The Riches of the Gentiles

 

The Riches of the Gentiles

 

Romans 11:12

 

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?

 

In regard to this verse of holy scripture “the riches of the Gentiles”, and “the riches of the world”, are not with reference to tangible and carnal things. The riches that are spoken of in the subject verse are as high above temporal things as the heavens are higher than the earth.

 

Although the fall of the Jews from their place of privilege was an extreme loss to them, the things they lost were weak and beggarly in comparison of the things the Gentiles gained through their terrible loss. As it is written: “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage” (Galatians 4:9). These to whom the Apostle had addressed this letter had a profession of Christianity, but had turned aside to “vain jangling” (I Timothy 1:6). They were turned aside from Justification by the Grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, and they were turned to a mixture of grace and works, which is a turn unto death eternal. The Jews who had turned from Christianity to Judaism and the works of the law for justification, had turned from a finished salvation and perfect righteousness already established, to their own works for both. And as it is written: “ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). Their turning away from Christ alone for all salvation and eternal blessedness in Him, was to them a turn to everlasting cursedness before All Mighty God. Those who turned back to “the Jews religion” (Galatians 1:13-14), had departed from the living God, as it is written: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

 

The weak and beggarly elements which were under the law and to which the apostate Hebrews wished to return are “elements of the world” as said the Apostle: “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world” (Galatiains 4:3). The elements of the world had to do with a “worldly sanctuary”: it is written “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:1-10).

 

The weakness and beggarliness of the worldly elements used under the administration of the law are demonstrated in the result of their exercises. After all was done under the law that was commanded to be done, the result was that sin still remained: as it is written: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4). How very weak and beggarly is the blood of bulls and goats in the business of putting away sin? How very weak and beggarly was the priesthood under the law there being no priest of the sons Levi which was not a sinner? How weak and beggarly was the sanctuary made of gold when compared to the presence of the maker of this universe? All these things were only useful as teaching tools, used of the Great God to instruct His creatures of His Holiness, Purity, and what it is to contemplate His worship. God will be worshipped but only as it pleases Him.

 

The people of Israel could never enter the sanctuary because it was only for the priests. And into the second chamber the high priest could not enter, save once per year, and never without blood. First with blood for his own personal sin and then with blood for the sins of the people. All things under the law were dedicated by blood, as it is written; “Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you” (Hebrews 9:18-20). All these things were so many pictures and shadows of the good things to be brought in by the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth when He would confirm the everlasting covenant by His blood shedding and death. As it is written: “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect” (Galatians 3:15-17 See also Hebrews 13:20). And this in order to accomplish the reformation that had to come from worship under the shadows of the Old Testament to worship in the gospel light of the New Testament. Now that Messiah has been cutoff (Daniel 9:26) in confirmation of the New Testament and has finished the work of redemption all the shadows, pictures, and types, of the Old Testament are put away.

 

 “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:1-5). At the time which was appointed, (in eternity past in the everlasting covenant of grace) God the Father sent forth His Son into this world to be the Savior of those who have interest in the everlasting covenant. And at the time which was appointed in eternity past, God the Holy Ghost visited Mary and caused conception in her womb of that “holy thing” which is the True Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man, as the Apostle said concerning the person of Jesus Christ: “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2) again the Apostle said “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building” (Hebrews 9:11) and “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, (tabernacle: writer) and in three days I will raise it up” (John 219). That human tabernacle, the body of Jesus Christ was made of the substance a woman made under the law. In the old creation God took of the substance of man and made a woman. In the new creation God took the substance of woman and made the body of the God-Man for the suffering of death; as the Surety of the people of God of all ages, of all kindreds, of all tongues, of all peoples, and of all nations.

 

“Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar” (I Corinthians 10:18). Most of the natural seed of Abraham were blind as concerning “end of the law” which is Christ; as it is written “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth (Romans 10:4). They who were Israel after the flesh ate the sacrifices; but knew not what the sacrifices meant. Israel after the flesh did not see Christ in the ceremonies of the law and therefore as concerning Israel after the flesh it is written: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Romans 9:4-8). These persons who are Israel after the flesh; but not “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) who never had interest in the everlasting covenant: “have not believed God” because believing is a covenant gift of God for Abraham and His spiritual seed. As it is written: “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Galatians 3:6-9).

 

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?

The riches of the Gentiles are the spiritual riches of the everlasting covenant of grace which are promised to Abraham and His spiritual seed of all kindreds, tongues, nations and peoples. These spiritual riches were given the Gentiles upon the fall of the major part of the Jewish nation. “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. 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, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 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” (Romans 11:1-4). There has always been and there will always be a remnant according to the election grace out of Israel as is evidenced by the Apostle Paul and the other Jewish believers of all the ages since the days of the Apostles.

 

“How much more their fulness?” Their fulness, in the apprehension of the writer, is the full number of those included in the election of grace at any given time and it seems reasonable that this number might vary. The spiritual blessings of God on Israel, in all the book of God are the blessings of God on the Israel of God. That Israel of God is composed of children of the everlasting covenant who are identified by faith in Jesus Christ. The number of the Israel of God who are from the Jewish People has been determined by God from everlasting, and is known to God, whether it be many or few. But the Apostle seems to imply that since the fall of the Jews has precipitated the call of the Gentiles, and the blessedness of the Gentiles, what would be the blessedness to the Gentiles if a very large number of the Jewish people were given faith to own Jesus Christ as their Messiah? “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” (Romans 11:15).

 

AJ Ison

 

See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com hear the true gospel of Jesus Christ preached at www.13thstbaptist.org webcasting live at listed service times.         

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Have They Stumbled That They Should Fall?

 

Have They Stumbled That They Should Fall?

 

Romans 11:11

 

 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.

 

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? The inquisitive reader will ask, what is meant by the word stumble? The answer is not far a-field. In the ninth of Romans we find the answer; there it is written: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 9:30-33). The Stumblingstone laid in Sion is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is to the unbelieving Jews a rock of offense. But to the church of God Christ Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone, as it is written: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:22). And the Prophet Isaiah wrote: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16). The stumble of the Jewish people was their rejection of Jesus of Nazareth as their true Messiah (John12:48). They did not and they do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ of God, that is, they did not and they do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the True Messiah the Only begotten Son of God.

 

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? The majority of jewish people in the days of the Apostles, stumbled at the stumblingstone (Romans 9:32), that is they rejected Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah of Israel. The next question is, did they stumble that they should fall? Before an answer can be given to this question we must determine what is meant by: “that they should fall”. By “fall” here is not intended the fall in Adam, but a fall in willful unbelief. For those who do not believe on Jesus of Nazareth as the only begotten Son of God there “remaineth no more sacrifice for sin” as it is written: “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:26-29).

 

The willful sin referenced in Hebrews 10:26 is the sin of unbelief. Having seen the works of Christ, and after hearing His preaching, the men of the day of Christ were without excuse in that they remained obstinate in their unbelief, for no one can raise the dead, give sight the blind, heal the lepers and do the many miracles that Christ did but “God be with him”: as Nicodemus said: “ for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:2). Those who openly deny the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ “crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame” (Hebrews 6:4). Therefore it is impossible as long as they remain in a state of unbelief to bring them to repentance for they reject the only remedy for sin and death. The remedy for sin, whether original sin or actual sins is faith in Jesus Christ and His finished salvation. Therefore to fall as signified in the subject verse is to continue in unbelief, and through unbelief to reject Christ Jesus the only Mediator between God and sinners.

 

Those who reject the Mediator of the New Testament must bear their own sin. That is their sin of an evil nature and their actual personal sins will be imputed to them. That sin and those sins will be counted against them. Sins will be charged to those who have sinned and have no Mediator. Sinners themselves who have no Mediator and no Surety will stand responsible for their offenses and they will face the eternal consequences of their own sin.  And for that sin of an evil nature and those sins actually committed by them they must suffer ruin in sin, darkness, and death, to all eternity.  

 

God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.  God forbid: this is the Apostle Paul’s usual remark of detestation. This is to him a deplorable and unworthy thought, that the only end of the blinding of the majority of the Jewish people at that time was their destruction. As it is written: “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (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. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway” (Romans 11:7-10).

 

“Isaiah prophesied: “Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that s learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” (Isaiah 29:9-13).

 

The Apostle John wrote: “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, he hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” (John 12:37-40). It is God’s sovereign prerogative to blind whom He will, and to grant sight to another: this is the lesson of Romans chapter nine, as it is written: “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth” (Romans 9:18).

 

God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.  The majority of the Jewish people had been blinded, and are blinded, from the sight of their Messiah. God forbid, that the reason for this is the destruction of that people as a people. But they are blinded in order that the Gentiles might be partakers of their privileges, as our Lord Jesus said: “Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet” (Matthew 21:33-46).

 

The Apostle Paul explains our Lord’s parable thus: “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes” (Romans 11:28). The majority of the Jewish nation was cut off in unbelief and some of the Gentiles were grafted into their privileges through faith in Christ which was put in them by the Holy Ghost, as it is written: “ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest” (Hebrews 8:10-11). The law of God written on the heart by the Spirit of the living God becomes the law of the heart, and stands opposed to the law of sin in the flesh, as it is written: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7: 22-23). The majority of the Jewish people were given over to be enemies of Christ through unbelief. And some of the Gentiles were gathered out of the nations and given faith in Christ, according as they were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).

 

For to provoke them to jealousy. This is in fulfillment of the word of the Lord: “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people” (Deuteronomy 32:21). Jealousy may be induced in them either as a motive, or as a punishment or both. In either case they must be convinced they have something to be jealous of. In this instance something they have been bereft of by their rejection of the Christ of God as Messiah. In the apprehension of the writer it seems likely that would be justification before God, and acceptance by God, based on that righteousness which has been established for believers by Jesus Christ.  

 

The unbelieving Jews sought after righteousness and acceptance by God through their own works of the law of righteousness, and in seeking righteousness through the works of the law they stumbled at the stumblingstone. Finding themselves without that righteousness which the Gentiles have attained through faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 9:30). And which they sought after through the works of the law of righteousness but failed to attain. The Jews having fallen in unbelief concerning “the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe” (Romans 3:26), and beholding the Gentiles boasting in Christ because of righteousness attained through faith may be liable to jealousy. For Christ Jesus has been to them a Rock of Offense. But to the church of God and to the Gentiles in that church Christ Jesus is the Head Stone of the Corner, as it is written: “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2: 6-10).

 

      AJ Ison

 

See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com hear the true gospel preached at www.13thstbaptist.org webcasting live at listed service times.