Dispensationalism teaches that in the last days, 144,000 bloodline Israelites will be martyred during the final revival and evangelism. Meanwhile, Gentiles are viewed as exempt from this tribulation, being raptured beforehand to become the 24 elders, holding positions as kings and priests in heaven without experiencing persecution.
Romans 11:11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins."
literal interpretation
Replacement theology is often labeled heretical, but I find it to be a realistic interpretation of Scripture. Modern churches can benefit greatly by applying the lessons of Old Testament Israel to themselves. If we take an ethnic interpretation of the scriptures above, the Pharisees—the Israelites who crucified Christ—will be destroyed. Conversely, those among Israel who once believed that circumcision was essential for salvation (as addressed in the New Testament epistles) will change their minds, accept Christ, and be saved, turning away from zealous Judaism.
The point is that the corrupting element is removed so that Israel's purity is preserved. Since the Jewish Pharisees who crucified Christ or boasted of their own righteousness will not automatically be saved in the future, "all Israel" does not mean every single individual of Israelite lineage. Rather, it refers to the ultimate Israel, composed only of the humble and meek Jews who are destined for salvation.
Although the number of Gentile Christians increased dramatically in the first century, there were still Jewish Christians in the congregation who could not fully shed their traditional Jewish mindsets. However, as Gentile believers multiplied, more Jews began to accept Christ, the foundation of truth was established, and Christianity spread rapidly worldwide.
Therefore, if we interpret the prophecy as predicting that the scattered bloodline Jews will eventually accept Christ, anyone can understand that it does not imply the salvation of those currently in the Palestinian territories who claim to be Israel, especially since they may not even be of the actual bloodline. If this verse merely implied the future salvation of physical bloodline Israelis, it would logically also have to prophesy the rescue of the Japanese (who are sometimes rumored to have Israeli lineage), as well as Asian unbelievers and Buddhists worldwide.
In verse 22, Paul warns, "Otherwise you also will be cut off." Written to the Romans, this implies that modern Western Christianity, which inherited its cultural roots from Rome, will be cut off from God due to pride—just as ancient Israel fell because of their arrogant attitude and compromised faith. Western Christian culture has effectively become "Great Babylon"—arrogant and unrestrained, doing whatever it pleases while claiming security through "salvation by grace through faith." Thus, Paul warns that we will perish if we continue to sin and live with a prideful, "elect" mindset despite knowing Christ.
Figurative Meaning
Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God."
Romans 9:6 "But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel."
Galatians 3:29 "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 6:16 "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."
Thus, since the "Israel of God" refers to Christians, applying this to the future means that many modern Western-rooted Christians (who now stand in the position ancient Israel once held) will fail to truly repent. They stubbornly continue to reject the true salvation of Christ; while claiming to be saved, they walk and behave in profoundly anti-biblical ways. During the Great Tribulation, the dispensation of grace for these corrupt Christians will close, and salvation will turn toward the "Gentiles"—the current unbelievers.
In this manner, arrogant Christians of Western origin will be destroyed as the corrupt elements are eliminated. Meanwhile, former unbelievers will come to follow true Christianity, and the full number of those to be saved will be fulfilled. Consequently, only the decent and humble among Western Christians will be saved and enter the Kingdom of God. Interestingly, Paul seems to foresee through the Holy Spirit that eventually, the majority of modern Christians—whether viewed literally or figuratively—will be uprooted and replaced.
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