Page 22 - Torch Magazine #28 - Summer 2025

world. It simply refers to an unbelieving
Israel that has rejected the Gospel.
Indeed, the whole context of Romans
11 is an effort to calibrate Gentiles in
their understanding of Israel despite the
apparent outward hostility many would
have experienced in response to the
Gospel. Notice the phrase “for your sake”
as if reminding us to not let go of the
bigger picture of how and why salvation
came to the Gentiles. They might be
enemies from the standpoint of the
Gospel, but not from God’s covenantal
perspective.
The verse continues, “concerning the
election they are beloved for the sake of
the fathers.” The term ‘fathers’ refers to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In other words,
we are reminded that God is keeping
His word for the sake of the everlasting
promise He made in covenant with them.
Underline the word ‘beloved’; highlight
it; print it off; post it on Facebook;
shout it from the rooftops; whisper it
in your prayers. Israel is ‘beloved’. Israel
is ‘beloved’ despite being so-called
“enemies of the Gospel”. Israel is ‘beloved’
despite blindness. Israel is ‘beloved’
despite being a disconnected branch.
The word ‘beloved’ is the Greek word,
agapētoi, from the root word agape.
Agape is God’s covenantal, unconditional
love. Replacement Theology is a
conditional attitude that has already
decided Israel’s fate. It lacks agape love
for Israel. It is not Biblical and it is a
sin. On the contrary, God loves Israel
unconditionally. Paul continues, “for
the gifts and the calling of God are
irrevocable.” The word ‘irrevocable’ in
Greek means not to be repented of, not
to be recalled or changed. In other words,
the Covenant made by God with His
people is irreversible; it is unchanging; it
cannot be undone.
Principle 5: God is Sovereign
“For of Him and through Him and to
Him are all things, to whom be glory
forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
22
Gratitude and compassion are
forerunners of humility. Paul writes
that even you, yes YOU, were once
disobedient, but you have obtained
mercy. Yet the mercy you have received
is actually an outcome of ‘their
disobedience’ (Romans 11:30). To close
this circle of cause and effect, Paul
clarifies that “through the mercy shown
you they also may obtain mercy,” (Romans
11:31). It might seem like a mystery
of mercy, but the institutor of such
disobedience and mercy is God Himself.
“For God has committed them all to
disobedience, that He might have mercy
on all,” (Romans:11:32).
We may develop gratitude towards
Israel, but ultimately our gratitude is to
God Himself. In our appreciation of His
promises to Israel, we see the unchanging
character of God. Replacement
Theologians not only undermine Israel,
but the God of Israel and His Sovereign
will. If we still cannot comprehend the
breadth of God’s mercy towards Israel,
then be still and trust in His Word. Paul
closes, “Oh, the depth of the riches both
of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgements and
His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).
God’s divine plan for Jew and Gentile;
Israel and the Church; will unfold for His
purposes, in His timing, and for His glory.
It might seem a mystery, but the wisdom
and knowledge of God is revealed in the
profound Truth that God has not forsaken
His people.
The next time you hear someone
say, “God is finished with Israel,” turn to
Romans 11. Replacement Theology has
had a devastating impact in driving a
wedge between Christians and Jews, and
has caused the Church to miss the mark
when it comes to teaching the Biblical
truth about Israel. But as more Christians
awaken to God’s agape love for Israel,
and recognise the precious grafting in of
Gentiles into the Olive Tree, we must pray
that the lifeless fallacy of Replacement
Theology will be cut off and wither, and
that a revitalised desire to bless Israel
and the Jewish people will bloom in our
generation.
CUFI.ORG.UK