Paul is telling us that God’s clock hasn’t stopped. Right now is the Gentile harvest time—millions are being brought into the family of God through Jesus. When that number is complete, God will turn back to Israel and fulfill His promises to them. The point for us? Don’t get proud, don’t get lazy—keep spreading the gospel, because your faith is part of God’s story that will one day bring all Israel to recognize their Messiah.
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A. Key Verses (Highlighted)
Luke 21:24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Isaiah 66:18–23 “And I … am about to come and gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory. … They will proclaim my glory among the nations. … And they will bring all your people, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem … From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord.
Zechariah 8:20–23 “Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord … In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew …”
Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude … from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet … “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
B. Romans 11:25 Explained for Christians
Paul’s “mystery”: a partial hardening has come on Israel until the fullness (completion) of the Gentiles comes in; then God turns to Israel for a national awakening (Rom 11:26).
- Not Plan B: Gentile salvation fulfills God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham.
- God’s timing: There is a divinely-set fullness for the Gentile ingathering.
- Humility: Gentiles are grafted in by grace—no boasting (Rom 11:17–21).
C. Side-by-Side Chart: OT → Paul → Application
| Old Testament Prophecy | Paul’s Phrase (Rom 11:25) | Application for Christians |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:3; 18:18 — “In you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” | “Until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” | Your salvation as a Gentile is covenant-promised, not an afterthought. |
| Gen 48:19 — Ephraim will become a “fullness of nations.” | plērōma tōn ethnōn = “fullness of the Gentiles.” | Paul echoes the “fullness” wording to signal a complete Gentile ingathering. |
| Isa 49:6; 60:3 — Servant is a light to the nations. | “Gentiles are coming in.” | Jesus’ worldwide salvation mission is happening now through the gospel. |
| Deut 32:21 — God makes Israel jealous by a “nation not a nation.” | “A partial hardening has come on Israel.” | Gentile faith is used to provoke Israel to consider Messiah. |
| Amos 9:11–12 — Restored Davidic tent; nations called by His Name. | Gentile mission included in the “mystery.” | The church is living proof of a multi-national kingdom under Jesus. |
| Ps 67; 117; Isa 2:2–4 — Nations stream to worship the LORD. | The fullness of the Gentiles precedes Israel’s national salvation. | Keep sending the gospel; history is moving toward that completion point. |
Back to top ↑D. Summary & Practical Takeaways
- Be thankful — Gentile salvation is the promised blessing to all nations.
- Be watchful — The fullness hasn’t arrived yet; the mission continues.
- Be prayerful — Pray for Israel’s salvation (Rom 10:1).
- Be humble — We’re grafted in by grace, not merit.
E. Prophetic Background (A–H)
- A. Abrahamic Covenant: Gen 12:3; 18:18; 22:17–18; 26:4; 28:14 — Blessing to all nations.
- B. “Fullness” Language: Gen 48:19 — “Fullness of nations.”
- C. Servant/Zion Light: Isa 42:1,6–7; 49:6; 60:3; 66:18–21 — Light to the nations.
- D. Pilgrimage: Isa 2:2–4 // Mic 4:1–2; Zech 8:20–23 — Multi-national worship.
- E. Jealousy Motif: Deut 32:21 — Israel provoked by “not-a-nation.”
- F. Davidic Restoration: Amos 9:11–12 — Nations called by His Name.
- G. “Not My People”: Hos 1:10; 2:23 — Made God’s people (applied in Rom 9:25–26).
- H. Universal Worship: Ps 22:27–28; 67; 117:1; Isa 11:10–12 — All nations rejoice and worship.