<aside> 👉

Download this outline here:

When_Will_This_Dispensation_End_.pdf

</aside>

A Study of Romans 11:1–25 as a Warning of the End of the Dispensation of the Grace of God

Thesis Statement: Romans 11:1–25 indicates a temporary shift of God’s work from Israel to the Gentiles, culminating in a future return to Israel once Gentile societies largely abandon moral decency—a turning point at which God will resume His direct dealings with Israel.

I. Introduction

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 11:1–25, addresses the pivotal relationship between Israel and the Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan. This passage has sometimes been applied individually, leading to misguided conclusions about losing salvation or mixing works with grace. Yet the text primarily concerns the broader scope of God’s dealings: Israel’s “casting away” brought opportunity to Gentiles; Gentiles, if unfaithful in moral goodness, face a similar casting away. As verse 22 warns, “If thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” The question thus emerges: when Gentile society fails to remain morally upright, will this mark the close of the present dispensation, causing God to shift His direct program back to Israel? This study explores the biblical text, corrects common misunderstandings, and suggests that a general breakdown of Gentile moral decency will trigger the end of this dispensation.

II. From Israel to Gentiles: A Dispensational Shift (Romans 11:1–15)

1. Israel’s Diminishing and the Riches to the Gentiles

   • Textual Basis

     “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite…” (Romans 11:1, KJV). Paul emphasizes that God has not definitively rejected Israel but rather set them aside to bring Gentiles into the sphere of His work.

     “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles…” (Romans 11:12, KJV). Their “diminishing” creates a window of opportunity for Gentile blessing.

   • Nature of the Shift

     Paul’s argument reveals a broad corporate or national dimension: Israel’s collective disobedience prompted God to turn His attention to the Gentile world.

     • The Greek term sometimes translated as “cast away” (ἀπώθησις, apōthēsis) in verse 15 underscores the idea of putting aside, not annihilating. This indicates a temporary displacement rather than a permanent end.
2. Warnings of a Future Change
   • God’s Continued Work with Israel “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be…” (Romans 11:15, KJV). This implies a future reconciliation and renewed focus on Israel.
   • Parallel Dispensational Processes Just as God set aside Israel in this era, He can also set aside Gentiles, implying that no generation (Jew nor Gentile) holds a guaranteed, perpetual place in His direct administrative plan, even if there are guaranteed, perpetual promises that God must fulfill someday.

III. Potential Misunderstandings

1. Applying the Grafting Individually
   • Some read Romans 11:17–22 as teaching individual loss of salvation. Yet the larger context shows a collective or national perspective—Gentiles as a whole are grafted into the place of opportunity, not individual believers grafted into Israel’s salvific promises.
   • “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in…” (Romans 11:17, KJV). The passage addresses groups (Israel, Gentile peoples) rather than the personal salvation status of each believer.
2. Prescribing Works for the Body of Christ
   • Verse 22 says, “Otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Some have construed this as a threat that if someone in the Body of Christ does not maintain certain works, they risk losing grace.
   • The immediate context points to a national or dispensational scenario: the Gentiles—represented collectively—must continue in moral goodness, not a set of salvific works for individual justification.

IV. Clarifying the True Meaning of Being Grafted In

1. Gentiles Grafted into God’s Work, Not into Israel’s Salvation
   • The text never says the body of Christ was grafted in; it speaks of Gentiles in a broad sense.
   • This national or corporate grafting explains how the Gentile world became the vessel for God’s current work. The “root” represents the source of spiritual blessing (originating in God’s covenant promises), but individual Gentiles still need personal faith in Christ for salvation.
2. Middle Wall Broken Down
   • Paul states elsewhere, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances…” (Ephesians 2:15, KJV). The barrier that once separated Jews and Gentiles no longer stands in this era.
   • This opening extends beyond just those who have believed; it places the Gentile world in a privileged position, receiving gospel preaching, moral influence, and historically being the sphere where Christianity has flourished.

V. The End of the Dispensation: Cutting Off the Gentiles

1. Gentiles Removed from the Sphere of God’s Work
   • Verse 22 underscores this possibility: “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God…if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
   • Once Gentile society at large abandons moral decency, God will cease using them in His purposes. This reopens the prophetic program for Israel.
2. Rebuilding the Middle Wall
   • God’s future dealings, according to biblical prophecy (cf. Daniel 9:24–27, Revelation 6–19), center on Israel’s national restoration, culminating in the kingdom promises.
   • In that era, the Gentile world is no longer in the same position of “front line” responsibility. God’s attention returns to Israel’s national destiny.