Subject: Is the Promised Land the Israel of today |
Bible Note: "That the Christian now inherits the distinctive Jewish promises is not taught in Scripture." Rom 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. Taking the 11th chapter of Romans at face value, it is obvious that Paul is writing of literal Israel, literal Jews. "Of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin" is speaking of the literal offspring of Abraham and the literal tribe of Benjamin. "Avoid spiritualizing or allegorizing the Bible. This is that which gives to the Bible some kind of mystical meaning. In other words, what is on the surface is not the meaning, but what is hidden becomes the meaning. This is very popular. Allegorizing means to say that the historical meaning is not the real meaning, and in fact may be nothing but a fabrication. The historical meaning is not the real meaning, the real meaning is the spiritual meaning hidden beneath the surface. "And once you say that something in the Bible is an allegory, that is it is only a symbol of the reality, you have just made it impossible to know what that reality is because if that reality cannot be discerned through the normal understanding of language, how can it be discerned?" (from the radio message: "How to Study Your Bible: Interpretation" by John MacArthur on Grace to You broadcast) "That Israel has not been forever set aside is the theme of this chapter (Romans 11). "(1) The salvation of Paul proves that there is still a remnant (Romans 11:1 ) "(2) The doctrine of the remnant proves it (Romans 11:2-6). "(3) The present national unbelief was foreseen (Romans 11:7-10). "(4) Israel's unbelief is the Gentile opportunity (Romans 11:11-25). "(5) Israel is judicially broken off from the good olive tree, Christ (Romans 11:17-22 ). "(6) They are to be grafted in again (Romans 11:23,24). "(7) The promised Deliverer will come out of Zion and the nation will be saved (Romans 11:25-29). That the Christian now inherits the distinctive Jewish promises is not taught in Scripture. The Christian is of the heavenly seed of Abraham (Genesis 15:5,6; Galatians 3:29) and partakes of the spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant." "But Israel as a nation always has it own place and is yet to have its greatest exaltation as the earthly people of God." Bibliography Information Scofield, C.I. "Scofield Reference Notes on Jude 1". "Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)". (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/ScofieldReferenceNotes/) 1917. |