In preparation for our overview of Romans 9 – 11, those three chapters dealing with the nation of Israel, we used the attached chart to help us understand how God uses progressive revelation throughout scripture to teach us how the message of the gospel / the good news changed from the ministry of Christ and the apostles to Paul. Please use the picture below to help you in your daily Bible study this week.
The first gospel presented in the New Testament was the gospel of the kingdom of heaven (on earth), preached by John the Baptist, by Jesus, and by the disciples. It is the “exclusive” gospel of the physical kingdom for Israel only.
The second gospel presented in the New Testament was the gospel of the circumcision, also presented to Israel, hoping that the nation would repent and be prepared to usher in the 2nd Advent of Christ.
The third gospel presented in the New Testament was the gospel of the uncircumcision, delivered to Paul to present to the gentile world. It is an “inclusive” gospel available to all who call upon the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile!
The message of reconciliation follows, reconciling the world to God, which has been alienated from fellowship with God since Adam forfeited the the image, that spiritual relationship with God, through sin. Only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the gospel delivered to Paul, do we understand that our new man is renewed in knowledge after the image of him (God) that created him! Colossians 3:10
Ultimately, the Mystery of God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ is revealed to us through our Apostle, whom God has entrusted with the mysteries of the dispensation of grace.
Our daily reading schedule for this week:
Monday — Romans 9:1-16 — God’s dealing with Israel in history
Tuesday — Romans 9:17-33 — God’s dealing with Israel in history
Wednesday — Romans 10:1-22 — God’s dealing with Israel in the present (There is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile in this current dispensation of grace, AKA the Mystery)
Thursday — Romans 11:1-18 — God has cast Israel away from her exalted position of being the herald of the nations, during this current dispensation, but not forever!
Friday — Romans 11:19-36 — Even though Israel is currently in a state of spiritual blindness, God will save Israel from annihilation, when Christ returns as the Deliverer out of Sion, in the 2nd Advent.