I heard him answer that, but there's only so much possible to cover in an hour. If I come across the verses he taught on, I'll let him speak for himself as I'm not defending him.
That chapter of Romans 11 is a powerful chapter. Here's some more to get context.
To distinguish the Word from my comments, I'll use bold type.
Romans 11
- 1 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.,(Who were true Israel, natural progeny or those who did what made Abraham and the other gentiles who did what Abraham did; which was to believe on the LORD?)
- 2 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 (Note the prophet's prayer for the judgement of national Israel. Why? Answer
- 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
- 4 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.
- 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Grace as OPPOSED TO WORKS like national heritage that many were trusting in for eternal salvation. The same was the works lie in Christ's time on earth as today. He constantly said salvation was through faith in Him and Not by that which national Israel was trusting. They hated the message of grace sooo much that they murdered the prophets God sent as well as His own son.)
- 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. ( Is that clear Romans? You can not add works to salvation like the Jews. Let's repeat that for emphasis Paul in case the Roman church is already brainwashed by the Judaizers.)
- 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
- 8 (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.
- 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
- 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
- 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. (National Israel as religious Jews in most part rejected the preaching and their Messiah. Jesus commanded the disciples to start in Judea and then to go into all the rest of the world. Great commission.)
- 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?
- 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
- 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. ( Paul distinguished between his flesh and blood and those who did what Abraham did....believe the LORD.) This was a church in Rome made up primarily of non Jewish believers in Christ. How did Paul answer the question of True Israel? Let's look at the same book for context. Please read carefully with me.... Romans 9:2... "
- That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
- 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Not of faith, but of the flesh.)
- 4 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; (All of this was offered to them!)
- 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
- 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:. (Because why???) (Aren't national Israel really ALL going to be saved in that great revival? Isn't Israel real Israel now? Isn't being born to Abraham what it takes to inherit all the promises?)
- 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
- 8 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. (He explained one more time ...these blood born Israeliis are NOT the children of God. They are not the children of the promise either. You mean that the Israeli government has no inheritance from the Lord? All those USA tax $ won't bring God's blessings upon us? What about those who can say that they can trace their lineage as a pure blooded tribal descendent of Benjamin? It doesn't matter. There's at least four books that answer that challenge thoroughly. The true seed of Abraham as the true children of God are those who put their total faith in the Only One that blessed ALL nations. JESUS.
Tonight's study is over.
I have to get a good night sleep and up at first light.
Good night everyone.
