In the remarkable epistle of Romans, the apostle Paul detailed God’s plan of salvation for all mankind. He connected the threads of this intricate theological tapestry in chapter 11, especially concerning Israel’s status. He began by clarifying that God has certainly not abandoned Israel, despite its rejection of Him (Romans 11:1). Paul brought his teaching to a prophetic climax, stating, “And so all Israel will be saved” (v. 26). These simple words are profound and uplifting. God has a future blessing for His people, Israel! So, why is the meaning behind Paul’s statement often misconstrued?
Who Is “All Israel”?
Over years of ministry, I have often been asked why there are so many different theological views, particularly in eschatology. My basic answer is always the same: “Where you begin determines where you end up!” Put another way, “The way you interpret Scripture governs your understanding of biblical teaching.” I am firmly committed to interpreting Scripture literally within its historical-grammatical context, seeking to ascertain the original intended meaning. This is an important starting point for all Bible study. Thus, we must read Romans 11 contextually, or Paul’s meaning may be lost under the weight of allegorical and/or confused theology.
Some theologians suggest that “all Israel” refers to the salvation of every Jewish person through all time. Some say it refers to the combination of Jewish and Gentile believers from all generations who together form “spiritual Israel” or “the church.” Yet others apply these words to the “chosen remnant” of Jewish believers through all time.
Now, this is where our system of interpretation is important. If we put aside all the commentaries on this verse and simply consider it literally and contextually, the meaning becomes clear, and confusion dissipates.
The Nation’s Salvation
In writing to a largely Gentile church in Rome, Paul warned them not to “boast against” the Jewish people (v. 18) nor “be wise in [their] own opinion” (v. 25). He then told them there is a “mystery” in what God is doing: 1) God is able to graft the Jewish people back into “the root” (vv. 19, 23); and 2) “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (v. 25).
In the fullness of God’s salvation plan, there will be a time of national salvation for Israel.
Israel was offered salvation in Christ (9:30—10:3), but, except for the remnant (11:5), the people rejected it and were ‘blinded’ (vv. 7–10). Salvation then came to the Gentiles “to provoke [the Jewish people] to jealousy” (v. 11), and Gentiles were grafted into the tree of faith. But, Paul argued, “If [the Jewish people] do not continue in unbelief” (v. 23), they will be re-grafted into the root they came from. And the best news: The blinding of Israel is temporary. Once God has completed His salvation work among the Gentiles, the blinding will be lifted, “and so all Israel will be saved.” (v. 26). In the fullness of God’s salvation plan, there will be a time of national salvation for Israel.
There is no mention here of the church or any other theological application. This refers clearly to the salvation of all Israel, as the text literally says. And Paul tells us the who, where, when, what and why of Israel’s salvation.
God’s Plan for Israel
Who? Paul wrote, “The Deliverer will come out of Zion” (v. 26). Here, Jesus is called “the Deliverer.” In the text from which this quote was taken, He is “the Redeemer” (Isaiah 59:20). There is no argument that this title refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself will come.
Where? He will “come out of Zion” (Isaiah 11:26; Isaiah 59:20 records “to Zion”). Specifically, Zion is a hill in Jerusalem. It is often used to refer to Jerusalem generally. So, His destination will be Jerusalem.
When? The Lord will come to Zion at His Second Coming (Zechariah 14:4).
What? “He will turn ungodliness away from Jacob” when He takes “away their sins” (Romans 11:26–27). This will be a time of deliverance both from the enemies of Israel and from Israel’s previous unbelief. This Scripture simply states that Israel’s ungodliness and sins are taken away at this time. Zechariah tells us that the Lord will fight for Israel and destroy the nations which come against Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:9). So, this time must come toward the end of the Tribulation period (Revelation 16:16; 19:11–21). At this time, with their “power… completely shattered” (Daniel 12:7), the Jewish people will mourn deeply as they finally recognize their Messiah and “look on Me whom they pierced” (Zechariah 12:10). And all Israel (still alive at that time) will be saved.
God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham has no expiration date!
Why? Because the Jewish people are still God’s Chosen People. Paul wrote, “Concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28–29). God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham has no expiration date!
The national salvation of all Israel, His covenant people, trusting fully in Yeshua (Jesus), will be fulfilled as the Lord returns to Jerusalem to save them and then to establish His Millennial Kingdom. Praise God that He has not forgotten—nor will forget—His promises to Israel… or to the church. Our God always keeps His Word!
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Comments 5
Jehovah is not a liar. Everything he has said has come true so far. Why would he lie about what’s to come?
Exactly!
Does the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13 apply primarily to Israel? If so, verse 30 states, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” This being so, how does this square with your interpretation of ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED?
A friend, now at home with the Lord, always maintained that the expression meant Jews from each of the Twelve Tribes!
What about Rom. 9:6 – “not all israel are of israel” so a remnant as always has been the case will be saved – not the whole nation.
Mr. Lituri doesn’t address the fact that he postulates a discrepancy in the Scriptures, specifically in Romans 9-11. In one instance Paul states all Israel will be saved but in another instance he states only a remnant will be saved. So how do we reconcile that discrepancy, that apparent contradiction? The Greek word rendered “saved” in English is SOZO. It’s also rendered as “delivered”. All Jews who are alive at Armageddon will be delivered from that event. Israel’s national salvation doesn’t depend on every single Jew being saved, only a majority. And we see from Zechariah 13:8 & 9, that 2/3 will perish. “Perish” doesn’t mean just physical death, it denotes that the soul will be separated from the presence of God. There is a judgment of the Jews similar to the gentile sheep/goat judgment, Ezekiel 20:33-38, that occurs after Armageddon and the second advent of Yeshua. There will be some individual Jews who will still have rejected Christ; they will fail the judgment and be relegated to Hades to await the great white throne judgment 1000 years later after the millennial kingdom. It is at the point when all Jews who pass the judgment will all be saved. We mustn’t confusethe national salvation of Israel with the individual salvation of the Jews.