NOV 8

Romans 11:1-36
Memorise Revelation 7:9-17
“What are these which are arrayed in white robes?”

Paul tells us in Romans 11 in a parable that after the Jews rejected Christ, salvation was given to the Gentiles. The rebellious branch of the olive tree was cut off and cast away and in its place was grafted in the Gentiles, represented by the wild olive branch. But when “the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”, that is, when the last Gentile predestined to be saved is counted and the Gentile Church is full, then will Israel the olive branch be grafted back. “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” (Romans 11:26). The question is, when will the fullness of Gentiles be, and when shall Israel be saved?

Revelation 7:9 describes a scene whereby “a great multitude which no man can number of all nations, and kindreds and people, and tongues” stands before the throne in heaven. These myriads of people are clothed with white robes and stand before God to worship Him. They are now safe in heaven, and comforted by the Lamb.

Who is this great multitude that suddenly appears before the throne of God? One of the elders gave the answer—that they had come out of Great Tribulation. They come out of hunger and thirst, and from the heat of the shining sun, with tears in their eyes. They have come to heaven having gone through a great tribulation on earth. From here we can infer that even during the Tribulation, there will be those who are saved, and will be resurrected if they die during the Tribulation. Thus the time of the Gentiles will continue throughout the period of the Tribulation. God in His great mercy will continue to guide His elect to know of Him, perhaps through Bibles, tracts, sermon recordings that are left behind. Although they missed the rapture and suffer through the Tribulation, they can still be saved, if they repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Following that, we then realize that the salvation of the Jews would then happen at the end of the Tribulation, when the fullness of Gentiles is complete.

Yet this must not be an excuse for us to be complacent, thinking that we can wait for Tribulation before we repent. As we learn more of the Tribulation, I am certain none of us would want to go through it.

Thought: Christ will save both Israel and His Church in the last days.
Prayer: I thank Thee Lord for Thy salvation so rich and so free.