III. Explanation of Romans 11:20-21

III. Explanation of Romans 11:20-21

"Well; because of unbelief they (Israel) were broken off, and thou (Gentiles) standeth by faith. Be not highminded but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches (Israel), take heed lest he also spare not thee (Gentiles)."
Since this verse says "because of unbelief" Israel was "broken off," and then warns us, the Gentiles, "...take heed lest he also spare not thee," some question that this means you can lose your salvation, and that God is through with Israel.
A. Romans, Chapters 9-11.
Romans, Chapters 9 to 11 are speaking concerning Israel as a nation; and the Christian's attitude toward them during the Church Age.
1. Romans 9 : Israel in the Past.
2. Romans 10 : Israel in the Present.
3. Romans 11 : Israel in the Future.
1. Israel In the Past.
Christ, the Messiah was promised to Israel as their King. The Prophet, speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, told Israel in Isaiah 9:6,
"For unto us a child (Jesus) is born (His humanity), unto us a son (Christ, His deity) is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
Also, Isaiah, in 7:14, said to Israel,
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us)."
All the Gospels record the Lord Jesus Christ offering Himself to Israel as their long-awaited Messiah, King and Savior; but, as a nation, they rejected Him. In John 1:11 we have the record,
He (Christ) came unto his own (Israel) and his own (Israel) received him not."
In Matthew 27:22,
"...They all say unto him (Pilate), let him (Christ) be crucified."
Because of their unbelief, they were dispersed throughout the world in 70 A.D.
2. Israel In the Present.
In the meantime, the saved Gentiles, who are the "wild olive tree" of Romans 11:24, have the religious privileges of taking the Gospel to the Jews and the rest of the world.
“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?” (Romans 11:24)
During this Church Age, from Pentecost to the Rapture, God is not dealing with any one nation in particular; but, is calling out a people for His name, regardless of nationality. (Galatians 3:28).
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28
3. Israel In the Future.
After the Rapture, Israel will face horrible persecutions at the hands of the Antichrist. Then, the Lord returns to establish His Kingdom; thus fulfilling His promises of blessing and preservation to His chosen people, the nation of Israel. This is what Romans 11:23-24 is saying,
"...for God is able to graff them (Israel) in again (i.e. as a nation)." (Romans 11:23)
And,
"...the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree."(Romans 11:24)
The Olive Tree represents Israel’s religious privileges; therefore, representing Israel as a restored nation. (Ezekiel 37:21-22) Israel will worship the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah, King, and Savior; thus, fulfilling Romans 11:26,
"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 (Israel)."
Romans, Chapter 11, proves that God is faithful to His Word. As the Nation of Israel is made up of individuals, the majority never believed and are in Hell today; as they never were saved. Those 3,000 that did believe on Pentecost (Acts 2:41) are in Heaven today.
As a nation, Israel has and will be chastened at the hand of God; but, in the end, it is still a nation. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior they become a child of God. (John 1:12) When they sin, God can chasten; but, they are still a Christian, still a son of God. The Lord makes this perfectly clear in Hebrews 12:5-7.
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My SON, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: (Hebrews 12:5)
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every SON whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6)
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what SON is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:7)
No, you can never lose your salvation; or you would also lose your relationship as a son. God will always keep His promises to the Nation of Israel, also!