Chapter # 11 Paragraph # 6 Study # 3
November 10, 2009
Lincolnton, N.C.
(Download Audio)

• I. The Roots of Paul's Enthusiasm.
  • A. According to 9:3, Paul's "love-system" was heavily invested in "the Israelites".
  • B. According to 10:1, Paul expressed this heavy investment in prayer to God for one objective: that they might be saved.
  • C. Clearly, if the investment was anywhere near the reality he claimed (and I do not doubt it), the idea that God has promised that "all Israel shall be saved" is a direct stimulant for Paul's enthusiasm.
• II. The Nature of Paul's Enthusiasm.
  • A. In large measure, it was "impersonal".
    • 1. The only two human beings to ever be recorded in the Bible as having reached this degree of love for Israel (Moses -- Exodus 32:32; and Paul) did so apart from any significant degree of personal involvement with Israel as individuals.
    • 2. Because most people "love" in highly selected ways that are almost always relatively tied to personal involvement, this raises a significant question about Paul's "love".
      • a. It is Paul's "doctrine" that the majority of human beings, as well as a vast number of "Israelites", will never participate in the glories of God's salvation.
        • 1) This doctrine is so exclusive that Paul even told Timothy that he did all that he did for the sake of the elect (2 Timothy 2:10), most of whom he did not know personally.
        • 2) How did he "love" so intensely that he would offer himself as a redemptive sacrifice while simultaneously declaring that not only was his offer turned down, its impact was also denied?
      • b. How can he be so wrapped up in a "national" salvation that omits so many individuals?
    • 3. The answers seem to lie in the interaction that exists between the Large Picture and the individual picture.
  • B. In large measure, it was focused upon the final realities, not the current ones.
    • 1. The Final Reality is the goal.
    • 2. The Final Reality is a combination of "Impersonal Nations" and "Highly Personal Individual Relationships".
      • a. Paul's enthusiasm for Israel's salvation was rooted in the impact that it would make upon every individual involved.
      • b. In other words, it was an enthusiasm for one of the latter steps in the long process because of what it means for the final step.
• III. The Content of Paul's Enthusiasm.
  • A. A time is coming when "all Israel shall be saved".
    • 1. This is neither a backward extending, nor a future reaching, statement.
      • a. Only one generation of Israel is involved.
      • b. None of those prior to this generation who died in unbelief will be retro-saved, and none who are of the future generations are "automatically" included.
    • 2. This is an enormous hope because it signals the onset of Messiah's Kingdom rule on the earth.
  • B. The "salvation" of this generation of Israel is not presented as "complete".
    • 1. Complete salvation is only a post-resurrection/transformation reality.
    • 2. However, there will be two major "forward steps" that make the quality of the salvation a lot better than it is now.
      • a. Presently, "salvation" is an enormous struggle within and without.
      • b. The promised Kingdom will mark a significant drop in the level of intensity required for two reasons: the absence of the antagonist and the absence of his cosmic order.
        • 1) The "Deliverer" will come out of Zion (heavenly: Hebrews 12:22) to Zion (earthly: Revelation 14:1).
        • 2) There will be the execution of the covenant with Jacob that Jeremiah 31:33 promised.
          • a) He will "turn" ungodliness from Jacob.
          • b) He will "remove" their sins.
        • 3) This will initiate the Kingdom with only believers on the earth.
  • C. This "salvation" of all Israel signals that every individual included in this Large Plan will experience a degree of "glory" and "Life" that, up until then, is only a dream.