's COVENANT in verse 10 (Law) is the issue why Elijah made intercession to God and how those prophets were persecuted and killed due to their obedience.
ELECTION ACCORDING TO GRACE
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 it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
It's worth significant also that Paul similarly described this present time (even so) through which the ELECTION OF GRACE worked in the lives of REMNANTS TODAY. As clearly described, GRACE IS THE ANTI-THESIS OF LAW in matters of God's election in our present time. The ELECTION OF GOD for those he foreknew is obviously based on THE COVENANT according to prophecy. No wonder these two operations of God's plan are totally DIFFERENT and thereby need an understanding to see our eyes how wonderful are God's ways in dispensing His truth over the ages, and how his plan varies in the history of human kind.
However, many today who gain righteousness in accordance to principles of WORKS need to know it should always be by the GRACE OF GOD. It's a fact only by PURE DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S GRACE. When works are added to salvation or even imposing human ability to gain salvation, such as repent and turn away from your sins, go to church, pray a lot, submit to water baptism, give alms and indulgences to the poor added to the presentation of THE CROSS WORK OF CHRIST. These beliefs mean complete mixture of LAW AND GRACE. To reiterate further, salvation must be by the GRACE OF GOD APART FROM HUMAN WORKS (Rom. 4:5).
JEWS NATIONAL FAILURE OF GOD'S ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE LAW
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.
National Israel did not obtain what God had planned for them which is to BE WITNESSES AND CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS to the Gentiles, however few obtained it through the election of which in prophecy some had obeyed His COVENANT and NOT WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF BAAL. They were the remnants under the ECONOMY OF LAW.
Paul in the above verses signifies how God had "given them" or let them do what they believe to do because of UNBELIEF. It is because man had free will to disobey the Covenant of God, then He had given them the spirit of slumber (not interested to study God's word), eyes that they should not see (blind of the truth), and ears that they should not hear (unable to understand and perceived the truth)
Worshiping idol and idolatry is the stumbling block of the people of Israel. Consider these verses below:
IDOLATRY: ISRAEL'S STUMBLING BLOCK
Jeremiah 6:20-21King James Version (KJV)
20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
21 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
Ezekiel 7:19King James Version (KJV)
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
Ezekiel 14:3King James Version (KJV)
3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Ezekiel 14:7King James Version (KJV)
7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the Lord will answer him by myself:
As to general sense, what caused ISRAEL'S FAILURE is NOT RECOGNIZING HIM AS THE SOVEREIGN AND CREATOR and BEING OBEDIENT TO THE 'COVENANT' as offered to them.
The people of Israel continuously opposed God the Father and had kept disobeying his covenant in the Old Testament. It's prevalent in the account of Christ's earthly circumcision ministry how national rejection fell majority of Israel. It also accounted total refusal of their King to reign with them and believed Christ as the prophesied Messiah, the redeemer of Israel. Religious leaders led national Israel in for a national rejection to submit themselves before the GOD OF ISRAEL and JESUS CHRIST as their savior. The account of Stephen in Acts 7-8 marked the significance of Holy Spirit's rejection which caused TOTAL FALL OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or the Godhead was given up by the nation of Israel which caused God to send SALVATION TO THE GENTILES and called Paul as someone who was SEPARATED FROM HIS MOTHER'S WOMB AND CALLED BY HIS GRACE.
Galatians 1:15King James Version (KJV)
15 But when IT PLEASED GOD, who SEPARATED ME me from my mother's womb, and CALLED ME BY HIS GRACE,
IDOLATRY AND DISOBEDIENCE: BASIS OF ISRAEL'S FALL
11 I 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.
12 Now 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?
Paul is plain in the sense above that the reason of their FALL is not that they have stumbled but BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK. If there is a national welcome and acceptance of GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT in the account of prophecy then GENTILES will also be saved THROUGH THEM as our supposed teachers of the law.
Paul said "Now" (your emphasis today in the dispensation of grace) if the fall of them (national Israel above all nations) be the RICHES OF THE WORLD (Jews and Gentiles had privilege blessing of salvation and blessings in the context of present dispensation of grace, according to the MYSTERY KEPT SECRET) HOW MUCH MORE THEIR FULLNESS (when His promise to Israel's blessings for the Gentiles shall soon be achieved in the world to come)
As the formula set below regarding the Gentiles position in God's plan:
ISRAEL WITNESSES = GENTILE SALVATION .... Prophecy foretold and promised
( Time Past)
ISRAEL/ GENTILES = SAVED BY GRACE........... MYSTERY KEPT SECRET
( But Now)
ISRAEL WITNESSES = GENTILE SALVATION..... Prophecy fulfilled
(Ages To Come)
PAUL'S APPEAL TO BE KEEN ON HIS GENTILE MINISTRY
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
As an apostle to the Gentiles, Paul addressed the Gentiles about the OFFICE which God had set for him to reveal God's newest plan in our present time. "Provoke emulation" is akin to Paul's desire how Jews will be saved through the gospel entrusted to him in view of Paul's ministry declaring the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Relevant to Paul's apostleship ministry is our understanding what it says in Acts 9 pertinent to God's calling to apostle Paul.
Acts 9
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name BEFORE THE GENTILES, and KINGS, and the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL:
16 For I will shew him how GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER for my name's sake.
CASTING AWAY OF THEM appertains a significant setting forth of God's plan due to fall and failure of Israel based on the PREVIOUS PLAN set for them in time past, to be witnesses and blessings to THE GENTILES. In the dispensation of Grace, instead of calling Jews to be a blessing to the Gentiles, he changed His plan and called a BRAND NEW APOSTLE to go directly and preach the Gentiles declaring the MYSTERY TRUTH WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET in the DISPENSATION OF GRACE.
Ephesians 3 King James Version (KJV)
3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ FOR YOU GENTILES,
2 If ye have heard of the DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me THE MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a MINISTER, according to the gift of the GRACE OF GOD given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY, which from the beginning of the world hath been HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Paul had made on declaring that the casting away of Israel which is the RECONCILING OF THE WORLD (both Jews and Gentiles' lost) and that it is VIEWED IN TRUTH THROUGH PAUL'S MINISTRY and APOSTLESHIP vested on his shoulder. He's called to declare the message of reconciliation and preach the ambassadorship privilege which God also entrusted to all members of the Church the Body of Christ (2 Cor. 5:19-20).
Paul made on to stress the fact that what the Jews will receive through Paul's ministry is SALVATION TO LIFE FROM THE DEAD. A Jew today cannot go back to the old system if he really cares to be saved in accordance to God's plan and purpose in prophecy. He must recognize the gospel message declared by Paul for his salvation considering the fact THEIR STATUS WAS DECLARED "CASTAWAY" in Paul's time.
WHO ARE THE FIRST FRUITS?
Significant in the context are God's two-fold plans between prophecy and mystery regarding the saints in the household of God. Relative to what He stated in the verses below is an instruction to the Gentiles today including the LESSON HOW MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST must learn in accordance to God's plan over the ages between prophecy and mystery.
16 For if the FIRSTFRUITS 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;
The FIRSFRUITS, LUMP, ROOT, AND BRANCHES WERE PARTS OF THE TREE signifying PEOPLE, the SAINTS in the household of God. Paul stressed the fact this account is RELATIVE TO THE PROPHETIC PLAN HE SET FOR HIS PEOPLE, THE NATION OF ISRAEL.
ISRAEL: A WILLOW TREE
Ezekiel 17:1-8King James Version (KJV)
17 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the HOUSE OF ISRAEL;
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.
6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
ISRAEL:AN OLIVE TREE IN A HOUSE OF GOD
Psalm 52:1-9King James Version (KJV)
52 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8 But I am like a GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before THY SAINTS.
No wonder Paul knew God's dealing of His household as comparable to a TREE and all the parts therein were His people in time past which was declared holy. However, not ALL ISRAEL, WHICH ARE OF ISRAEL.
Romans 9:5-6King James Version (KJV)
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not as though the WORD OF GOD HATH TAKEN NONE EFFECT. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Paul is clear in the sense above that a true Israel of God is HE WHO LISTENED AND OBEYED THE WORD OF GOD BASED ON THE COVENANTS AND PROMISES HE GAVE TO THE FOREFATHERS (hath taken none effect). Thus, in the above context of Romans 11 Paul used the remnants of Israel who did not worship the image of Baal.
WILD OLIVE TREE: JEWS AND GENTILES IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE
17 And if some of the BRANCHES BE BROKEN OFF (the unbelieving Israel in the prophetic time past administration of God), and THOU (Jew and Gentiles in the Dispensation of Grace), being a WILD OLIVE TREE, wert GRAFTED (ushered in by the process) in among THEM (as part covers in God's SPECIAL PLAN concerning His household over the ages), and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (Root and fatness indicates GOD'S BLESSING THROUGHOUT THE SAINTS IN HIS HOUSEHOLD with distinction at which period of time the "THOU" was grafted AFTER THE FALL OF ISRAEL AS A NATION FOR THE RICHES OF THE WORLD WITH EQUAL STANDING BEFORE GOD).
PAUL'S WARNING TO THE GENTILES TODAY
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.
Now that God deals people in the entire humanity without distinction through PAUL as an APOSTLE FOR THE GENTILES AND JEWS, today's privilege under the dispensation of grace and the salvation offered to them is something NOT TO BOAST. Let the lost today believe the gospel of the grace of God declared by Paul (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 20:24, Eph. 2:8-9) so that they will be part OF THE REMNANT IN ACCORDANCE TO THE ELECTION OF GRACE.
This is a dispensational truth Paul had mentioned that the branches were broken off, (unbelieving Jews in TIME PAST past under the economy of law and the kingdom aside from the remnants whom he foreknew) TAKE NOTE! THAT I MIGHT BE GRAFTED IN. Why PAUL might be grafted in? It is so because the presentation of the truth of the gospel of the GRACE OF GOD THAT BROUGHT SALVATION TO HUMANITY in our time, and that SAME GRACE APPEARED TO ALL MEN (Tit. 2: 11-12) was in effect of God's MINISTRY GIVEN TO PAUL WITH THE GOSPEL HE PREACHED. It's not through and in view of the 12 apostle's ministry.
WHAT CAUSED THE TIME PAST UNBELIEVING ISRAEL FELL OFF? SAME CAUSE TODAY'S UNBELIEVERS BE REMINDED
20 Well; because of UNBELIEF they were broken off, and THOU (Gentiles grafted in) standest BY FAITH (in the present Dispensation of grace) . Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the NATURAL BRANCHES (Prophetic unbelieving Jews) , take heed lest he also spare not THEE (the wild olive grafted Gentiles).
UNBELIEF caused why the nation Israel fell and this is the same cause also why many unbelieving JEWS AND GENTILES fall in our present time. This is a complete warning to all people in human race today to be keen to BELIEVE THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD and through it obtain salvation and victory from DEATH TO LIFE.
A CALL TO HUMANITY TO CLING ON TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD IN THIS DISPENSATION OF GRACE.
22 Behold therefore the GOODNESS AND SEVERITY (longsuffering) OF GOD: on THEM (National Israel) which fell, SEVERITY; but toward THEE (Gentiles grafted), GOODNESS, IF THOU CONTINUE IN HIS GOODNESS: otherwise thou also shalt be CUT OFF.
The opportunity today for the Gentiles is perfectly seen when our recent dispensation of grace has a demonstration expressing the character NATURE OF GOD AS GOOD and show GOODNESS. "If thou continue in his goodness" expresses an idea of STANDING THE FIRM FOUNDATION TO RELY ON THE GRACE OF GOD INSTEAD OF HUMAN WORKS as a substitute for the pure message of the grace of God for today's salvation. When a lost fell to believe the truth of the gospel for our salvation THE SAME HE SHALL BE CUT OFF.
WHAT ABOUT TODAY'S JEWS WHO WERE GOD'S COVENANTED PEOPLE BEFORE?
23 And THEY (Jews in general ) also, if THEY ABIDE NOT STILL IN UNBELIEF (after they also had chance of God's goodness today in the dispensation of grace), SHALL BE GRAFTED IN: for God is ABLE TO GRAFT THEM IN AGAIN.
24 For if THOU (national Israel) wert CUT OUT 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?
The grafting in again of the Jews speaks of the resumption of God's plan for the world to come AFTER THIS DISPENSATION OF GRACE. The NATURAL OLIVE TREE and THE WILD OLIVE TREE speaks of two distinct dispensations, administrations of God throughout times. Two groups of people in the family of God whom he foreknew did not worship the image of Baal (remnants according to prophecy) and the saints the body of Christ (the remnant according to the election of grace).
After this dispensation of grace, God's plan to restore the nation Israel above other nations in consonance to prophecy in time past shall continue. This will lead to the fulfillment of the prophecies about the restoration of God's kingdom, the reigning of Christ in David's throne.
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.
NATIONAL ISRAEL'S BLINDNESS TODAY
Paul has something to say ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S PLAN that blindness in part IS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL. This relates to the cutting short of God's NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THEM IN PROPHECY when this DISPENSATION OF GRACE was ushered in the time he called the apostle Paul. The FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES speaks of the hope of the Gentiles that come to an end which is the "CAUGHT UP" to meet Jesus Christ IN THE AIR.
PROPHECY AND MYSTERY DIFFERING GOSPEL
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
Ask yourself: Why Israel became enemies of the Gentiles concerning the gospel and yet because of election they ARE BELOVED FOR THE FATHER'S SAKE? (patriarchs). It is sound to understand that God's dealing to the nation of Israel in time past is so SPECIAL in terms of giving blessing compared to other nations. Take note the difference of calling
CHILDREN and DOGS.
Matthew 15:26King James Version (KJV)
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Mark 7:27King James Version (KJV)
27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
This was the status and provision in which the offering of the kingdom gospel made us differ between Jews and Gentiles in time past. This is the statement of Paul concerning the gospel previously declared to them they were Gentiles' enemies. However, in view of the program and God's dealing in that time, THEY WERE GOD'S BELOVED FOR THE FATHER'S SAKE AND IN MATTERS OF PROPHETIC ELECTION WHICH IS IN VIEW.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as YE (Gentiles) in TIMES PAST have not believed God, yet have NOW obtained mercy through their (ISRAEL) unbelief:
This is very plain that when you study Romans 11 carefully, we should also greatly CONSIDER TIME OR PERIOD OF OCCURRENCE IN ACCORDANCE TO GOD'S ADMINISTRATION. Gifts and God's calling are without repentance to mean due to his wisest counsel His ways are always PERFECT.
Gentiles were unbelievers AND NOT RECOGNIZED THE GOD OF ISRAEL in time past and when ISRAEL AS A NATION ALSO NOT BELIEVED GOD, He changed His attention to the Gentiles and NOW obtained MERCY THROUGH ISRAEL'S UNBELIEF.
31 Even so have these also NOW not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
All unbelievers today (Jews and Gentiles) had the chance to get access and obtain THROUGH GOD'S MERCY IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE.
Romans 5 King James Version (KJV)
5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 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.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.
GOD'S RECENT CONCLUSION TODAY FOR BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES
32 For GOD HATH CONCLUDED THEM ALL IN UNBELIEF, that HE MIGHT HAVE MERCY UPON ALL.
This is the truth why every lost in our present time must believe the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD COMMENDING THE LOVE OF GOD THROUGH THE DEATH OF CHRIST FOR THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS. God's mercy today is pure and we humbly believe this is based ON THE WISEST COUNSEL OF GOD THROUGHOUT AGES.
PAUL'S CONCLUSION:
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.
When there's an understanding of God's BLUEPRINT throughout times it's easier to appreciate THE DEPTH OF THE RICHES OF HIS KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.
it's all His ways we simply believe and follow. GLORY TO HIM WHO IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS.
Grace and Peace!
