Romans 11:25, Window for World Mission
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The period of Israel’s blindness is the window that God allows for the evangelization of the nations of the world. This window for Gentile or world mission is highlighted in the Book of Acts with the conversion of the Roman centurion called Cornelius. This inauguration of world mission is recorded herein in Acts 10:
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Mark Kolchin, in Voice for Christ, made an interesting observation, “Cornelius’ conversion was the third in a line of three prominent conversions extending back to Acts 8. Each conversion represents salvation through three different means to three different people groups originating from the sons of Noah. The first was an Ethiopian eunuch who came from the line of Ham, progenitor of the black race. He came to the Lord through personal means, the result of the faithful witness of Philip the evangelist. The second was Saul of Tarsus who came from the line of Shem (Acts 9). He came to the Lord through providential means, being struck down on the road to Damascus, apparently without any human instrumentality. The third was Cornelius, a white man from the line of Japheth. He came to know the Saviour through Peter’s preaching of the Word. Taken together, they remind us that the Gospel is for all people; that we have been commissioned to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all nations through a variety of means.”
The Apostle Peter made this observation at the close of his life concerning the apparent delay in Christ’s Second Coming where Israel will become the leading nation of the world. It was to usher in the chosen of God in the Gentile world to be saved. When the last of Gentiles is save, our text tells us, then Christ will return, Israel shall be saved!
2 Peter 3:5-12 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
What are the Christians to do after they are saved? Peter advised in 2 Peter 3:13-14 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. They are to live humbly and hoily awaiting the consummation at Christ return. Amen.