There is an age-old saying that speaks to my ministerial calling: “The devil is in the details.” Scripturally speaking, Satan does not want church people to know, believe and obey the details found in God’s Word. He wants his followers to focus on John 3:16,17 and to ignore First John 3:1-10. My ministry is to reveal the details of God’s Word. Ninety-nine percent of readers and hearers reject those details to their peril.  Romans 11:7-25 is one such ignored, rejected or altered passages.

In the eleventh chapter of his letter to the church at Rome Paul speaks to the “Gentiles” who had broken themselves off (departed) from their “wild olive tree”–all Gentile religions–and had embraced the “good olive tree”–God’s Israelite religion (vs. 24). Here God labels as “natural branches” those Israelites who had been “broken off” from His “good olive tree” due to their rebellion against Him. This included the vast majority of the 12 Tribes of Israel. Those who had not been broken off are Scripturally known as His “remnant”–the spiritual descendants of the remnant who comprise the majority in His New Covenant Church. They are the “few” who “find” the strait gate and walk the narrow way leading to eternal life (Mat. 7:13,14).

That God labels as the “wild olive tree” all religions that are not His “good olive tree” is revealed in Romans 11:13-25 where He identifies His Israelite religion as the singular “lump” (tree) from which all God-seeking “branches” (people) either 1) grow naturally (Israelites–the remnant), or 2) have been grafted into it (biological Gentiles), or 3) Gentilized Israelites who, having been broken off,  have returned to the fold.

Throughout Romans 11:7-25 God reminds the biological Gentile converts to His (Israelite) religion that most of Israel had been “broken off” from His “good olive (Israelite) tree” so that they (biological Gen- tiles) could be grafted into His tree which “supports” (feeds and upholds) its branches (saints).

Having noted that because of sin most of Israel had been broken off from His good olive tree, God then in verse 8 explains how: “According as it is written, God hath given them (Israel) the spirit of slumber– eyes that see not and ears that hear not” so that they could neither see nor hear (believe) His Words. In so doing He made their “table”–source of spiritual nourishment–a snare, a trap and a stumbling block which would bring on them the “recompense”–punishment–they deserved. Their backs would be bowed under the burden of heathen religion. Led by their false prophets who have blinded their eyes to God’s Truth so that they see only the darkness of false religion (Jn. 3:19/mat. 6:23), they believe that what they are “seeing” is God’s light.

In Romans 11:20-24 God, through Paul, explains to biological Gentiles their relationship to the Israelites who had returned to Him after having been separated from Him: “Because of UNBELIEF they (Israelites) were broken off, and thou (Gentiles) standest by faith.” Biological Gentiles have no natural right to be grafted into God’s “lump.” But by faith and obedience they gain that right. In verses 23,24 God explains how broken-off Israelites had returned to His lump–they had been engrafted “again.” Having been born as branches of God’s Israelite tree, and having been broken off from it due to sin, they had then been engrafted into it “again.” A severed arm that has been reattached is an excellent example of the Israelite situation. Having an arm from another person attached is an excellent example of the biological Gentile situation. In verses 20,21 God warns the engrafted Gentiles not to look down on Israelites who had returned to His tree: “Be not high-minded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural (Israelite) branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.”

In Romans 11:7-25 God is saying to the false branches that in order for them to spend eternity with Him they must leave their “wild olive tree” (Gentile religions), believe and obey His Word/Truth (Jn. 17:17), with faith in that Word which comes from studying that Word (Jn. 10:17). To reject any part of it is to reject both Jesus and God (Jn. 12:48). Those who reject any part of that Word are part of the “wild olive tree” and “the world” (12,15). God-seekers must “come out of her” (2 Cor. 6:17)–“her” being “Mystery, Babylon the Great” and her harlot daughters (Rev. 17:1-5). The combination of the two religious bodies comprise the Institutional Church.

By this time readers of this website have realized that I am not politically correct. Eternity is at stake, therefore I do not have time for ear-scratching. Christianity is comprised of two groups, 1) the multitudinous uber-religious pretenders to the throne, and 2) the true saints that make up God’s tiny remnant church with whom Jesus will share His throne (Rev. 3:5,12, 21,26-28). The Counterfeit Church cares not for God’s Word, nor for Him. Their response to Him is: “Now that you have saved us, sit down and shut up. And do not bother sending Your messengers to us. You have served your purpose, now stay out of sight and out of sound.” Warning: Due to national and international laws, these people will soon be in charge of all things religious. Under their rulership God’s Word will be outlawed in church as well as on the radio and television. To speak it or refer to it will be considered a hate crime. Learn it while you have it, for when that time comes owning a Bible will be a global crime. Those in the church will be the saint’s accusers, which will include his/her spouse, parents, children, friends, etc. (Mat. 10:32-39).  L.J.