MILLENNIUM MANIA IN ISRAEL

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ROMANS 11:26:
‘ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED’

The Misunderstood Scripture that is the Basis for ‘Millennium Madness’

'The world is carried on the back of a great elephant that is standing on the back of a giant turtle that is floating on a cloud. '

Here is the widely held religious idea that is just as illogical and impossible as the 'elephant on a turtle' fable -- and much more dangerous: 

some  time, within the next twenty years,^[1] i.e. soon, after two-hundred million Jews have lived and one-hundred-ninety-eight million have died in national disappointment, two million will return to God through Jesus, and this one per-cent of Israel is described here in Romans 11 :26 as “all Israel.” This position, with a thousand variations (none challenging the essence of the above), is the prevailing interpretation of Romans 11. But, it cannot be the thought that inspired Paul’s paean of praise with which the chapter closes.

Here is an attempt at the simple interpretation of the Biblical use of 'Israel'

above interpretation reduces the great Apostle to a foolish pedantic. It is insulting to Jews. It should be embarrassing to Christians. Few Israeli leaders realize that this is the cause for which Evangelical Christians are dancing in the streets of Jerusalem.^[2] We must spare them the horrendous descriptions of pain and death that these Christians believe are to befall much of the present citizenry of Israel in a period they call ‘THE’ time of Jacob’s trouble—THE GREAT TRIBULATION—much worse than any other period of the past. Funds are being raised in churches across the world to bring Jews from Russia to Israel so they can participate in this predicted holocaust—that is just around the corner--and whose beginning is hastened by the arrival of more émigrés in Israel.

    The great theologians, such as Calvin, Wesley and Hodge did not discuss this subject to the extent it was extended by John Nelson Darby in the last century, and now expanded by almost all of Evangelicalism and others. However, they did [mis]read this chapter as saying that a national conversion of ['genetic' -- of course, there is no such] Israel is promised. Matthew Henry (whom Wesley followed), for example, explicitly rejects any political promises of land and glory -- which is where the major problems arise. I, of course, am saying that these great men, nevertheless, misread the promises here and in other scriptures; their seemingly benign misreadings give an undue foundation for the errors of Darby and all Dispensationalists. The musician George F. Handel, and his friend, Charles Jennenes, understood the promises exactly as the Spirit intended and translated this appreciation into their great treasure of the Gospel. My understanding is exactly that which is celebrated in Handel’s Messiah.

It is absurd to read absurdities into a book from God. So let us assume: no absurdity in Romans Eleven. Let us look for an interpretation that is cause for celebration.

    The fact is that Paul is saying that, in fulfillment of the Law (Torah) and the Prophets, a number, many times greater than the total of all Jews (including all twelve tribes) of all history will gathered from all of history for the enjoyment of God throughout Eternity. All of this innumerable family are described as descendants of Father Abraham. The only manner in which this could be possible and consistent with a rational interpretation of the Old Testament Law and Prophets would be to consider Abraham as a spiritual father and not a genetic father. Therefore the promises were not to be fulfilled in geography and genetics. Paul concludes that this is not only a rational view but the intended meaning of God’s promises. All problems that plagued his mind (and once energized a bigoted and deadly rage) are solved and resolved. It is something to sing and dance and shout about. Unsearchable and unfathomable. Marvelous and humbling. Infinite and inclusive. Gracious and glorious. Mysterious and luminously transparent. To God be Glory.

Paul does say in this chapter that “all Israel shall be saved.”

Does Paul mean that every Jew who has ever lived will be saved? Does he say that every Jew who will be born after the date of his treatise will be saved? Does he proclaim that every Jew of a certain generation will be saved? Does he say that most Jews of any of these periods will be saved (Calvin, Hodge and Wesley)? Does he say that every Jew of any class or time will be saved.  (All agree that “Israel” and “Jew” mean the same thing.) Is he speaking absurdities and insults? Did the Jews of Europe suffer the sorrows of World War II so that a future generation of Jews could “all be saved”? Whether political or eternal salvation, many who suffered the Holocaust have chosen atheism over such an absurdity.

Paul does say: “all Israel shall be saved.” But this cannot mean any of the above possibilities, all of which are negated by impossibility. What else could he not mean? He could not mean anything that is impossible to understand, or that is absolutely offensive to common sense and justice.

His meaning (as Paul understood his own words) is so marvelous that it creates a euphoric exclamation of joy and wonder and totally enveloping gratitude for God’s wisdom. All the lurking questions that live in the consciousness and unconsciousness of Jews are answered. All the problems that confront the theology of Christians are similarly resolved by the disclosures discussed here.

What is Paul saying? What has God revealed to him that should cause the whole world to rejoice?

 is the fulfillment of all the promises and hopes of history. Every single person from Adam to the end of time who lives and dies in faith will enjoy all the blessing of God through Jesus, and are themselves, due to their association with Jesus (whom God had decreed from all Eternity past to be the Savior of the world), the fulfillment of the promises made to mankind through the fathers and the prophets. Israel has always been the Church, and the Church forever is The Israel of God. All Israel shall be saved. As a nation, political Israel enjoyed blessing by association with The LORD, as is the case today with all nations that acknowledge Jesus. Nations will fall and rise forever according to their association with the Gospel. Jesus, The Light of the World, is every nation’s hope of temporal glory, just as He is the soul’s hope of Heaven and salvation.

The difficult thing to understand is history. So much has occurred, so many events, so much interpretation, so much earthly ambition. But the true and eternal God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, could not be a tribal deity—an impossible thought (often acted upon -- tragically). He could never have meant to promise that one genetic tribe would rule the world, or even enjoy a divinely endowed prominence. Interpretations to this end were mistaken. The LORD is no respecter of persons or peoples. He never promised anything but a spiritual salvation for the eternal soul, though it was stated in geographic terms, and for a season had geographic significance (even genetic significance).  And He worked His plan of salvation through history, personal, national and international history.

Paul recognized the words ‘Israel’ and ‘Jew’ as synonyms for ‘recipients of the promised blessing.’ So, every person who enjoys the spiritual blessing of Jesus is ‘Israel’, and every single one enjoys salvation, and will enjoy salvation in the eternity to come. ‘All Israel shall be saved!’ Since the offer of this blessing is so compelling, a vast number will accept constituting  ‘the Israel of God.’ And this great multitude most fittingly fulfills the promise of ‘sands of the sea,’ and ‘stars of the sky’, as promised to Abraham, father of the ‘full of faith’ people.

This is what Christianity is about. It is simple, but very, very, very difficult to accept because of so many assumptions and predispositions. And, just because of the fact that the Old Testament is an account of history, political, tribal and geographical. But the interpretation is spiritual. Not a million spiritual ideas. Just one. God desires fellowship with man.

This paper is being written because the view here expressed is not the prevailing view of Evangelical Christianity today. Hal Lindsay, John Hagee, the Scofield Bible, Dallas Seminary, Billy Graham (even Bob Jones University, though the founder refused to put it in the creed of the institution); all these hold a view that is political, geographic and genetic when interpreting the promises, including Romans 11. They hold the view, a version of which is held by a significant segment of political Israel today, and was held by political Israel in the first century. In the first century, awful tragedy followed that view, and the same must be expected today. The great Jewish scholar, Hugh Sconfield, wrote, in The Passover Plot, that a mural of Jewish life in the 1^st century would have been attributed to a madman.

A Brief Look At Romans 11 

1. 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.

A relatively few Jerusalem Jews called for the crucifixion of Jesus. Are all Jews under a curse because of this. Certainly not. Paul had been of that very guilty clique. God sought him out and saved him.  No punishment, just unspeakable blessings. 

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.

Political Israel of the ancient past had gone into apostasy, but there was no universal curse and abandonment. The true, spiritual, Israel was right there, but hidden by the cloud of discouragment. 

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.

All who recognized the spiritual component of life as the controlling factor were the people of God and they were fully accepted though the majority had broken faith.

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 is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

  If this were simply a political question, all would be over. But it is more. It is spiritual, and it is about the generosity of God.  Grace is here contrasted with geography and genetics (seed). Grace was the elected means chosen by God, and those who accepted then and accept now and in the future are custodians of  ‘the election.’ They are ‘the election.’

  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.

The dominant figure of the Old Testament is David. He saw the clear distinction between the real ‘election’ and the apostate physical nation.

This is a quiet movement into highly charged territory. Selection; Election: the unique identity of a religious people. Israel is here separated from the Election. This why some Jews have so loathed the great Apostle for so long and so thoroughly.” He stole the election and gave it to the Gentiles.” His answer is that he had come to the profound insight that the birthright was spiritual from the beginning and that it belonged only and forever to the Israel of spiritual dedication to the one true and living God, the universal God who could never be the deity of a tribe. The Gentiles now have the election because a remnant of Jews accepted the position of election in Grace only and became the germ of the world-wide election that includes the faithful from all nations. God has elected that His people are only the people of faith; they are the elect regardless of any other consideration of geography, nationality or attainment.

The apostasy of a people brings consequences, but these pitiful results are not to be seen as total rejection from the offer of salvation and healing. Paul is simply remarking on these consequences as stated by the greatest figure of the OT, king David.

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? 

Does God kick the people who stumble? No! God is willing to include them in the elect at any time. In this case, the stumbling of Israel, even as it caused the death of the Messiah, has provided the offer of salvation to the world. Because of their unique position in history and the society of the world, why would not God and mankind desire the reversal of their attitude, since it would obviously be a great blessing for the entire world? Of course God wants the Jews to be saved, just as He wants all peoples to come to salvation. Humanity is one; and what one segment does affects all; and some segments, such as ethnic Israel, have long had a greater opportunity than their number indicates. 

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?

Paul was certainly of the opinion just stated: to just save some of them was a glowing thought of rapturous possibility. They were his natural family, the womb and cradle where he had first learned of God, however circumscribed that knowledge by ethnic and national pride and bigotry. Verse 15 is a grand compliment to the Jewish enthusiasm for God. Tragic when it rejects the knowledge of Grace, but marvelous beyond description when converted to the spiritual salvation of all nations through the loving generosity of the LORD. He speaks as they have been cast away, but, as he has earlier stated, they have not – they have simply stumbled. Jews are not cursed, they are invited. 

16.  For if the firstfruit 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 graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

 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 graffed in.

 20.  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be   not highminded, but fear:

 21.  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

 22.  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23.  And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24.  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 

The simple thought in the above passage is that Jews are just like all other nations. They can enjoy God’s fullest blessings at any time, just like everyone else. Apostasy brings sorrow to any who depart from the religion of faith and Grace. And, thought men gather dead limbs and burn them, God can, and will, graft any severed soul or people who wish to enjoy the life of the True  Vine.

 Jesus taught the Samaritan woman that “salvation is of the Jews,” and at the same time struck all concepts of geography and nationhood by continuing, “not in Jerusalem or this mountain, but in spirit and in truth shall men worship.” Paul expands on the same by emphatically remembering that Jesus was produced in the Jewish matrix of revealed truth and imposed traditionalism. Both played essential parts in the drama of the cross. So, for every reason, historic Jewry is welcome and desired in the living tree of the spiritual family of God. The living, non-national, international innumerable people who have found the meaning of time and eternity.

This living tree, planted in the mists of the morning of human history and sin, produces life and supports only life. The dead is cut away, but when life is chosen by anyone, a grafting is performed. Jesus claimed the same, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Again, Paul says that since national Israel planted this tree (vine) it would be contrary to God’s character to deny them and their descendents the welcome of enjoyment of the life that is in the eternal tree. The Jews themselves may say, “His blood be upon us and our children,” but God, through Paul in this passage, says, “No!” 

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. 

The first century Christians were intensely aware of he Jewish setting of Christianity. There was the temptation for the flood of non-Jews to clutch the idea that all Jews would carry an eternal anathema for the national rejection of their Messiah. All conclusions that would arise from this conviction would be negative and contrary to the call of the Gospel. 

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: 

It is all spiritual; sin is a stain upon the soul, a defacement of the image of the Creator. Right out of Jerusalem had come Jesus the Savior from sin, the Cleanser of sins. He has come to remove the scars of sin from Jew and Gentile. Political salvation is not contemplated.  It is not a thought here, or anywhere in this chapter. 

 27.  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

28.  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

29.  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Only those who oppose Christ are enemies. Most Jews would not be in this category at any time. When the Gospels recount how “the Jews” called for the death of Jesus, the context clearly shows that it was the bigoted elite who prized their positions. They were the spokesmen with power who also mercilessly hounded and oppressed their own countrymen, as St Matthew tells us. But, here, Paul groups oppressed and oppressor as one and declares that God loves them, as he does, and wants only the very best for them – eternal salvation through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah of Mankind. 

30.  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

   31.  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also  may obtain mercy.

   33.  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

All of the Apostle’s thoughts are summed up in verse 32: all Jews are simply believers or unbelievers; all are sinners and all can be saved. God and Paul want all to be saved.

This paper cannot be concluded, however, without observing that the later thoughts imposed upon this portion of Holy Scripture were nowhere near the mind of Paul. They are the residues of History. That God has given real estate to the Jewish religion or those of Jewish ethnic identity and that Christians should support claims on this property is nowhere hinted at in the New Testament. 

34.  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!

35.  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

36.  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

37.  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 

This great anthem of praise for the wisdom and goodness of God could only arise from the universal offer of salvation that fulfills all the promises made to the ancient church that was enclosed in the ancient people.

  (If you can help me state this more clearly please drop a suggestion; email)

"In a speech [in Williamsburg, VA] about the concern people have over the new millennium, the Rev. Jerry Falwell said the Antichrist is probably alive today and is a male Jew.

Falwell also told about 1,500 people at a conference in Kingsport, Tenn., on Thursday that he believes the second coming of Christ probably will be within 10 years."...

"Rabbi James Rudin of the American Jewish Committee in New York said the comment surprised him because he knows Falwell is a strong supporter of Israel and is not anti-Jewish.

`'This is part of what I call millennial madness,' Rudin said. `To single out any one man, and particularly to identify him as Jewish, plays into some latent and historical anti-Semitism from the past.

`This is very, very radioactive material. I think Christian leaders have to exercise great care because this can produce negative responses among people who are not educated in the New Testament,' he said. "                  

^[2] Today’s paper, 1/4/99, carries the story of Christian fanatics who are being deported by Israel because they are, allegedly, espousing a quite extreme version of the theory opposed in this paper. The sad fact is that these [types] are the less dangerous apocalyptic devotees. They are few, and like the Waco fanatics, usually harm only themselves and their loved ones (not to forget the lawmen who died at Waco), and maybe spin off actions like Oklahoma City. These dangers certainly are not to be minimized; I am saying that they do not compare with starting a World War, which the good-looking, devout dispensationalists are longing for, and, together with Jewish soul mates in Israel, can bring to reality. And these extremists in Judaism cannot be ignored either, for they also dream of a disastrous day after which they will rule the world. I t was these same Jewish dreams that caused the real ‘Jacob’s Trouble’ in the first century during which more that a million Jews died in civil wars and attacks by Rome, culminating in the suicide at Masada—an event actually celebrated by some modern Jews. The conditions that produced the horrors of A.D. 70 are being recreated today, but the results will be much more disastrous. My plea is to Jew and Christian alike: Please stop paving the road to death with beliefs that are similar to the micro-extremists. God wants truth and love to rule the world, not ‘Christians’ or ‘Jews’ or ‘Muslims’ or any other group.

[3]