Understanding Righteousness

As I was reading Romans chapter 11 today, I felt like the Lord was highlighting certain areas in the text. He wants to focus on Israel and understanding righteousness. When someone does not understand their righteousness they will always think themselves unworthy and not be able to stand in the presence of God.

Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. Romans 11:10 KJV

Through the blindness of Israel salvation came to the rest of the world. This adoption of the gentiles provoked a jealousy towards them. The Bible calls the world the gentiles. Notice how the last part of the scripture says “bow down their back alway”. This is referring to them always needing to bow in the presence of God because they do not feel worthy to stand. They cannot because they do not see themselves as righteous or justified. This only comes through Jesus and they have not received the righteousness from him. Therefore, their back will always bow down until their eyes are opened.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Hebrews 10:18-20 KJV

We have been given confidence to enter the throne room with boldness because we as “gentiles” understand our righteousness comes through Jesus and we have accepted him and his payment.

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?

Romans 11:12 KJV

I found this scripture interesting. Israel in the Old Testament was rich financially and spiritually because they were God’s chosen people. Now because they rejected their Messiah, the son of God, this opened the doors for the world to receive riches both financially and spiritually as well. Paul is telling us to imagine, since the world became rich through this blindness, a lack of understanding if you will, imagine how much more will everyone receive from God if Israel’s understanding of Jesus and acceptance of him is complete or full. That’s amazing! 

For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Romans 11:16 KJV

Israel is considered a first fruit to God and Jesus. We find this in the book of Revelation as well. Since the gentiles are not from the original family we are considered “grafted” in to the family. This grafting is in reference to the family tree, so to speak. The tree that brings life. The lump of the first fruits is considered holy. Paul is telling us that the branches which were grafted into this tree are holy as well. This would include anyone outside the family is also considered holy. 

He then proceeds to tell us that we shouldn’t be so high minded and remember the branches were broken off because of unbelief. This means we need to have faith and continue to have faith throughout our life. It is not just a one time event to be saved. We must have faith and act on our faith throughout our lifetime. This brings about testimony and proof that we live by faith. 

Although they were removed from the tree because of unbelief Paul tells us God can graft them back in. This is referring to the end times when they (Israel) will accept Jesus as their messiah and be “grafted” back into the family. Israel will be the last place to minister the good news of Jesus Christ while the whole world watches. This will occur through the two witnesses known as Moses and Elijah. These two are the ones who Israel know to represent the law and the prophets. Yes, they will be back in town. Once the spiritual eyes of the Jews are opened then they will be grafted in again. This grafting occurs when the 7th and last trumpet blows. The Jewish people will be transformed instantly along with the rest of the followers of Christ, this would be the church. 

Further down the chapter and cited below, Paul also tells us that all the gentiles who will be counted as part of the family will now be in. There aren’t anymore people coming in to be saved from the side of the gentiles. It is complete when you see the events in Israel. 

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Romans 11:25 KJV

As you see written above, “until the fulness of the gentiles come in” is exactly what I was explaining. Israel is spiritually blind “until” the gentiles coming into the family of God will be finished. Those two witnesses resurrect to heaven right in front of everyone and this is a marker that the process of coming into the family is complete. Israel was spiritually blind until these two witnesses (Moses and Elijah) prophesy and do signs and wonders for Israel to see in the name of Jesus. When they are killed and then resurrect to heaven it is time for the Lord to pay a visit to those who opposed and rejected him. As I mentioned earlier the last trumpet will blow right after their resurrection and judgment will follow! 

It is amazing how the scriptures in the Bible start to come together once you understand what is happening in the book of Revelation. We hope this post has helped you to understand more about what Paul taught everyone in the first century.