That mercy, as Paul said, was towards the Gentiles. In their obedience they found salvation. Through the Gentiles obedience, Israel will find mercy and salvation. (The remnant of Israel.) However, in reading about sin and punishment, it seems that there are levels to punishment, and that they are based upon how much one knows the truth of God, and rejected. The one's who know the most, the children of the kingdom who rejected, are tossed into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Utter torment, as they knew the truth, and missed it... and they will spend eternity living with that fact. To know the glory of God, the greatness that it is, and to reject it and be shut out for eternity. The sheer agony that is illustrated in the weeping and gnashing of teeth. For those who don't know God, don't know of His glory, their punishment will not be as severe. Still punished, but there is a special punishment for those who heard and knew the truth, but rejected.
That is why Jesus talked about how much worse it will be for Capernaum and other places, since they had the truth and rejected, but places like Sodom and Gomorrah would have repented in sackcloth and ashes if they had seen what was happening that day. Their punishment will be worse.
Some context--
THE GENTILES CAST AWAY
In Romans 1:17 to 32 we learn how God had cast away the Gentiles. In Romans 11:1 to 33 we learn how God, centuries later, cast away the Jews. When God cast away the Gentiles (about 1900 B.C.) He began a new movement; Israel and the Jews. When God cast away Israel (about 60 A.D.) God had begun a new movement with the Gentiles. Note Ephesians 3:1—“For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.”
Note the condition of the Gentiles at the time God began the new movement mentioned in Romans 11:30, Romans 11:11 and Romans 11:15.
“For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief.”
“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.”
“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”
The predicament of the Gentiles at the time Paul was sent to them is told in Ephesians 2:11 and 12, Ephesians 2:2 and 3 and Ephesians 4:18. They were aliens. Aliens from Israel. Alienated from God.
Note the words of Christ to an earnest seeking Gentile—“He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:24 to 27.
The Jews were lost sheep. The Gentiles were dogs. The Jews who sat in Moses’ seat were serpents. The ruler at Rome was a heathen. We know then that the world religiously and politically was corrupt when the Lord of glory came down from heaven to visit humanity.
THE LORD JESUS AND THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES
Note the testimony of the Apostle Paul.
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.
“And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw Him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning Me.” “And He said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Acts 22:17, 18 and 21.
“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, t
hat the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:16.
Paul had orders from heaven to go to the Gentiles. He received his message for Gentiles by revelation.
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11 and 12.
He wrote to the Gentiles that salvation was of the Jews. “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” Romans 15:27.
THE TURNING-POINT
Note the words of Paul in Acts 13:46, Acts 18:6 and Acts 28:28.
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, LO, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.”
“And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”
“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”
“Lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Do not fail to mark this in your Bible. This marks a radical change.
Note the good news for Gentiles that followed.
“AND WHEN THEY WERE COME, AND HAD GATHERED THE CHURCH TOGETHER, THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM, AND HOW HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.” Acts 14:27.
Who opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles ? When?
Then followed the good news of Ephesians 2:19, Ephesians 2:17 and Ephesians 3:6.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”
“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Paul’s last message was to a man who was half Jew and half Gentile, Timothy. (Acts 16:1 to 5.) Since the death of Paul and Timothy, God’s spiritual affairs have been in the hands of Gentiles; and God’s order has no longer been “to the Jew first.” The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11. “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” Colossians 3:11.
“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”(2 Tim. 2:1). As Paul prepared to leave this life, he longed to leave Timothy with a few parting instructions to encourage him in the faith. The apostle knew that his young friend was easily discouraged. Of course, some of the
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Pastor J. C. O'Hair
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