Will Israel be Saved?
A Biblical Study of the Dual-Covenant Theology and its Modification
(PART I)

What is the Dual-Covenant theology?

A Dual-covenant theology is a belief that teaches Jews and Christians have separate covenants with God in regards to eternal salvation. Jews can go to heaven by keeping the Law of Moses because of the covenant between Abraham and God as expressed in the Old Testament, while Gentiles must convert to Christianity. [i] Muslims, Hindus, and other world religions have no such arrangement with God.

The modified version of the Dual-Covenant theology

There has been a modified version of this Dual-Covenant theology that has cropped up in the last decade or so within certain televangelists. Displaying extreme zealousness for the Jewish people, and their cause, it has led them to commit a serious doctrinal error. While rightly claiming that only through Jesus is there eternal salvation, they wrongly teach (by misusing and pulling out of its context) the scripture passage in Romans 11, claiming that a special election of the Jews (not Messianic) will be saved. They claim these Jews have their own way to eternal salvation with God. As such, these televangelists (and their followers) believe it is a waste of time to evangelize the Jews.

Rom 11:1-32 … Hath God cast away his people? God forbid… God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew… Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace…Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (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…Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 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…if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off…boast not against the branches…but the root…blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes…For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

These people will not openly make claim how they think Israel will be saved because their voices are instead heard in the hype of extremism and unflinching support of Israel. In a nationwide rally to support Israel, the leaders of this particular group of believers are getting heavily involved in U.S. political pro-Iranic war pressure on Washington, participating in Israeli politics, aid in the return of ethnic Jews from other countries to Israel, and the purchasing of Israeli territory for a variety of purposes. In doing so, these leaders are extracting multi-millions of dollars from unsuspecting Christians, which is sent to Israel to be used in various political and end-time efforts. Millions of these unsuspecting Christians are approached everyday through the media, books, and churches throughout the United States. Such verses as Genesis 12:3-4 & 13:14-15 are used as the basis of their argument, in which God gave a promise to Abram 4000 years ago that he would be blessed if he left his land of Ur and follow the direction of the Lord to a foreign land. When he would arrive, God would then show him his land of promise. Gen 12:3-4 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing…Gen 13:14-15…Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are –northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. He and his seed would be blessed in that land.

While these scriptures cannot be denied, and should be respected as the Word of God, Christians should stand behind the Jewish nation as one that was promised to them by God. It is, however, the extremism and the hidden motives of the leaders of the modified Dual-Covenat theology which needs to be addressed and should be one of great concern to all.

Christian Zionists

Most modified Dual-Covenant believers also claim to be Christian Zionists, which is another movement largely among Gentile Christians who support and mandate the right of the Jewish people to return to Israel. This belief is based on the promise God made with Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abraham saying unto thy seed have I given this land from the River of Egypt unto the great river, the River Euphrates. [ii] While being enthusiastic Christian Zionists, as well as modified Dual-Covenant believers, they have allied themselves together in the effort to collect money from church goers and television audiences to pay (primarily) for Russian Jews to emigrate to Israel. According to them, God cannot end the world until most Jews have returned to the Holy Land. As such, they are not seeking world peace, but are forcing God’s plan in end-time events. In reality, they are acting as God. This travesty is creating a real and present danger not only to the Christian Church at large, but to the greatest holocaust the Jews have yet to experience. This kind of cause is propagating an imminent Israel/American war with Iran, and in all likelihood, these actions could bring on a mass-world war destruction as never yet seen in history. [iii]

American Armageddonites

Many Christian Zionists are joined to another group called the Armageddonites (particularly American Armageddonites), who hold to the belief that the founding of Israel and the return of most Jews to the Holy Land is a precondition for the end of the world, which they purpose to hasten. These 30 million American Armageddonites seek to see Mideast chaos as hastening the rapture of the Church, using the fate of Jews to fulfill what they believe is God’s prophecies . They believe that those who are not "born again," including Jews who don't convert, will be killed. Born-again Christians will be "raptured" into heaven . [iv] God will then, in His own way, deal with the Jews according to (their misuse of) the scripture passage in Romans 11.

Again, these radical televangelists emphatically deny they are Dual-Covenant believers in any form. Insisting, and rightfully so, they emphasize that only through Jesus is there eternal salvation; however, they also believe that all of Israel will be saved and it is a waste of time to evangelize them – “God will take care of them.” This then would promote the belief that the “Great Commission” was meant only for the Gentiles.

Their cause is spreading rapidly through the airways, written material, and the pulpits of many mega non-denominational churches across the United States. The intricacy of this erroneous theology not only violates the core teachings of the New Testament, but is counter to mainstream evangelical Christianity. Its complexity and underlying motives, and how it violates the Word of God, will be discussed throughout this article. Evidence will show the leaders of the modified Dual-Covenant theology are not after the “peace of Israel,” (Psm 122:6), but are acting as God to speed up the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. As such, they are deceiving millions of Christians to further their cause.

The pre-tribulation Rapture theorists claim that Christ will come for His body (the Church) right before the time of the tribulation period upon the earth. All those in Christ (alive or dead) will be raised up to spend the next seven years in heaven while the seven-year tribulation period catastrophically encumbers the globe. At the end of the seven-year period, Christ and His saints will come down from heaven and Christ will make His second coming appearance at the Battle of Armageddon, located in Israel. Following the battle will begin the period of the Millennium in which Christ and His saints will rule the earth for 1000 years. Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit in the earth during that time. At the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be released for a short period of time to gather as many as he can to side against God. Then the final judgment of God will come where Satan and his followers will be cast into eternal damnation, followed by all those outside of Christ who have ever died will be judged and cast into the same eternal punishment. Following that, heaven will come down and rest upon the earth, and eternity will begin.

Christians globally carry various conflicting views on the rapture of the Church. Some claim a pre-tribulation rapture, while others claim it will happen at the mid-tribulation period of time, and still others will claim that Christ will gather His saints at the end of the tribulation period – right before His second coming. Finally, there are some Christians globally who do not believe in the rapture of the Church at all. All views claim to "rightfully" interpret the many Scripture verses on end-time events in the Bible to support their view. While this article is not about whether one believes in one rapture theory over another, it is about exposure of a fast rising threat to the Church and the world at large.

Leaders of the modified Dual-Covenant theology

The intention of this article is not to name individual people, but give support to evidence that has been gathered by many to renounce and prove this erroneous modified Dual-Covenant doctrine in the Christian Church. In doing so, individual people must be named to give credence to the validity of this fast-moving heresy.  If this article helps any reader discover its deception, its purpose will have been accomplished.

John Hagee
In March of 2006, John Hagee, pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, and televangestist, formed a group called “ Christians United for Israel ” (CUFI). It is “a national association through which pro-Israel churches, para-church organizations, ministries, or individuals in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to biblical issues.” [v]

In support of CUFI, Hagee hosts “A Night to Honor Israel,” an event to promote ad support of CUFI in many churches throughout the United States. In addition, Hagee leads groups of thousands of Christians to Washington D.C. each year to rally for the support of Israel. John Hagee told The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli daily English language newspaper, [vi] that “we need to be able to respond instantly to Washington (D.C.) with our concerns about Israel. We must join forces to speak as one group and move as one body to [respond to] the crisis Israel will be facing in the near future.” Hagee intends to “interact with the government in Washington for the purpose of persuading it to stop pressuring Israel to give up land for peace.” [vii] Many evangelicals see military operations in Iraq, and the Middle East in general, as signs of Jesus' return. [viii]

Jerry Falwell
Once opposed to John Hagee’s doctrine, Jerry Falwell, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, founder of the Moral Majority Movement and Liberty University, as well as televangelist, has been persuaded to join forces with CUFI. He has recently adopted Hagee’s belief in this modified Dual-Covenant theology. He sent a representative to the San Antonio "launch" for CUFI, and now claims to share the same theology as John Hagee. [ix]

Pat Robertson
Another strong supporter for CUFI is popular televangelist Pat Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) 700 Club. [x] He also sent a representative to the San Antonnio launch of CUFI. [xi]

Other supporters
Other supporters include end-time author Hal Lindsey, [xii] and Tim LaHaye, author of the “Left Behind Series. [xiii] Many well-meaning, but yet deceived, Christians and churches are linking up with CUFI, believing they are simply supporting Israel as God’s chosen people. These churches are holding “A Night to Honor Israel” events, with John Hagee as their guest speaker, and subtlety are then pulled into the belief of the modified Dual-Covenant theology.

Various comments or quotes

John Hagee

• "The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses. I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the Word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption." [xv]
• "The law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation." [xvi]
• “Even if Israel is not currently saved, God will save all Jewish keepers of the Law — past, present, and future — at some future point.” [xvii]
• "All people will gain entrance into heaven through Christ. The question is one of timing.” [xviii]
• "I do not target Jews for conversion . [xix] Trying to convert Jews is a 'waste of time,”... [xx]
• “There is no form of Christian evangelism that has failed so miserably as evangelizing the Jewish people. They (already) have a faith structure.’ Everyone else, whether Buddhist or Baha’i, needs to believe in Jesus, but not Jews. Jews already have a covenant with God that has never been replaced by Christianity.” [xxi]
• “ Let us put an end to the Christian chatter that "all the Jews are lost" and can’t be in the will of God until they convert to Christianity…there are a certain number of Jews in relationship with God right now through divine election." [xxii]
• “The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God’s plan for both Israel and the West…a biblically prophesied end-time confrontation with Iran, which will lead to the rapture, tribulation […] and [the] second coming of Christ.” [xxiii] (Quoted at a CUFI event in Washington D.C. on July 19, 2006).

Jerry Falwell

• Jerry Falwell has claimed strong support of the State of Israel and his "love" for the Jewish people - the chosen people of God."  He reaffirmed that he is a Zionist in terms of Israel's entitlement to its homeland. [xxiv]

Pat Robertson

• Pat Robertson claims that “murdered Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin was killed because he got in the way of God’s plan for continued war.”
• He also blames “Ariel Sharon’s recent stroke on his withdrawal from Gaza.” [xxv]

Along with John Hagee, Jerry Falwell is urging for no peace concessions by Israel, but war with Iran. In May, 2003, John Hagee and other evangelical leaders sent a letter to President Bush applauding the invasion of Iraq but complaining about the Israel-Palestine peace plan. They said it would be 'morally reprehensible' for the U.S. to be "evenhanded." [xxvi]

Agreements with Israel to not evangelize (proselytize) the Jews

There is a large move by the Christian evangelicals to build a major theme park in northern Galilee. “Many of the people involved in that project are the same people involved with John Hagee and Christians United for Israel (CUFI). They have spent years developing relationships with both secular and religious Jews in many varied sectors of Jewish government, religious bodies, and business both in America and Israel, in order to bring about an open door into Israel's politics and inner workings. Recently, the Knesset (Israeli government) formed what is called the Christian Allies Caucus which works to foster this relationship. What is allowing this relationship to continue is the promise that these Christian evangelicals will NOT evangelize (proselytize) the Jewish people.” [xxvii]

Hagee and Falwell strongly claim that only through Christ can one enter into heaven. What they don’t claim is that all Jews are going to hell unless they believe in Jesus. This only supports their modified version of the Dual-Covenant doctrine in that Jews have their own special covenant with God that will bring them into heaven to spend eternity with God.

How will Israel be saved?

These modified Dual-Covenant thinkers rightfully believe scripture in that only through Christ can one obtain salvation – Jew and Gentile alike; however, they wrongfully believe that all of Israel will be saved, according to their misuse, and being taken out of context, the scripture passage in Romans 11. How the Jews will obtain their eternal life in God is not publicized – in fact, it is held in almost secrecy by most of their leaders. One pastor, however, of a mega non-denomination church, and very strong supporter of CUFI, has made an official church statement as to his belief on how all of Israel could obtain eternal life with God:

Beliefs about Salvation, the Jews, and Israel

“We believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one can come to the Father but through Him. We do not believe eternal salvation can be attained by anyone, including the Jews, apart from believing in and confessing Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
We do not believe in the foundational tenets of what is commonly called “dual covenant” theology. That is, we do not believe the Jew has an alternative or separate avenue to receive eternal salvation through Abraham or the Abrahamic covenant, nor do we believe that it is wrong to preach the Gospel to or seek to evangelize Jews as led by the Holy Spirit.
We believe the Bible clearly communicates that to “bless Israel” is supremely important and that to fulfill this requirement of scripture demands an active and aggressive support of Israel as a nation along with the Jewish people individually…
We believe the Bible clearly communicates that (along with receiving by faith, acting on, and obeying the Word of God) “blessing Israel is one of the main channels through which God has provided opportunity for blessing, for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Beliefs About Salvation, the Jew, and Israel from Romans 9:1-11:36

We believe the main audience of these chapters is Gentile Christians and one of the primary messages is that Gentile Christians should aggressively avoid adopting doctrinal paradigm, ministerial attitude, or evangelistic approaches toward the Jew…
We believe these chapters reveal a merciful outworking of God’s eternal plan to and for the Jews, which may not be completely comprehended by Christians and is a “mystery” in much the same way the “Church Age” or God’s plan for extending mercy to Gentiles, was a mystery to the Jews…
We believe “all Israel” refers to Jews who died believing in their covenant; we do not believe “all Israel will be saved” means all geographic, genealogical, or unbelieving Jews who have died since Calvary, without accepting Jesus as their Lord, are going to be given a second change or avoid going to hell.
We believe these chapters provide multiple terms and thoughts which along with the directness of original Greek language, provide a valid basis for believing God took an active role in the Jews rejecting the Gospel, being blinded in part, and receiving a spirit of stupor…It is our opinion the reason for such spiritual insensitivity to the identity of Jesus as Messiah, as implied by these passages, is part of God’s plan to turn the gospel toward the Gentile world…God also has a plan that involves “all Israel being saved,” or “having mercy on them (Israel) all,” which if not embraced will cause us to be “wise in our own opinion.”…
We believe the scriptural precedence and pattern for “how” God’s plan for “all Israel to be saved” might happen is presented in the picture the Bible paints of how Old Testament Jews (before Christ) who died believing in their covenant were kept in “Abraham’s Bosom” until they had an opportunity to receive their Messiah. The pattern indicates “all Israel” can include more than just the Jews who are alive at the second coming of Jesus. The belief that Abraham’s bosom could still be in existence cannot either be proven or disproved by scripture. The precedent has clearly been established that the Old Covenant, for a believing Jew, offers an opportunity after physical death to meet the real Messiah. Receiving Him as Lord even then (as he must to avoid hell) is not a forgone conclusion, as suggest by the account of the rich man and Lazarus, but the Bible precedent clearly suggests the opportunity will be given…
Thus, we believe that “the blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in” and “all Israel will be saved” opens the possibility that for Jews who die believing in their covenant (spiritual Israel), God has a plan for lifting their blindness and/or some type of “Damascus Road” experience for them to meet their Messiah – Jesus, “when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in,” for “…this is my covenant with them” and “the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.”… [xxviii]

(Take special note to the latter two sections in which it is stated that Jews can die in unbelief and go to Abraham’s bosom in hell; however, after Christ comes for His second coming, He will revisit this place in hell and give the Jews a second chance to believe in Him as their Messiah. If they then choose to believe in Him, they can be released from hell and go to heaven. This then can support their modified Dual-Covenant theology in that only through Christ can all Israel be saved.)

Traditional Christian doctrine, as supported by the Word of God, would deny any possibility that Abraham’s bosom (paradise – a compartment in hell) is still open and continuing to receive any Jews to await the second coming of Christ. If it were so, the Scriptures would have clearly stated it. We must remember, Christ already died for our sins. He already went to hell for our sins - He already paid the price. He released the Old Testament saints who were awaiting their Messiah. God arose Him from the dead. It is finished!

The difference between the Old Testament saints before Christ and those after Him were: The Old Testament saints were awaiting their Messiah, while the Jews after Christ rejected Him after He came.

The Bible clearly states that man is given a choice to choose his salvation only while on this earth. After that, comes the judgment.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Jews, or anyone else without Christ, will not be given a second chance after death for their eternal salvation. In Acts 1:11, an angel announced that Jesus would come back in the same manner He left – in the clouds. When He does come back for His second coming, He will be coming with His saints (Rev 19:11-14) to battle at Armageddon.

There is no place in Scripture that tells us that Christ will revisit hell at His second coming to release anyone. If it were so, Scripture would have told us.

Romans 9, 10, & 11

Since this modified version of the Dual-Covenant theology is based on the misuse of the scripture passages in Romans 11, it is important to study it accurately, not taking anything out of the context in which it was written. Since chapters 9, 10, and 11 are written to about the same subject, it is important to study all three chapters together to get the accurate meaning of the truths of what the original author was trying to convey to his audience.

The whole book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome – both Jew and Gentile alike. In various places throughout the book (Rom 1:16; 2:10; 9:24; 10:12), the apostle states that what he is saying is meant for the Jewish and Gentile believers alike. He states in Rom 2:10-11 that in God there is no partiality. He is quick to say in Rom 2:16 that God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel.

Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

The apostle Paul, who was a Jewish Christian, wrote the message in chapters 9-11 to help the Christians (both Jew and Gentile) in Rome understand the importance of how Israel needs the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was meant as an evangelistic message so they could witness to their Jewish friends. As a Jew himself, the apostle carried a great respect for his Jewish tradition, however, he stated it operated by outward acts of the flesh. The apostle was trying to convey that only those who accept the promises of God by faith are the true children of Abraham. God will then judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel.

Foundational truths of Romans 1-8

Throughout the book of Romans the Apostle Paul wrote of the truths of the Gospel. He emphasized over and over that it is only through belief in Christ as the Messiah does one have eternal life.

Rom 1:16 For I m not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. NKJV

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 9

In Rom 9:1 the apostle turns his attention to his Jewish friends, pleading in agony for their salvation. He even goes to the point of saying that he would be willing to be damned in hell for an eternity if it would save Israel (9:3). As was so common (and wise) with the Apostle Paul, he reminds them of their wonderful heritage. He points them to the patriarchs, and how Christ came out of them. In his wisdom, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the apostle, over the next chapters) sets a foundation by walking through Old Testament scriptures to point to truth.

In verse 6, the apostle asks the question: "Did God fail to fulfill his promise to the Jews?"  He quickly states – "no!"  In that, he said that everyone who was born into a Jewish family is not necessarily a Jew in faith. Just because they came from the seed of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children.

Jacob and Esau
The apostle reminds the Jews that the promises of God only apply to Abraham’s lineage, through his son Isaac. While Abraham had other children (meaning Ishmael and his seed) this promise was for only those who believe the promise of salvation which he made to Abraham, who was a man of faith, as it was passed down to Isaac and Jacob. Gen 13:14-15…Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are –northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. The apostle then told the story of the twins Jacob and Esau, and how, according to Jewish scripture and tradition, the younger (meaning Jacob and his seed) would serve the elder (meaning Esau and his seed). God, in His sovereignty, reversed Jewish tradition and the elder came to serve the younger. The apostle pointed out that Jewish tradition wasn’t always law. God could do what He sovereignly chose to do.

Moses
Continuing on in verse 14 of chapter 9, the apostle brought forth the question – “Was God being unfair?” Again – "no!"  The apostle then reminded them of what God said to Moses – “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.”  "God, again," the apostle went on to say "in His sovereignty can do what He chooses to do, and on whomever. What right does the created have to question the Creator – does the clay tell the potter what to do? God knows the hearts of all men, so He can choose to use whomever for whatever purpose – whether they are Jew or Gentile.  God can show His fury and power on those who are already bound for destruction."  The apostle used as an example the Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who was a pagan worshipper, self-bound for destruction. God hardened his heart for a purpose so the Jews could be set free from bondage and go back to their land of promise.  "In this way, God would be glorified in the earth."

Hosea
Verse 25 was given as a reminder of what the Prophet Hosea said: "God will find other children for Himself" (Hos 2:23) – those who are not from His Jewish family.  "Even though coming out of heathenism, they will be called the sons of the living God. He will love those who choose to love Him."  It would be an issue of faith.

Isaiah
The Prophet Isaiah cried to God for the salvation of the Jews. Only a small number of them, however, would be saved. Because of their apostasy, God then executed his judgment on them by allowing them to be exiled to a foreign land through the captivity of conquerors. Years earlier (Is 1:9), Isaiah, in trying to rid Israel of its apostasy, reminded the Jews of how God had extended His mercy on their ancestors. If He had not, their doom would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah, and they, as the seed of Abraham, would have been destroyed.

Salvation to the Gentiles
The Jews tried to attain God’s favor by the keeping of the law, and not faith, often times going back to idol worship; thereby, being in apostasy. They stumbled many times over, but never succeeded in keeping the law by faith. God had warned them many times over, through the prophets, that they needed to have faith in God, not in idols. Even trying to keep the law didn’t work without faith. The Prophet Isaiah told of a stone in Zion (Jesus) yet to come (Is 28:16) Who would lay a foundation of trust and faith. The Jews, however, would stumble over Him, but God then gave an opportunity to anyone, including the Gentiles, for salvation. To those who would believe and have faith in Christ would not be dismayed.

Romans 10
Chapter 10 begins with the apostle sharing the longing of his heart – that the Jewish people would be saved. He states in verse 2-4 that though they may have a zeal and honor for God, it is misdirected. They lack the understanding that Christ died for them, and only through Him can they be right with God. Instead, they were trying to please God by keeping the Jewish laws and customs. That, however, is not God’s way of salvation any longer. Christ is the end of the law, so there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Rom 10:2-4 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (NIV)

The plan for salvation:
The apostle continues in verse 5, stating that Moses wrote that if a person lived by the law he had to be perfectly good, not yielding to any temptation throughout his life – never sinning - even once. It is only then could he be pardoned and saved. The apostle went on to say that salvation cannot be done by the law - it must come through faith – faith in trusting in Christ. He then gave the plan of salvation:

Rom 10:9-13 …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." NKJV

In verse 14, the apostle brings forth a question: "How shall they ask him to save them unless they believe in Christ. And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him?  How can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?" That is the evangelistic message the Apostle Paul was trying to convey to his audience. We are to preach the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ – to the Jews and Gentiles alike. God shows no partiality, and neither should we. We are responsible to evangelize the world.

Have the Jews heard the Good News of the Gospel?
In verse 18, the apostle raises an important question: "What about the Jews?  Have they heard the Good News?" He goes on to say - "Yes they have, for it has been spread throughout Israel, and is now being told throughout the world.  Did they (meaning the Jews) understand that God would give his salvation to others if they refused to take it?"  Again, "yes!"  Even back in the time of Moses, God said that he would make his people jealous and try to wake them up by giving His salvation to a foolish heathen nation (Deut 32:21). The Prophet Isaiah also said that God would be found by people who weren’t even looking for Him. In the meantime, God continues to stretch out His hand to the Jews, even though they are a disobedient and obstinate people.

Romans 11

In conjunction with the last two chapters , the Apostle Paul then raised the question: "Has God rejected and deserted his people – the Jews?"  He replies – “Of course not!” The apostle again reminds the people that he is a Jew – from the seed of Abraham, again saying, God has not cast away His people Whom He foreknew from the beginning.

The apostle Peter, John, Andrew, and all of the other apostles were Jews.  So were many other Jews who had come to faith in Christ. They were physically Jewish but were also elect, according to grace. That grace came through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If the early Church had taken the view that Jews are saved just by being Jews, there would not have been any Christians in Jerusalem, Judea or Samaria. When Christ died and rose again, His apostles were all Jewish and evangelized the Jewish people. Jesus specifically told them to go to the house of Israel.

Matt 10:6-7 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

When the Apostle Paul was converted, he first presented the Gospel to the Jews, and later God called him to preach to the Gentile world. If the view that Jews were saved because they were Jews, there would have been no apostles to spread the Good News and there would not be a Church today. [xxix]

A stumbling block
The apostle reminded them, as an example, of how Elijah the prophet had complained to God about the Jews. The people had killed the prophets and torn down God’s altars, and Elijah claimed he was the only prophet left in all of Israel who still loved God, and he was next in line to be killed. God replied back to him saying, “No, you are not the only one left. I have 7000 beside you who still love and trust in me and have not bowed down to idols.”

The Apostle Paul then reminded the people, saying it was the same thing for them. "Not all Jews have turned away from God – there was still a remnant (elect) being saved as a result of God’s kindness in choosing them."  According to verse 6, their salvation was by His grace and not works.

Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV

The remnant (or elect) cannot be a select group of orthodox Jews who were living by the Law of Moses; it had to be Jews who chose to follow Christ. It is important to remember the foundation that the Apostle Paul had laid in the two chapters previously – only through Christ can one be saved. The apostle was now stating that the rest of the Jews – "God, in His sovereignty, and for His purpose, hardened the hearts of those Jews who would not believe."  Again, God knows everyone’s heart, so "for those who would not believe, He gave to them a spirit of stupor, so they could not see nor hear. The Gospel became a stumbling block to them."

In verse 9, the apostle reminded them of what King David had said: “Let their good food and other blessings trap them into thinking all is well between themselves and God. Let these good things boomerang on them and fall back upon their heads to justly crush them. Let their eyes be dim…so they cannot see, and let them walk bent-backed forever with a heavy load.” (TLB)

The modified Dual-Covenant heresy
The Apostle Paul again asks the question in verse 11: “Does this mean that God has rejected His Jewish people forever? Of course not! He then points out the purpose of God in hardening the hearts of the Jews who refused to believe in Christ. God chose to make His salvation available to the Gentiles so they, the Jews, would become jealous, so they would eventually want God’s salvation in Christ for themselves.  "Even if the whole world became rich as a result of God’s offer of salvation, the Jews, after stumbling and turning His salvation down, how wonderful it will be when the Jews, too, will come to Christ." The KJV says it like this : Rom 11:12 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? This verse, taken out of context, has been one of the main scriptures used to support the Dual-Covenant (or even its modification) doctrine. To extract that fullness, however, and expose this heresy, we will need to continue.

Engrafted branches
In verse 13, the Apostle Paul now focuses his attention on the Gentile Christians. He told them that he reminded the Jews often that his ministry is to them. He then brings out the example of branches that are broken off and others that are engrafted into a tree.

The apostle again asks the question: “Did the Jews stumble so their fall would be beyond recovery? No, not at all! Instead, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make the Jews jealous.” He was very candid in stating that his hope through it all would be that the Jews will come to salvation.

The Apostle Paul goes on to explain the engrafted tree. "The tree is Abraham; however, the root is God. The branches are God’s people. The branches on the tree were from Abraham’s seed; however, some have been broken off." He then uses the example of the Gentiles coming from a wild olive tree, with some having branches engrafted into the tree of Abraham to replace those that were broken off.  "All the branches of the tree are now able to receive the blessings God has promised Abraham and his seed, sharing in God’s rich nourishment."  He warns the engrafted branches (Gentile Christians), however, "not to brag because they are simply a replacement branch. Their bragging needs to be in God, not Abraham. They are just a branch, not the root.  "You should be humble and grateful,” he says, “that God chose you.”

In this section another heresy resides with some Christians – the Replacement Theology. This, however, is not claimed by most modified Dual-Covenant theorists, Zionists, or Armageddonites. The Replacement Theology essentially teaches that “the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. They claim that Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel. All of the blessings and restoration of Israel are simply “spiritualized” or “allegorized” into promises of God’s blessing for the Church.

The Church has not replaced Israel in God's plan. While God may be focusing His attention primarily on the Church in this dispensation of grace, God has not forgotten Israel, and will one day restore Israel to His intended role for the nation He has chosen.” [xxx]

Will all of Israel be saved?

The apostle continues on in verse 22 stating that if God was willing to take the Gentiles and bring them unto Himself through His Son, He will again desire to put the Jews back in their place in Him. He goes on to say in verse 25-26 that there are Jews who have set themselves against the Gospel at this time, and it will continue until the Gentiles have come to Christ. Then all of Israel will be saved. Because he doesn’t fully understand how, he calls it a mystery. Here again, if taken out of context, is another scripture passages to support the doctrine of the Dual-Covenant (or its modification) theology. Properly understood, however, simply points out that the apostle did not know when the fullness of the Gentiles would be complete – He believed Christ could come at any time.

The apostle stated in verse 28, that some of the Jews are enemies of the Gospel. This, however, has been planned by God for the salvation of the Gentiles. Regardless, the Jews are still loved by God because of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He states that God’s gifts and callings are for all – they are irrevocable. They are promised – once and for all – even in rebellion, God is merciful. Some day the Jews will share in God’s mercy again. When that day will come was not exposed to the Apostle Paul; however, will be exposed through other scripture passages as we continue.

The apostle finishes the chapter giving glory to God for his goodness, even though we sometimes don’t understand his decisions or methods.

Most conservative Bible scholars agree that the prophets of the Old Testament prophesied that there would be a “rupture of the bond and a suspension of the covenant between Yahweh and Israel which would then be restored in the ‘latter days.’ A careful and serious reading of the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Hosea (taking special note of Hosea 3:4-5, Isaiah 62:1-7, 65:16-25, 66:7-24 and Jeremiah 3:8-25, 30:8-24) would show this to be true." [xxxi]

Romans 12-16

The Apostle Paul begins chapter 12 with a “therefore,” meaning that because of what has been previously said, we need to offer ourselves (sacrifice) up to God – spirit, soul, and body. We are to stay away from the patterns of the world, and be renewed in our mind according to the Word of God.

The balance of the book of Romans gives practical guidance for living a Christian life.

Click here to continue to Part II "Will Israel be Saved?"

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[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-covenant_theology
[ii] http://christianactionforisrael.org/judeochr/radio.html
[iii] Utley, Jon Basil. http://www.antiwar.com/utley/?articleid=9456
[iv] http://www.antiwar.com/utley/?articleid=8376
[v] http://www.apologeticsindex.org/357-john-hagee-salvation
[vi] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_Post
[vii] http://www.apologeticsindex.org/357-john-hagee-salvation
[viii] http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1673
[ix] http://www.apologeticsindex.org/357-john-hagee-salvation . Jerusalem Post. Quoted by Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg.
[x] http://www.apologeticsindex.org/357-john-hagee-salvation
[xi] ibed
[xii] http://www.mepc.org/journal/0002_wall.html
[xiii] http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=130785
[xiv] http://www.pfo.org/jonhagee.htm . Fisher, G. Richard.
[xv] http://theisraelreport.com/commentary2006_falwellfallout.html
[xvi] Houston Chronicle - 1998 (Interview)
[xvii] http://www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=8158
[xviii] ibed
[xix] interviewer, David Horovitz of the Jerusalem Post.
[xx] http://theisraelreport.com/commentary2006_falwellfallout.html
[xxi] Houston Chronicle - 1998 (Interview)
[xxii] http://www.nationalvanguard.org/story.php?id=8158
[xxiii] Birkley, Andy. http://www.minnesotamonitor.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1673 . Apr 27, 2007.
[xxiv] http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1139395523403&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter
[xxv] Utley, Jon Basil. http://www.antiwar.com/utley/?articleid=9456
[xxvi] ibed
[xxvii] http://theisraelreport.com/commentary2006_falwellfallout.html Neil Cooper, Neil. The Israel Report.
[xxviii] http://www.lwcc.org/Graphics/LWCC_Israel_Doctrine.pdf.
[xxix] http://www.pfo.org/jonhagee.htm . Fisher, G. Richard.
[xxx] http://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html
[xxxi] http://www.pfo.org/jonhagee.htm