The question of whether all Israel will be saved in the end times is an important one for Bible prophecy. Romans 11:26 says, “And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob'”. This verse has led to much discussion about God’s plans for the nation of Israel in the end times. In this article, we will examine the context of Romans 11, look at various views on this topic, and seek to understand what the Bible as a whole has to say about Israel’s salvation.
The Context of Romans 11
In order to properly understand Romans 11:26, we need to understand the context of the chapter. Romans 9-11 form one larger unit dealing with the question of Israel’s place in God’s plan. In Romans 9, Paul expresses his grief over Israel’s unbelief and rejection of the gospel. In Romans 10, Paul says that Israel’s problem is that they sought salvation by works rather than faith in Christ. Then in Romans 11, Paul asks if Israel has stumbled so as to fall away from God’s plan. His response is “By no means!” (11:1).
Paul goes on to explain that God has preserved a remnant of believing Jews (11:5). While the nation as a whole has rejected Christ, there are still some Jews being saved (11:14). Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to explain this. Unbelieving Jews have been broken off the olive tree, which represents the place of blessing. Believing Gentiles have been grafted in to this place of blessing. But Jews can still be grafted back in if they come to faith (11:23).
So Romans 11 affirms that 1) ethnic Israel still has a place in God’s plan, 2) a remnant of Jews are being saved through faith in Jesus, and 3) there is still opportunity for more Jews to be grafted back into the place of blessing. The stage is now set for Paul’s important statement in 11:25-26.
Different Views on the Salvation of Israel
With this context in mind, we can look at the various perspectives on what Paul means when he says “all Israel will be saved.” Here are some of the main views:
The church replaces Israel view – This view sees the church as the new Israel. All of God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled spiritually in the church, not literally in the ethnic nation of Israel. Therefore, “all Israel” in 11:26 simply refers to the salvation of the complete number of Gentiles plus Jews who come into the church.
The remnant of Jews view – This view also does not see Romans 11:26 referring to the future salvation of all ethnic Jews. “All Israel” means the remnant of Jewish believers throughout history, including the remnant saved in the end times. The passage does not predict the salvation of every single Jew.
The end times turning to Christ view – This view says Romans 11:26 does predict that in the end times, as the gospel spreads globally, there will be a widespread turning of Jewish people to faith in Christ. A significant number of Jews will be saved, even though not necessarily every single Jew.
The national conversion at Christ’s return view – Some interpret Romans 11:26 to be saying that at Christ’s second coming, the entire nation of Israel then living will turn to Christ in faith. This will fulfill numerous Old Testament prophecies about Israel’s salvation.
So opinions differ on whether Romans 11:26 refers to 1) the church as the new Israel, 2) the remnant of Jewish believers, 3) many Jews turning to Christ in the end times, or 4) a national conversion of Israel at Christ’s return. Looking at the Bible as a whole will help evaluate these options.
Old Testament Prophecies about Israel’s Salvation
Several Old Testament prophets do predict a future time when Israel as a nation will turn to the Lord in faith. For example:
Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”
Ezekiel 36:24-28 – “I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land… And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you… And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
Isaiah 59:20-21 – “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression.” declares the Lord.”As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit who is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, or from the mouth of your offspring, or from the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
Jeremiah 31:31-34 – “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah… I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people…they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.”
These prophecies point to a time when Israel as a whole will experience salvation, spiritual rebirth, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and forgiveness of sins through faith in God and his Messiah. The prophets specify this will be a future event for national Israel. Of course, the church currently benefits from those spiritual blessings. But the prophets describe a time when those blessings will come upon ethnic Israel.
New Testament Affirmation of Israel’s Future Salvation
The New Testament affirms that there is still a future for ethnic Israel in God’s plan. For example:
Romans 11:28-29 – “As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” This indicates that God still has plans for unbelieving Israel because of his promises to their forefathers.
Romans 11:12 – “Now if their [Israel’s] trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!” Here Paul envisions a future “full inclusion” of Israel back into God’s plan in a significant way.
Matthew 23:37-39 – Jesus laments over the city of Jerusalem for rejecting him, but says “I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Implying that someday the nation will turn to Christ.
Acts 3:19-21 – Peter preaches to the Jews, calling them to “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus… whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” Peter anticipates a future time of salvation and restoration for Israel.
So the New Testament confirms what was predicted in the Old – that God is not yet finished with ethnic Israel and still has plans to bring salvation to the nation. When Paul says “all Israel will be saved”, this is the biblical context behind the statement.
The Timing of Israel’s Salvation
When it comes to the timing of Israel’s salvation, Christians differ on whether Romans 11:26 refers to some turning to Christ in the end times or to the nation as a whole turning to Christ at his second coming. Views range from an end times “remnant” being saved to a more widespread national conversion at Christ’s return.
Several factors could be given to support the national conversion view:
– The context of Romans 11, where Israel’s salvation is tied to the timing of the “fullness of the Gentiles” (11:25) and the revelation of Christ mentioned in 11:26. This fits the end times sequence described elsewhere where Israel’s salvation follows the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24).
– The way Old Testament prophecies connect Israel’s salvation to the coming of the Messiah and His rule on earth (Isaiah 25:6-9, Isaiah 59:20-21, etc). Christ’s second coming seems to initiate Israel’s salvation.
– How some prophecies foretell a cleansing of Israel’s land and capital city just prior to the Messianic kingdom (Ezekiel 36:33-36; Zechariah 12-14). This happens at Christ’s return.
– Paul’s quote about the Deliverer coming from Zion (11:26) echoes the post-tribulation coming of Christ to rescue Israel (Romans 11:26; Matthew 23:39).
– The linking of Israel’s salvation to God’s new covenant promises (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The New Testament connects this new covenant with Christ’s return (Luke 22:20).
So there are reasonable biblical arguments to take Romans 11:26 as referring to a national conversion of Israel when Christ returns to establish his kingdom on earth. However, good cases can be made for other views as well.
Partial Hardening until Fullness of the Gentiles
Romans 11 makes an important point relevant to the timing of Israel’s salvation. Verses 25-26 say, “Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved…”
Here Paul explains that Israel’s partial hardening – referring to their general unbelief towards the gospel – will last until the full number of Gentiles are saved. John MacArthur explains it this way:
“Israel’s unbelief will last only until the complete number of elect Gentiles is saved, or until the Gentile nations have had their full opportunity to come to Christ…until the church is complete, until the last person meant for the body of Christ is drawn to Him and saved.” (MacArthur Bible Commentary)
So Paul reveals a mysterious timing in God’s plan – Israel’s hardening remains only until global Gentile evangelism has penetrated the nations and gathered the full number of converts ordained to eternal life. Scholars debate the exact meaning of the “fullness of the Gentiles.” But the overall idea is that Israel’s general condition of unbelief will persist until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This at least leaves open the possibility of a major turning of Israel to faith as that time approaches.
Not All Individual Jews Will Be Saved
While Romans 11:25-26 addresses the fate of Israel collectively as a nation, it does not necessitate the salvation of every single individual Jew throughout history. Paul already made clear that “not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Romans 9:6). In other words, even though ethnically Jewish, not every person from Israel belongs to the true, spiritual Israel. Only those circumcised of heart are part of God’s true covenant people (Romans 2:28-29).
Paul distinguishes between Israel as a whole and the smaller believing remnant within Israel. He asks in Romans 11:1 – “God has not rejected his people, has he? By no means!” God still has a plan for ethnic Israel. But as proof, Paul points to the smaller elect remnant according to grace (11:5). So even if national Israel as a whole turns to Christ, not every individual Jew will necessarily be included. Personal salvation still requires individual faith in Christ.
The Bible consistently maintains that faith comes by individual choice. John 1:12 says “But to all who did receive him [Christ], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Salvation hinges on each person’s decision to receive or reject Christ. That means even if the nation as a whole turns to the Lord, some individual Jews will still reject the gospel.
Israel’s Salvation will have a Profound Impact
While the precise timing is debated, Scripture clearly teaches that someday God will lift Israel’s partial hardening and pour out His Spirit on them. The result will be a mass turning of Jewish people to Jesus as Messiah. Though the exact number is not defined, it will be substantial. Paul says it will be “life from the dead” for the world (Romans 11:15). Their salvation and restoration will have a profound impact.
Several results of Israel’s salvation are described in Scripture:
– It will be a major catalyst for the salvation of the nations. Scripture connects Israel’s reconciliation to great gospel blessings for the Gentile nations (Romans 11:12, 15).
– It will be part of God’s plan to remove ungodliness from Jacob (Romans 11:26-27). As Jews turn to Christ, biblical morality and commitment to God’s ways will be renewed.
– Israel will experience all the spiritual blessings promised in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). They will have God’s laws written on their hearts by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
– Israel will become a channel of God’s blessing to the world (Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:13,23). Other nations will make pilgrimages to Israel to seek the Lord and gain from their spiritual vitality.
– It will lead to great rejoicing among both Jews and Gentiles and worldwide exaltation of the God of Israel (Romans 11:12-15; Isaiah 25:9).
God fulfilling His promises to Israel will be a centerpiece of end times events with global impact. While the details are complex, Romans 11 makes clear that Israel still has a crucial role to play in God’s prophetic plans.
Israel’s Salvation has Already Begun
While Israel’s widespread national conversion lies ahead, it is crucial to see that their salvation has already begun. God’s work starts small and grows. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree” (Matthew 13:31-32).
This illustrates Israel’s salvation. The gospel took root in a small remnant of Jewish believers in the 1st century. Their faith launched the growth of the church worldwide. Over the centuries, the remnant of Messianic Jews has continued to grow, especially in modern times. What begins small eventually matures into something great.
Paul confirms this pattern in Romans 11:16 – “If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump.” Because Christ as the firstfruits of salvation was a Jew (1 Corinthians 15:20-23), the whole Jewish nation is set apart for future blessing. The initial believing remnant sanctifies the whole. What God begins with the firstfruits, He will complete in the full harvest.
So the salvation of Israel has already begun with Messianic Jews leading the way. This guarantees that the nation as a whole will someday experience the fulfillment of God’s glorious promises. Israel’s salvation will culminate in their Kingdom restoration under the Messiah.
Key Points About Israel’s Salvation
In summary, here are some key points from Romans 11 about the salvation of Israel:
– Ethnic Israel still has a unique place in God’s prophetic plan (11:1, 28-29). God’s covenant promises are irrevocable.
– Israel’s hardness towards the gospel will continue until the full number of Gentiles come to faith (11:25).
– The Deliverer (Christ) will come from Zion and take away Israel’s ungodliness, fulfilling New Covenant promises (11:26-27).
– “All Israel” likely refers collectively to the nation as a whole someday coming to faith, not necessarily every single Jew (11:26).
– The exact timing of Israel’s salvation is disputed. Views range from a partial end times remnant to a national conversion at Christ’s return.
– Israel’s salvation will have profound blessings for both Jews and Gentiles worldwide (11:12, 15).
– Individual Jews still must choose personal faith in Christ to be saved (Romans 10:13).
– What begins small with a remnant eventually blooms into something great (Romans 11:16). Israel’s salvation is already underway through Messianic Jews.
God clearly has a grand plan to display His faithfulness to Israel. Through their salvation, His glory and saving power will be magnified. While many details are shrouded in mystery, we can trust God to keep His promises in His perfect timing.
