Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 30, 2022: SOAP #4561: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 11:12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fulness bring! …
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

OBSERVATION:  Definitely not all individual Jews, but as a nation Israel rejected Jesus.  Paul was then sent to the Gentiles.  Israel’s rejection of Jesus worked to the reconciliation of the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world).  But a time is coming when Israel will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

If their rejection brought the gentiles reconciliation, what will their acceptance bring?  Verse 15 says, “Life from the dead!”  I see this as referring to the end time—to the time of the church being gathered to the Lord in the air.  The time when the “dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are alive will be caught up together with them … in the air. And so will we be with the Lord forever!”  (1Thessalonians 416-18)

APPLICATION: If I see this correctly, this means that we need to keep our eyes on Israel.  Israel again became a nation in 1948.  It is such a small nation compared to those surrounding.  But it is a nation in God’s plan.  Miracles brought it into existence, and it has taken miracles to keep it.  When we hear of a great number of Jews accepting Jesus as Lord, we should lift our eyes to heaven to see the return of Jesus for His church. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep us aware of what is happening in the world around us, especially in Israel.  Give us wisdom in understanding the times in which we live.  May these days not take us unaware. (1Thessalonians 5:4-10) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon