God says, “All Israel shall be saved [to eternal life with God].” Romans 11:26. But are there any conditions for the saving of Israel by God?

This is the question I will answer in this post by giving a detailed explanation of three chapters of the Bible, specifically, Chapters 9, 10, and 11, of the book in the Bible with the title Romans.

Now, to answer a question that you may already have, What does “Romans 11:26” mean? It is an example of Bible notation, in that, it is a way of referencing the Bible which is a collection of books. As it is, each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. For example, the Bible notation “Romans 11:26” refers to the book of Romans, the 11^th chapter, and the 26^th verse of Chapter 11.

Who or What is God?

I have said that God speaks about the saving of Israel in the Bible, But who or what is God?

Well, on reading the Bible, you will find that “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family made up of three Persons. So, God is a Person or, rather, Persons, and not a thing or things.

And God describes Himself in the Bible by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. That is to say, each of the three members of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others. In fact, this love is the only definition of true love in the universe.

And, No, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. For there has never been nor ever will be any disagreement or contention among them. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

Furthermore, each Person in the Godhead, the divine Family, is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

And the names of these three Persons in the Godhead are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 51:11.

OK, with this understanding of who God is, a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,000 years ago.

Our Bible Quotation of Focus

Our Bible quotation of focus in this post follows. Note first, though, that the people of Israel are called “Israelites” (Exodus 9:7) or “Jews” (2 Kings 16:6) in the Bible.

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit [in the mind], and not in the letter [of the Ceremonial Laws]; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28, 29. Here we have a statement in the Bible directly related to the issue of the saving of Israel.

Now, when we think of the saving of Israel in light of God saying, “All Israel shall be saved [to eternal life with God]” (Romans 11:26), we might interpret this to mean: “All Jews (Israelites) shall be saved.”

But our Bible quotation of focus makes a distinction between who qualifies to be called a Jew, and who is disqualified to be called a Jew. What then does this mean with respect to the saving of Israel?

This is an important question. For it is one of those things of which God says, “As also in all his epistles [in his, the apostle Paul’s, letters], speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist from their true meaning, that is, pervert], as they do also the other scriptures [the other texts of the Bible], unto their own destruction [to their own eternal death (annihilation by God) for sin, which is evil and wrongdoing].” 2 Peter 3:16.

The saving of Israel is a key issue for the correct interpretation of the whole Bible. Therefore, God devotes three chapters of the Bible in the book of Romans to this very subject, namely, Chapters 9, 10, and 11.

Of course, more is said elsewhere in the Bible about the saving of Israel. But if you understand Romans Chapters 9, 10, and 11, correctly, you will find the issue to be clear and that all Bible statements are, in fact, in harmony with each other.

Israel in the Bible

To begin to understand the subject of the saving of Israel, we must first trace human history from its very beginnings.

Where can we find this history? In God’s own words, the Bible.

The Concept of the Saving of Israel

The human race began when God created a man named Adam and a woman named Eve. Both Adam and Eve had a character of love just like God’s character.

However, Adam and Eve fell into sin, which is evil and wrongdoing, when they yielded to the temptations of an angel named Satan.

Who is Satan? He is an angel whose original name was “Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:12) and who sinned in heaven by rebelling against God. Satan also caused some of the other angels to join him in his rebellion against God.

And, because Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) became fixed in their evil ways, God cast them all out of heaven pending God’s Judgment Day.

Here is where we find the beginnings of the concept of the saving of Israel. How? Well, all the descendants of Adam and Eve have inherited their disposition to sin, and so these descendants too have sinned.

Now, God says, “The wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

So then, every human being is in need of being saved to eternal life with God. Hence, we come to the concept of the saving of Israel to eternal life with God.

How can you be saved by God to eternal life? The simple answer is by allowing God to change your heart from sinfulness to perfect love.

Naturally, questions arise regarding this concept of the saving of Israel? Questions such as, What is so special about the nation of Israel? Are they the only nation to be saved by God to eternal life? Continue reading and I will explain all of this.

The History of Israel

Wickedness on earth became so great that God destroyed all living things on land, and in the air, by a worldwide flood, except for eight persons.

These eight persons were a godly man named Noah, his three sons, and their wives. However, not long after the flood, wickedness again became widespread on earth.

God’s Covenant (Contract) With Abraham

In response to the rise of wickedness once again on the earth, God called a godly man named Abram (later called Abraham) and promised to bless all humanity through him. How? By Jesus Christ being born into the world as one of Abraham’s descendants.

You may be wondering what does Abraham have to do with the saving of Israel? Well, “the LORD [God] appeared to Abram [Abraham], and said unto him [Abraham], I am the Almighty God; walk before me [live according to God’s ways of love], and be thou perfect [in love]. And I [God] will make my covenant [my contract] between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.” Genesis 17:1, 2.

Here we see that God made a covenant (a contract) with Abraham. Thus, Abraham’s part of the contract was to live in perfect love and, therefore, as a result of Abraham’s character of love, God’s part of the contract (God’s promise) was to give Abraham many descendants. Of course, one of Abraham’s descendants was to be Jesus Christ as promised by God.

So, we see that this covenant (contract) between God and Abraham was conditional on Abraham living in perfect love. Likewise, this condition would apply to all of Abraham’s descendants and, so, ultimately, would apply to the saving of Israel.

For “God talked with him [Abraham], saying, As for me [God], behold, my covenant [contract] is with thee [Abraham], and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” Genesis 17:3, 4. Here we get an additional insight as to how God’s covenant (contract) with Abraham relates to the saving of Israel.

That is, God says “And I [God] will make thee [Abraham] exceeding fruitful [in that, you will perfectly display God’s character of love], and I [God] will make nations of thee [Abraham], and kings shall come out of thee [Abraham]. And I will establish my covenant [contract] between me [God] and thee [Abraham] and thy seed [your descendants] after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed [to your descendants] after thee.” Genesis 17:6, 7.

Note carefully that God does not say that Abraham would be the father of only one nation. But rather that Abraham would be a father of many nations. This concept is foundational to understanding the saving of Israel.

Further, God said to Abraham, “And I [God] will give unto thee [Abraham], and to thy seed [to your descendants] after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their [your descendants’] God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant [contract] therefore, thou, and thy seed [your descendants] after thee in their generations.” Genesis 17:8, 9.

Here God covenanted (contracted) to give to Abraham and to his descendants the Promised Land, that is to say, the land of Canaan. This promise was not only literal but symbolic, wherein the land of Canaan symbolized the heavenly Canaan, or eternal life in heaven itself.

Thus, we see that the concept of the saving of Israel meant the gift by God of eternal life in heaven to all Israel.

The Sign of God’s Covenant with Abraham

Moreover, God said to Abraham, “This is my [God’s] covenant [contract], which ye [Abraham] shall keep, between me [God] and you [Abraham] and thy seed [your descendants] after thee; Every man [male] child among you shall be circumcised.” Genesis 17:10.

“And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token [sign] of the covenant [contract] betwixt [between] me [God] and you [Abraham].” Genesis 17:11.

What did this mean regarding the saving of Israel? It meant that God gave to Abraham a physical sign that pointed to God’s covenant (contract) with Abraham. It did not mean that physical circumcision guaranteed that Abraham and his descendants would all be saved to eternal life with God.

The only guarantee was, if Abraham and his descendants lived in perfect love, God would grant them eternal life with Him.

That is, it is the sin, which is evil and wrongdoing, of all humanity that when replaced by perfect love in human hearts by God that guarantees eternal life to such persons.

So then, the saving of Israel would not be conditional upon the physical sign of circumcision.

God’s Covenant (Contract) with Israel

Now, God’s covenant (contract) was passed on to Abraham’s son, Isaac, and to Isaac’s son, Jacob (later called Israel).

As it happened, Jacob’s (Israel’s) descendants, the Israelites, became slaves in Egypt but God saved the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt. Here again we have the concept of the saving of Israel.

And God said to the nation of Israel “Now therefore, if ye [Israel] will obey my [God’s] voice indeed, and keep my covenant [my contract with you], then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.” Exodus 19:5.

Here we see that God says that there is a covenant (contract) between God Himself and the nation of Israel. Hence, the saving of Israel is conditional upon Israel doing their part in fulfilling their covenant with God. That is to say, conditional on Israel obeying God’s voice, or in other words, conditional upon Israel living in perfect love. Then, and only then, will God fulfill His part of the covenant which is the saving of all Israel to eternal life with God.

So, to answer the question, What is so special about Israel? “because he [God] would keep the oath [promise] which he had sworn unto…[their] fathers, [Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob].” Deuteronomy 7:8.

And to answer the question, Is Israel the only nation to be saved by God to eternal life? The answer is, No. Certainly not!

For God’s desire in preserving Israel as a righteous, holy nation was that they should be “a light [of the God’s ways of love] to the Gentiles [to the non-Jewish nations].” Isaiah 49:6. Thus, the non-Jewish nations might learn God’s ways of love and, hence, if the non-Jewish nations lived in perfect love they would be saved from annihilation by God for their sins.

In this way then the saving of Israel was to be blessing to the world.

God’s Rejection of Israel

Eventually, approximately 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born into the world as a Jew, a descendant of Abraham as promised by God. Jesus’ mission to humanity was the saving of Israel and the non-Jewish nations, in other words, the saving of the whole world from annihilation because of their sins.

“But Jeshurun [Israel] waxed [figuratively speaking, grew] fat, and kicked” (Deuteronomy 32:15) like a horse or cow. For they despised and rejected Christ and completely ignored the fact that Jesus came to the earth for the saving of Israel as well as the non-Jewish nations.

Therefore, Jesus Christ, God Himself, said to the Jews, “Behold, your house [your nation] is left unto you desolate [of God’s favour].” Matthew 23:38. “The kingdom of God [Eternal life] shall be taken from you [Israel], and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits [the blessings] thereof [of being an example of perfect love, that is to say, given to the Christian church].” Matthew 21:43.

And ever since Christ said these words, the questions have arisen, Does this mean that there will be no saving of Israel? Does it mean that no Jew can be saved to eternal life? But God says, “All Israel shall be saved [to eternal life with God]” (Romans 11:26), Has God contradicted Himself?

Well, we will now turn to Romans Chapters 9, 10, and 11 for answers to these questions.

The Apostle Paul’s Sorrow Over the Saving of Israel

You should know that the book of Romans in the Bible is actually a letter that was written by the apostle Paul to the Christian church in the city of Rome in Italy.

Paul, a Jew, was no ordinary disciple of Jesus Christ, for he was specially chosen by Christ. To Paul was given the mission to spread the message of salvation (the saving from eternal death which is to be annihilated by God) all over the world.

Romans 9:1 I [Paul] say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit],

Romans 9:2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Here Paul is expressing his concern about the saving of Israel for the Jews had rejected Christ, the only One through whom humanity could be saved to eternal life. And, as a result, God had rejected the Jewish nation, Israel, as God’s peculiar treasure.

Romans 9:3 For I [Paul] could wish that myself were accursed from [cursed by] Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh [for my fellow Jews by blood relation].

That is, Paul is willing to give up his hope of eternal life for the saving of Israel.

Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites [Jews]; to whom pertaineth the adoption [by God as His peculiar people], and the glory [the visible manifestation of God’s presence], and the covenants [the binding contracts between God and the Jews], and the giving of the law [the giving of the ten commandments (the Moral Law) and the Ceremonial Laws by God], and the service of God [the sanctuary services], and the promises [made by God to Abraham].

So, Paul outlines the many privileges which God had bestowed upon the Jews for the saving of Israel.

Romans 9:5 Whose are the fathers [namely, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,] and of whom as concerning the flesh [as concerning blood relation] Christ came [into the world], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

For Paul is here saying that Christ, who is God Himself, was born into the world as a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to be a Saviour (the One who saves to eternal life) for all humanity.

That is, Jesus Christ was born not only for the saving of Israel, but also for the saving of the entire human race from annihilation.

Abraham’s Descendants and the Saving of Israel

Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.

Paul’s point here is that his grief for his fellow countrymen must not be understood, must not be interpreted, to mean the failure of God’s promises regarding the saving of Israel.

Spiritual Israel

For Paul says that not all who are biologically descended from Jacob (Israel) really belong to the spiritual “Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16.

Who then are the people who make up spiritual Israel? Any human being, wherever they may live across the world and whether they are Jewish or not, whose hearts have been changed by God from sinfulness to perfect love. These only are the special people to whom the saving of Israel refers.

Thus, Paul here refers to the symbolism of God’s covenant (contract) with the nation of Israel for the purpose of God regarding the saving of Israel.

What is this symbolism? Well, Paul had earlier stated in his letter to the Christians in Rome, Italy: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit [in the mind], and not in the letter [of the Ceremonial Laws]; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28, 29.

That is, God’s covenant (contract) regarding the saving of Israel was not to the Jews because they were physically circumcised. Rather, the saving of Israel was, instead, promised to those whose hearts and minds had been spiritually circumcised by God taking away these persons’ evil ways through pouring God’s love into their hearts.

In other words, God never covenanted (promised), in the saving of Israel, to save Jews who were sinners to eternal life with God.

Here Paul was contradicting the firm belief of the Jews that physical circumcision guaranteed that you would be a part of the saving of Israel by God.

The Distinction Between Abraham’s Sons

Romans 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed [descendants] of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac [Abraham’s son] shall thy seed [descendants] be called.

Here Paul refers to Isaac and Ishmael, two of the sons of Abraham, to make his point regarding the saving of Israel. That is, God’s promises to Abraham, including the promise that Jesus Christ would be a descendant of Abraham, was through Isaac’s descendants and not through Ishmael’s descendants.

So, just because Ishmael was a son of Abraham did not mean that Christ, the human race’s Deliverer from sin and annihilation by God, would be born as Ishmael’s descendant.

Now, this did not mean that Ishmael and his descendants could not be saved to eternal life by God, but that God had chosen Isaac’s descendants to be God’s light of truth to the world by the birth of Jesus Christ.

Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the [physical] flesh [of Abraham], these are not the [spiritual] children of God: but the children of the promise [concerning Isaac] are counted [by God] for the seed [the spiritual descendants].

Romans 9:9 For this is the word of promise [to Abraham], At this time will I [God] come, and [I, God, promise that] Sara shall have a son [named Isaac].

Here Paul refers to the fact that the birth of Isaac was a miracle by God since Isaac was born to Abraham when he was 100 years old, and when Abraham’s wife Sara was 90 years old. So, just as Isaac was promised by God to Abraham, so only those who have allowed God to spiritually circumcise their hearts and minds, as God had promised, will be a part of the saving of Israel.

The Distinction Between Isaac’s Sons

Paul continues by saying to the Jews in Rome,

Romans 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca [Isaac’s wife] also had conceived [twins] by one, even by our [the Jews’] father Isaac [by biological descent];

Romans 9:11 (For the [twin] children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election [according to God’s choosing] might stand, not of works [to save oneself by one’s efforts, apart from God’s work, to overcome sin], but of him [God] that calleth;)

Romans 9:12 It was said unto her [Rebecca by God], The elder [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob].

Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I [God] loved, but Esau have I [God] hated.

Here Paul gives a clearer illustration regarding God’s principle in the saving of Israel. That is, it might be reasoned by the Jews that God’s choosing of Isaac instead of Ishmael is easily understood. For Isaac’s mother, Sarah, was Abraham’s wife, but Ishmael’s mother, Hagar, was a slave.

But Paul says that God’s choosing of Jacob instead of Jacob’s twin brother, Esau, could not be explained in this way since they both had the same parents.

Why then did God choose Jacob? The reason is that, from the time that intelligence dawned in the twins while they while they were in the womb, God saw that Esau would never turn from his evil ways in which he would be born. But God knew that there was hope that Jacob would turn from the sinful nature in which he would be born and instead choose God’s ways of love.

Thus, Paul makes the point that, regarding the saving of Israel, God’s promise to Abraham only belonged to spiritual descendants of Abraham like Jacob. Esau was excluded from the saving of Israel because he would become permanently fixed his evil ways.

This was a hard teaching for the Jews, because their most cherished belief was that simply by being a biological descendant of Abraham guaranteed that one would be a part of the saving of Israel by God.

God’s Mercy and the Saving of Israel

Paul now goes on to say,

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid [Certainly not!].

For we can truthfully say of God, “O LORD [God] of hosts, [you are He] that judgest righteously” (Jeremiah 11:20), that “shall justify [defend the rights of] the righteous, and condemn the wicked.” Deuteronomy 25:1. So then, the saving of Israel is not subject to unjust actions of God.

Romans 9:15 For he [God] saith to Moses, I [God] will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Now, since we know that God is just, in that, God always does what is right, we know that “the LORD…God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible [an awesome God], which regardeth not persons [does not have favourites], nor taketh reward [nor takes bribes].” Deuteronomy 10:17.

Therefore, God showing mercy to some and compassion to some, and likewise God’s purpose regarding the saving of Israel, was not based on arbitrary judgment. For “the LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works [all His creation].” Psalm 145:9.

Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth [not according to a person’s own will], nor of him that runneth [nor according to a person’s great exertion to earn salvation by their own works], but of God that sheweth [shows] mercy.

Thus, the saving of Israel is completely according to “the counsel of his [God’s] own will.” Ephesians 1:11. And, in light of this, we should understand that God “will have all men [all humanity] to be saved [by God to eternal life], and to come unto the knowledge of the truth [about God].” 1 Timothy 2:4.

Romans 9:17 For the scripture [the Bible] saith unto Pharaoh [king of Egypt], Even for this same purpose have I [God] raised thee up, that I [God] might shew [show] my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he [God] mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Here God says that just like how Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God’s merciful, revealed will of perfect love, the nation of Israel hardened their own hearts against the very same thing.

For God, in His mercy, had sent Jesus Christ to Israel as he had promised Abraham to be a blessing to the whole world, but the Jews had hardened their hearts against Christ and rejected Him.

Hence, God had no choice but to take away the blessing of the saving of Israel from the Jews and to give it to the Christian church which was established by Christ Himself. That is to say, in all of God’s actions regarding the saving of Israel, God was only doing that which was right.

God’s Work and the Saving of Israel

Anticipating another objection by the Jews, Paul continues by saying,

Romans 9:19 Thou [the Jews] wilt say then unto me [Paul], Why doth he [God] yet find fault [with the Jews]? For who hath resisted his [God’s] will?

Here the Jews are arguing that they have not resisted God’s will at all, and if their hearts have been hardened, it is because God caused it to be so. Therefore, according to the Jews, God has no right to take away the blessing of the saving of Israel from the Jews.

Paul answers the Jews’ objection, saying,

Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against [that contradicts] God? Shall the thing formed say to him [God] that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Here Paul gets to the root of the issue, for the Jews are really saying that they cannot help but sin for God made them sinful. Thus, by implication, the Jews are finding fault with God for causing all humanity to inherit the sinful disposition of Adam and Eve.

In essence then, the Jews are saying that God should not take away the blessing of the saving of Israel because of their sins.

But Paul counters this argument by saying,

Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Here Paul does not mean that God arbitrarily chooses some people to be annihilated by God, and some to be saved to eternal life.

The thought from God here is that just as the sun hardens clay and melts butter, so God’s merciful dealings with humanity has different results. Some people’s hearts are hardened in their evil ways, while the hearts of others are melted into perfect love for God and their fellow human being.

The loss of the blessing of the saving of Israel then is entirely due to the Jews’ response to God’s mercy and goodness towards them.

Thus, Paul asks,

Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath [His fierce anger], and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath [of His fury] fitted to destruction [to annihilation]:

Romans 9:23 And that he [God] might make known the riches of his glory [of His perfect love] on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore [beforehand] prepared unto glory [to display God’s perfect love],

Romans 9:24 Even us [Christians], whom he [God] hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles [non-Jews]?

Here Paul now comes to the saving of Israel meaning the saving of spiritual Israel, “the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16. That is, Paul notes that both individual Jews and individual non-Jews (Gentiles) are called to be a part of the Christian church as the disciples of Jesus Christ.

And this is after God’s long-suffering toward the nation of Israel who had resisted God’s will for the saving of all Israel. Thus, in contrast with Jewish stubbornness in sin, the willingness of some non-Jews (Gentiles) to allow God to transform them from sinfulness to perfect love demonstrates the riches of God’s blessings upon all humanity.

Here then God gives us to understand that when He speaks of the saving of Israel, He, God, means the saving of spiritual Israel made up of those whose hearts God had transformed to perfect love. So, we see then, all Israel, which is to say, all spiritual Israel will be saved by God to eternal life.

Romans 9:25 As he [God] saith also in Osee [in the book of Hosea in the Bible], I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Romans 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

Here God is saying that, regarding the saving of Israel which is the saving of spiritual Israel, the non-Jewish nations had been rejected by God and were not God’s people because of their sins. However, the Jews were called by God to attract individual non-Jews, and even whole non-Jewish nations, to God by the Jews’ own holiness.

Such non-Jewish persons and nations “that feareth [reverenced] him [God], and worketh righteousness” (Acts 10:35), God would call His beloved people and the children of the living God. Thus, the Jews had completely misunderstood God’s purpose in the saving of Israel.

The Remnant and the Saving of Israel

Paul now continues by saying,

Romans 9:27 Esaias [Isaiah, a prophet of God,] also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children [the nation] of Israel be as the sand of the sea, [only] a remnant shall be saved:

Romans 9:28 For he [God] will finish the work [of saving human beings to eternal life], and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord [God] make upon the earth.

Here God points out that, as regards the saving of Israel, only a small number, a remnant of the nation of Israel, would qualify to be a part of spiritual Israel. For not only would God bring an end to the almost 1,500-year probation God had given Israel to fulfill their God-given mission to the world, but God would soon bring an end to the human race’s probation.

That is, regarding the saving of Israel which is the saving of spiritual Israel, God would not allow the world to continue in its wickedness forever.

Romans 9:29 And as Esaias [Isaiah] said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth [Lord God of hosts] had left us a seed [a remnant], we had been as Sodoma [Sodom], and been made like unto Gomorrha [Gomorrah].

So, to reinforce His point, God refers to the time of the prophet Isaiah when there was only a small number of people, a remnant, left after their enemies, the Assyrians, had conquered much of the territory of the Jews.

That is, by the mercy of God who was ever working for the saving of Israel, the Jewish nation was not completely annihilated like the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were. Thus, God promised that there would indeed be some Jews, a remnant, who would be saved to eternal life.

Righteousness by Faith and the Saving of Israel

Having made clear his reasoning concerning the saving of Israel as really being the saving of spiritual Israel, Paul moves on and says,

Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles [the non-Jews], which followed not after righteousness [by the works of the law], have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness [by their own works], hath not attained to the law of righteousness [by faith].

Here Paul gets to the root cause of why the majority of Jews would not be a part of the saving of Israel, but some of the non-Jews (Gentiles) would be.

The reason is that the Jews believed that by being a biological descendant of Abraham, by being physically circumcised as a male, and by observing all the Ceremonial Laws associated with the sanctuary (a centre in Israel for the worship of God), they had earned the right to be a part of the saving of Israel. In other words, God, therefore, owed it to the Jews to save them to eternal life.

Righteousness by Faith versus The Works of the Law

Now, the real difference between the Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles) was that the Jews, in seeking to be a part of the saving of Israel, sought it by what is known as “the works of the law.” Galatians 2:16. What they should have done instead is to seek for inclusion in the saving of Israel by what is known as “righteousness by faith” (Galatians 5:5), otherwise known as justification by faith. The two things are worlds apart.

In essence, the difference between the two things is that in the works of the law a person seeks to display perfect love by their own efforts apart from God.

But in righteousness by faith a person yields to the Holy Spirit so that he or she chooses to turn away from all their sins and, thus, God has given them the gift of repentance which is deep sorrow and remorse for their own sins. Now everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit. After repentance then, if they exercise God’s gift of faith to believe in Christ, God gives them the gift of perfect love in their heart. This is righteousness (justification) by faith which, after the testing and proving by God to see if a person has overcome all temptations to sin, leads to the final state of sanctification by faith when they are qualified to be saved to eternal life.

The point of all this is that, if anyone is a part of the saving of Israel, which is actually the saving of spiritual Israel, it will only be the result of their cooperation with God’s work in them and the result of the gifts of God. For they were forgiven of their sins by the substitution of Christ’s sacrificial death in the place of their death for their own sins.

The Obstacle to the Jews

Paul now asks,

Romans 9:32 Wherefore [Why have many Jews failed to be a part of the saving of Israel]? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Romans 9:33 As it is written [in the Bible], Behold, I [God] lay in Sion [Zion, that is, Israel] a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed [on God’s Judgment Day].

What was the stumbling stone, the obstacle, that kept many of the Jews from being a part of the saving of Israel? It was their rejection of Jesus Christ, the One sent from God to the earth to save humanity from their sins.

Paul Sums Up Israel’s Failure

Romans 10:1 Brethren, [Paul says,] my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved [to eternal life].

Romans 10:2 For I [Paul] bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to [a correct] knowledge [of God].

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Thus, Paul sums up the failure of many Jews to be a part of the saving of Israel as their failure to submit themselves to God’s method of saving people to eternal life.

Romans 10:4 For [God’s gift of the perfect love of] Christ [in a person’s heart] is the end of the [works of the] law for righteousness to every one that believeth [in Christ’s work for the saving of humanity to eternal life].

Here Paul repeats his point, the saving of Israel is the result of God’s gift to a person of the perfect love in Christ’s heart and not the result of the works of the law by the person.

Faith in Jesus Christ and the Saving of Israel

Paul now continues, saying,

Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the [works of the] law, That the man which doeth those things shall live [eternally] by them.

God is here pointing to the impossibility of being a part of the saving of Israel (the saving of spiritual Israel) by means of the works of the law. “For all [humanity] have sinned, and come short of the glory [the perfect love] of God.” Romans 3:23. And the wages of sin is eternal death, which is to be annihilated by God. There is no escape except through the work of Christ for the human race.

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise [speaks in this way], Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

Romans 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh [near] thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Here God is saying that Christ has risen from the dead and, therefore, Christ’s work on behalf of humanity for the saving of Israel (the saving of spiritual Israel) was successful.

This means that the evidence of a person having obtained righteousness by faith is that they agree with (confess) all that God declares to be true, and that they sincerely believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead (resurrected) by God to live again forever and the consequent judgment to come with its penalty of eternal death (annihilation) for those who cling to their evil ways. These two things, God says, guarantees that you will be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man [a person] believeth [in Christ] unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed [on God’s Judgment Day].

Here God repeats in different words the same two conditions that if met will guarantee that you will be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 10:12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek [the non-Jew]: for the same Lord [God] over all is rich [in blessings] unto all that call upon him [God in sincere faith].

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [in sincere faith] shall be saved [shall be a part of the saving of Israel to eternal life].

Note that those who will be a part of the saving of Israel must have the genuine faith received from God, which results in their receiving God’s gift of perfect love, and not the faith which only amounts to words without a heart of perfect love.

Preaching of the Gospel and the Saving of Israel

Paul next says,

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him [Christ] in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him [Christ] of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

All this God had called upon the Jews to do if they were to be a part of the saving of Israel. They should have preached about Christ, as revealed in their Scriptures and the Ceremonial Laws, so that non-Jews would believe in Christ and call upon Him in sincere faith.

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written [in the Bible], How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace [the good news of the saving of spiritual Israel], and bring glad tidings of good things!

So, whereas the Jews were called by God to attract non-Jews to God by their holiness, God now sends the Christian church (both Jewish and non-Jewish members) into the world to preach the good news of how to be a part of the saving of Israel (the saving of spiritual Israel).

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias [Isaiah] saith, Lord [God], who hath believed our report?

Here Isaiah refers to the Jews’ unbelief in God’s method of making them a part of the saving of Israel. For this gospel (God’s plan to save humanity from annihilation through Christ) had been preached by God to Adam, Eve, and Abraham among others, and passed on from them by godly men and women from generation to generation. But the Jews, through their unbelief, refused to obey God’s preaching to them.

Romans 10:17 So then [genuine] faith cometh by hearing [by obeying God who is supernaturally speaking to your heart and mind], and hearing [obeying] by the word of God [by understanding the truths of God].

Here God is saying that He supernaturally “speaks,” not necessarily audibly, to every human being’s reason and conscience causing those who do not resist God to see their own sins and to turn away from all of their sins. For these are the first steps to obtaining righteousness by faith and, hence, being a part of the saving of Israel.

God Speaks and the Saving of Israel

Paul continues,

Romans 10:18 But I [Paul] say, Have they [the Jews] not heard? Yes verily [truly], their sound [the Christians, the disciples of Christ’s preaching] went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

So, God says the Jews cannot say that they have not heard the truth from the Christians about how to be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 10:19 But I [Paul] say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I [God] will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I [God] will anger you.

Here God says that the Jews should have known and understood that it was God’s plan that non-Jews were to be a part of the saving of Israel. For God knew that the Jews would be jealous and angry at God’s plan to save non-Jews to eternal life.

Romans 10:20 But Esaias [Isaiah] is very bold, and saith, I [God] was found of them that sought me not; I [God] was made manifest [evident] unto them that asked not after me.

In fact, even the Jews’ own prophet from God, Isaiah, had prophesied that non-Jews would come to have a correct knowledge of God and, hence, be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 10:21 But to Israel he [God] saith, All day long I [God] have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying [opposing] people.

But God says that the Jews were disobedient to, and resisted, God’s plan to make all human beings a part of the saving of Israel.

God’s Grace and the Saving of Israel

Paul moves on to make another point by saying,

Romans 11:1 I [Paul] say then, Hath God cast away his people [the Jews]? God forbid [Certainly not!]. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed [descendants] of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Here Paul is saying that God has not cast away him, Paul, who is a Jew from being a part of the saving of Israel. This is evidence, therefore, that God has not cast away the Jews.

Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot [Know] ye not what the scripture [the Bible] saith of [God’s prophet] Elias [Elijah]? how he maketh intercession [prayer] to God against Israel, saying,

Romans 11:3 Lord [God], they [the Jews] have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I [Elijah] am left alone, and they seek my life.

But even Elijah the prophet, who preached to the Jews concerning the true God to whom belonged the saving of Israel, prayed to God about the Jews’ stubbornness and unbelief in killing the prophets of God.

Romans 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him [Elijah]? I [God] have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee [in worship] to the [idol] image of Baal.

Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of [according to God’s choosing by His] grace [God’s unmerited favour].

Here God corrects and comforts the fearful Elijah that there were at least 7,000 people in Israel who had not worshipped the false God, Baal. This remnant was chosen by God according to God’s grace, which is God’s unmerited favour in working to make people a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works [of the law]: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of [the] works [of the law], then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Thus, God makes the distinction between the works of the law and God’s grace (God’s unmerited favour in blessing people) which causes people to be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:7 What then? Israel [as a nation] hath not obtained that which he seeketh for [which is to be a part of the saving of Israel]; but the election [the remnant of the Jews] hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Romans 11:8 (According as it is written [in the Bible], God hath given them [the Jews] the spirit of slumber [of sleep, of inattention to one’s spiritual interests], eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Here Paul repeats his point that the nation of Israel had failed, as a whole, to be a part of the saving of Israel and only a remnant had succeeded in obtaining this. Then Paul goes on to say that God is the cause of their failure, but what this means is that just as the sun hardens clay and melts butter, so God’s grace meets with differing results among people. Some are qualified by God’s grace to be a part of the saving of Israel and some are not. In no case, is God at fault.

God’s Rejection and the Saving of Israel

Continuing, Paul says,

Romans 11:9 And [king] David [of ancient Israel] saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Here Paul says that king David’s curse upon his enemies, who were therefore enemies of God, applies to the nation of Israel because of Israel’s sins. For the unbelieving Jews, as enemies of God, will fail to be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:11 I [Paul] say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid [Certainly not!]: but rather through their [the Jews’] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles [to the non-Jews], for to provoke them [the Jews] to jealousy.

What Paul is saying here is that God’s rejection of Israel for not fulfilling their God-given mission to the world, has resulted in God working through the Christian church in the saving non-Jews to eternal life.

And, secondarily, God’s plan is that God’s blessing of non-Jews will awaken the Jews from sleep to jealousy of the non-Jews.  God does this so that the Jews themselves, by also following in the right path of the non-Jews, might all be a part of the saving of Israel (the saving of spiritual Israel).

Romans 11:12 Now if the fall of them [the Jews] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles [non-Jews]; how much more their fulness?

Here Paul is saying that God’s rejection of the nation of Israel has resulted in rich blessings of non-Jews by God in making non-Jews a part of the saving of Israel. So then, Paul says, how much more blessings will come to the non-Jewish world, if every Jew is a part of the saving of Israel!

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles [non-Jews], inasmuch as I am the apostle [the specially chosen disciple of Christ] of the Gentiles [non-Jews], I [Paul] magnify mine office [hold my office in high esteem]:

Romans 11:14 If by any means I [Paul] may provoke to emulation [to jealousy] them [the Jews] which are my flesh [my blood relations], and might save some of them [from annihilation by God].

Paul is here saying that God has chosen him to preach the gospel to non-Jews. And this Paul does to the greatest extent possible, if by this or any other means, the Jews might be roused from sleep to desire to follow the non-Jews in the right path to being a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them [the Jews] be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them [the Jews] be, but [eternal] life from the dead [from eternal death (annihilation)]?

For, Paul says, when God cast away the Jews the blessings of the gospel went to non-Jews reconciling them to God. Therefore, if God accepts the nation of Israel again, the nation will be rescued from future annihilation by God, to be a part of the saving of Israel to eternal life.

Two Olive Trees and the Saving of Israel

Paul goes to say,

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump [dough] is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Here Paul refers to the Jewish ceremony where first ripe grain, such as wheat or barley, was ground to make flour from which dough was made to be baked into bread. And if a loaf of bread from the dough was offered to God in thanksgiving for God’s provision, then the remaining loaves of bread made from the dough were holy. Likewise, if the root of a tree is holy, so are the branches also holy.

Thus, Paul likens the first of the gospel harvest of holy Christians from among the Jews as being a promise of a great harvest of holy, Jewish Christians all of whom would be a part of the saving of Israel.

Similarly, Paul likens the nation of Israel to a tree whose roots, that is, whose initial Christian converts are holy and, hence, the anticipated great harvest of Jewish Christians is also holy. For all such Jewish Christians would be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed [was grafted] in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Here Paul represents all those in the world who will be a part of the saving of Israel as an olive tree. That is, the non-Jews, Paul says, as branches of a wild olive tree, were made a part of the saving of Israel. And as such non-Jewish Christians should not despise the Jews, who as branches, were broken off from the olive tree.

Romans 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed [grafted] in.

Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief [in Christ] they [the Jews] were broken off, and thou standest by faith [in Christ]. Be not highminded [arrogant], but fear:

Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches [of the olive tree], take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Paul here cautions the non-Jewish Christians not to be arrogant towards the Jews who were rejected by God, if they as non-Jews wish to be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them [the Jews] which fell, severity; but toward thee [non-Jews], goodness, if thou [non-Jews] continue in his [God’s] goodness: otherwise thou [non-Jews] also shalt be cut off [by God].

What Paul is saying here is that the non-Jewish Christians must be steadfast in their repentance and faith in Christ if they are to be a part of the saving of Israel. Otherwise, they will be rejected by God just like the Jews were.

Romans 11:23 And they [the Jews] also, if they [the Jews] abide not still [do not remain] in unbelief, shall be graffed [grafted] in [the olive tree]: for God is able to graff [graft] them in again.

Paul here holds out hope to the Jews that if they put away their unbelief they will be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:24 For if thou [the non-Jews] wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed [grafted] contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed [grafted] into their own olive tree?

Here Paul points out that the conversion of non-Jews to Christ from the worshipping of false gods gives reason to believe that God is well able to make the individual cast-off Jews, along with the non-Jewish Christians, a part of the saving of Israel.

The Mystery of God in the Saving of Israel

Continuing Paul says,

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest [in order to prevent the situation that] ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles [non-Jews] be come in.

What Paul means is that God’s work in making non-Jews (Gentiles) a part of the saving of Israel will continue to the end of human probation when Jesus returns to the earth. Up to that time, some Jews will be blinded, that is, be unbelieving, while a remnant of the Jews, by their faith in Christ, will be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:26 And so all [spiritual] Israel shall be saved [to eternal life]: as it is written [in the Bible], There shall come out of Sion [out of Zion (Israel), Christ,] the Deliverer [from sin], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob [from Israel]:

Romans 11:27 For this is my [God’s] covenant [contract] unto [with] them, when I [God] shall take away their [spiritual Israel’s] sins.

Here Paul makes the point he has been making all along that the saving of Israel is really the saving of spiritual Israel. In other words, only those people who have allowed God to change their heart from sinfulness to perfect love will be a part of the saving of Israel.

God is able to save such people because Christ took upon Himself the sins of the whole world and thus satisfied the penalty of eternal death (annihilation) for every human being.

Romans. 11:28 As concerning the gospel [God’s plan to make both Jews and non-Jews a part of the saving of Israel], they are enemies for your sakes [as non-Jews]: but as touching the election [the believing remnant of Jews], they are beloved for the fathers’ [Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s] sakes.

Paul here is referring to the bitter hatred the Jews had for Christianity and, hence, the Jews persecuted Christians. Notwithstanding this, the believing Jewish remnant, who were beloved of God, along with non-Jewish Christians would all be a part of the saving of Israel.

Romans 11:29 For the gifts [of God which change human hearts to perfect love] and calling of God are without repentance [without regret on God’s part].

Romans 11:30 For as ye [non-Jews] in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy [from God] through their [the Jews’] unbelief [in that God cast off the nation of Israel and gave the gospel to the non-Jewish world]:

Romans 11:31 Even so have these [Jews] also now not believed, that through your mercy [as non-Jewish Christians who preach the gospel to the Jews] they [the Jews] also may obtain mercy [from God].

Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded [enclosed] them all [all human beings] in unbelief [because they have inherited Adam and Eve’s disposition to sin], that he [God] might have mercy upon all [human beings].

So then, God has no regrets about His method of making both Jews and non-Jews a part of the saving of Israel through His mercy to every human being. Thus, though God has cast off the nation of Israel, individual Jews can be a part of the saving of Israel, often through the preaching of the gospel by non-Jewish Christians.

The Wisdom of God and the Saving of Israel

Paul ends his explanations by saying,

Romans 11:33 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!

Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord [God]? or who hath been his [God’s] counsellor?

Romans 11:35 Or who hath first given to him [God], and it shall be recompensed unto [repaid to] him again?

Romans 11:36 For of him [God], and through him [God], and to him [God], are all things [in the universe]: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Thus, Paul rejects the fundamental error of the self-righteous Jews in their mistaken belief that human beings may become a part of the saving of Israel by their meritorious works. For the saving of Israel (the saving of spiritual Israel) is a blessing of God’s unmerited favour toward every human being.

Conclusion

In this post, I have unpacked the meaning of our Bible verses of focus: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit [in the mind], and not in the letter [of the Ceremonial Laws]; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28, 29.

And we have also seen that in saying that all Israel will be saved to eternal life, God is not contradicting Himself. For Israel here refers to spiritual Israel, all of whom will be saved.

My appeal to you then is that you allow God to, symbolically, circumcise your heart and mind, or in other words, to change your heart from sinfulness to perfect love. If you do so, you will be a part of the saving of Israel whether you are a Jew or non-Jew.

The Bible Teaches Us How to Obtain Eternal Life from God

“In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word [Christ] was made flesh [was born as a baby boy named Jesus], and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” John 1:14. Thus, Christ, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13) is the One who gave the whole Bible to humanity, from the Bible’s beginning to its end. Further, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8), which is to say, Christ is love.

And every one of you as a human being are to “lay apart [put away] all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness [of wickedness], and receive with meekness the engrafted [the implanted] word [from God, which is the Bible and], which is able to save your souls [from annihilation by God as the penalty for sin].” James 1:21. For the word of God, the Bible, being implanted in us means that “the love of God is shed abroad [is poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. So then, “love is of God; and every one [every human being] that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. This is known as “justification” (Romans 4:25) which is accomplished by our repentance, that is, our deep sorrow for our sins and the gift of faith from God, which when exercised to believe God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin brings us the gift of love from God. Note that everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately upon our justification, God tests our character to see if we will successfully resist all temptation to sin. Our success depends on our exercising faith in Christ’s keeping power through the Holy Spirit and, hence, we become sanctified (made holy) and thus receive eternal life from God.

And this is life eternal [everlasting life], that they [as human beings] might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [to the earth as a Deliverer from sin].” John 17:3. Thus, when the whole Bible makes our character a character of perfect love, it means that we know God and, hence, we will receive eternal life from God.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

Image: Aleks at Pixabay.com.