Have We Been “Grafted Into Israel?”

Have we as the members of “the body of Christ” today been grafted into Israel? Is that what Jesus teaches us by His dissertation concerning the Olive Tree, as found in Rom. 11:16-24?

As always we must look to the Bible and let it interpret itself, reading it literally wherever we can, but then noting allegory only where there is allegory. We should not bring any denominational, religious, or human viewpoint. We must study of the Scripture “rightly divided” (2Tim 2:15), seeing that the Lord Jesus Christ is always magnified when His Word is studied and believed, no matter who it may contradict.

There’s a lot of controversy and misunderstanding surrounding Paul words concerning the Romans 11:11-14 “Olive Tree” and its good, and wild and recovered branches. We should never isolate a Bible passage, but read it in view of the whole Bible context. The verses below are critical to our understanding as members of “the Church, the Body of Christ.” We must get the context right or we’ll face confusion. These five verses lead up to Paul’s “Olive Tree” discourse; we need to carefully note them or we will stumble.

I say then, Have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their (Israel’s) FALL salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world (Gentiles), and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles 13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I (Paul) am THE apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them (Israel) which are my flesh, and might save some of them.” (Rom. 11:11-14)

In consideration of the whole Bible and according to the Old Testament, we note that Israel was to rise to kingdom glory and be God’s chosen the channel of blessing and salvation to the Gentiles, the nations (cf. Gen. 12:1-3; Exo. 19:3-6; Isa. 2:2-4, 60:1-3, 61:6). In the coming Millennial Kingdom; 

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations (Gentiles), even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zech. 8:23).

Salvation for Gentiles was to come through Israel, in her literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom. Only in this way were Gentiles to come to relationship with the one true God of Israel. Israel was to be God’s “kingdom of priests.” This of course has not yet happened due to Israel’s “fall” and being set aside. The Lord Himself interrupted His prophetic program for Israel with its Mosaic Law by the introduction of our current “dispensation of the Grace of God” (Eph 3:2). In light of Rom. 16:25, we can call it the mystery” program for the Gentiles, in contrasted with Israel’s “prophetic program.”

The present-day dispensational arrangement had been a “mystery (Gk. musterion, secret)” that God held hid in Himself until He revealed it to the “Apostle Paul” (Eph. 3:1-11; Col. 1:24-29) for the Gentiles. In Rom. 11 we’re reading about some distinguishing truths of Paul’s “revelation of the Mystery” (Rom 6:25), that the resurrected, ascended, glorified, Lord Jesus gave the Apostle Paul for this age of “the grace of God.”

Rom. 11 declares that Israel has “fallen” (Rom 11:10-11). Israel has lost her special elevated status before God, albeit only temporarily. This was part of “the secret” God kept hidden in the Old Testament, then revealing it to the Apostle Paul. During our “dispensation of the Grace of God,” Israel has lost its opportunity to be the head of the nations, and can’t be God’s channel of salvation and blessing to the Gentiles (nations) today. Gentiles no longer must approach God through Israel and her kingdom program.

Why? Because Israel today remains blinded and set aside due to “unbelief.”

Today, we Gentiles have access to God, as we have for almost 2,000 years now... by the reconciliation to God that we enjoy through the cross. As we read earlier in Rom. 11:11-12, Israel is temporarily “cast away,” fallen. So, God removing Israel from her earlier elevated and privileged position explains what this means for the Gentiles; “…  through their (Israel’s) FALL salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (of Israel shall be) the riches of the Gentiles…? (Rom. 11:11-12)

During our dispensation of grace, “the world,” meaning all people of all nations, have already been “reconciled” to God by the cross. All people, both Jews and Gentiles, may now approach Him on an equal plain; not through Israel or her kingdom, but rather through Paul’s ministry of his new “gospel of the grace of God” (Act 20:24). God no longer makes any distinction between Jew and Gentile. To God, Jews are seen as the “Gentiles” are seen. Israel is just as lost and just as in need of salvation through the cross. Unlike in “time past,” in the “but now there is no more special nation status for Israel. God only sees people in His Son. Whether Jew or Gentile, He sees all people outside of His Son as “lost.”

Paul wrote in Rom. 11:13, again: “For I (Paul) speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I (Paul) am the apostle of the Gentiles Paul clearly is our Apostle. The risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus directly commissioned Paul to preach, to us as members of “all nations” (Rom. 1:5, 16:26), the gospel (good news) of the grace of Calvary, “the Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Here Paul tells us the why of the cross;

“To wit, that God (the Father) was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing (not counting) their trespasses (sins) unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 21For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin (Jesus had no experience of sinning); (so) that we might be made (become) the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:19, 21)

Now, “the world,” that is the Gentiles of all nations, has the opportunity to be made “nigh (near)” to God by Christ’s shed blood; having nothing to do with Israel because Israel is not anything special with God today. Thus, we have not been grafted into Israel because today there is no more “Israel” to be grafted into. Israel has been temporarily set-aside until this Gentile age is completed.  “blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (at the Rapture).(Rom. 11:25)

Compare the Gentile’s “time past” and “but now” status. “… ye being In Time Past Gentiles in the flesh (racially), who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That At That Time ye (Gentiles) were Without Christ, being Aliens From the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having No hope, and Without God in the world: 13 BUT NOW; In Christ Jesus ye (Gentiles) who sometimes were far off are Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:11-13)

“In Christ Jesus,” the context of v13 (above), refers to the Gentiles believers baptized into “the Body of Christ” (1Cor 12:13). “The blood of Christ” is Paul’s message (1Cor 15:3-4) by which we may approach Father God todaynot through Israel or her now defunct program Covenant, Law, and promise.

When we trust the shed blood of Jesus Christ as the all-sufficient payment for our sins, God credits our sin-debt account as now being “righteousness.” Thus we are fit for heaven forever (Rom. 4:1-8). There is no redeemed Israel involved. Our salvation is dependent entirely upon what Jesus did at Calvary, not what we do, or don’t do, not upon Israel, or her coming kingdom glory, or anything else.

We can now move onto the rest of Romans 11, that addresses the “olive tree” and its “branches.”

16For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world (mankind as Gentiles), what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou (Gentiles), being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness (riches) of the olive tree; 18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root (bears) thee. 19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, (so) that I might be graffed in. 20Well; because of UNBELIEF they (Israel) were broken off, and thou (Gentiles) standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee (Gentiles). 22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23And they also, if they (Israel) abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them (Israel) in again. 24For if thou (Gentiles) wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” (Rom. 11:15-24)

Rom. 11:16-24 is talking about “the world” (v16), meaning the nations, “Gentiles” (v5) who now have been given access to God, the access Israel enjoyed before she fell. Now, only because of Christ’s finished crosswork, we may partake of the spiritual things once offered to Israel; eternal life, justification, sanctification, peace, forgiveness, love, acceptance, et cetera; or, we may reject them.

The wood of the Olive tree is a symbol of access or entry into God’s fellowship/blessings. The Temple of Solomon, God’s house, had olive doors (cf. 1 Kings 6:31-32). Access into God’s glorious presence then involved passing through olive-wood doors.

Now let’s look more closely at Romans 11:16-18:

16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root (bears) thee.” (Rom 11:16-18)

Who is the Olive Tree? The living Christ Himself is The “Olive Tree.” He said He is “the true vine” (Jn. 15:1), referring to a tree that produce grapes that must be processed (crushed) to yield their life juices. Jesus was processed through the cross and His life flows to us as “the Spirit of LIFE in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1a). Olive Oil represents the Holy Spirit of Christ, after Him being processed via the cross.

  • Who is the “firstfruit(v16 above)? The Bible tells us Christ is the “firstfruit” of the cross via His resurrection! Christ the firstfruits…” (1Cor. 15:23). “I am the resurrection and the life.” (Jn. 11:25)
  • Who is the “Root(v18 above)? The “Root” is Christ!  “For he (Messiah) shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and “as a Root out” of a dry ground…” (Isaiah 53:2) Jesus’ resurrection life sprang forth independent of any natural sustenance or power. Jesus was raised by the power of God.
  • Jesus as the resurrection life makes the Olive Tree and His branches, alive and Holy –the root (bears, sustains, nourishes) thee(v18 above).
  • In the Bible “Olive Oil,” such as lit the Temple’s Candlestick, is always seen a symbolic of the “Holy Spirit” (Zech. 4:11-14). The One Spirit” (Eph 4:4) today is the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, 2Cor 3:17A). Christ is the life of His believers – as His living “branches”!

Israel is NOT the “Olive Tree,” the “firstfruit,” or the Holy “Root” into which grace believers have been grafted (e.g., implanted, 2Cor 12:13). We were placed in Christ” as members of “His body partaking of the riches that flows from His cross. Currently Israel is temporarily blinded, cut-off from their former access to God. In Jn. 15:2, Jesus told Israel; branches that don’t bear fruit are cut-off. (cf. Ez. 15:2-4).

Grace believers today will never be pruned as Israel was, because we are “in Christ.” We have a living union whereby He deposited His indwelling Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” into our spirit (1Cor 6:17).  

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (God’s secret plan) among the Gentiles; which isChrist in you,” the hope of glory:” (Col. 1:27). Now we live by His eternal life.  

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)

One day, after the Rapture, God will turn again to Israel and “cut off” the nations of the world (vs. 20-22). Gentiles at that time will no longer have access to Him apart from Israel. Just as Israel’s unbelief led to her fall, the Gentile world’s unbelief by the rejection of Paul’s “Gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) will end their opportunity under today’s grace dispensation (cf. 2 Thes. 2:10-12).

When Israel’s prophecy program resumes, Israel will again be brought to the forefront in God’s dealings with all mankind. After our grace program ends with the Rapture, Gentiles who remain on Earth will have to approach God through Israel as Gentiles of old had done before our “dispensation of the Grace of God” began. This is the warning of Rom. 11:20-24 to the Gentiles of the world, not “the body of Christ.” This is NOT speaking of the loss of salvation for members of “the Body of Christ.” People make that mistake here. It is talking about unsaved Gentiles losing their “without-Israel” grace-way of access to the God. God’s grace will not always be offered to mankind as it has been during our “Dispensation of the Grace of God.” Gentiles who are not part of “the Body of Christ” are urged not to be prideful, bragging about how Israel fell so they (Gentiles) could enjoy God’s blessings, for one day Gentiles will lose the privilege we as “the Body of Christ” members now enjoy. So “now is day of salvation” (2Cor 6:2) by grace through faith alone, don’t let it pass you by.

Israel will be restored one day, and Gentiles at that time will have to bless Israel to fellowship with the one true God (cf. Mat. 25:31-46). Once Israel’s program resumes after our program, those Gentiles who do not bless Israel will wind up in the hellfire (ibid).

So, we as members of “the body of Christ” are not grafted into Israel as so many Christians assume. Israel is currently “fallen” and considered to be enemies of God” (cf. Rom. 11:11, 28), for a time. In 1Thes 2:16, Paul says, the wrath [of God] is come upon them (Israel) to the uttermost.” What advantage would there be in being grafted into a nation that God does not acknowledge? That would be nonsense. Is it really a privilege to be part of a nation that God’s wrath has fallen upon? Of course not.

We, the believing Gentiles of the world, have been “graffed in” - into Christ… in that God has paid for our sins at Calvary and He offers us access and fellowship with Him without Israel’s participation. We have access to Father God by faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork.

Notice again what Paul wrote to us Gentiles and that there’s nothing here about Israel’s involvement. We have fellowship with Father God through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary. Jesus Christ alone is the one Mediator between God and men (1Tim. 2:5).

“For through him [Jesus Christ’s cross] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph. 2:18). “[Christ Jesus our Lord] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him (Eph. 3:12).

Summary:

Romans 11:15-24 is basically saying that the believing Gentiles are “graffed” into Christ as the Olive Tree of life… in the sense of we having union with Christ and equal access to Father God… through Calvary’s cross (cf. Eph. 2:11-15). Today all mankind, regardless of racial heritage, Jew or Gentile, can approach God today without Israel. During this age of “the grace of God” Israel is considered as a Gentile nation. As we’ve mentioned earlier, “olive wood” in the Bible symbolizes access to God; note that the doors of the God’s O.T. Temple built by Solomon were made of the wood of the olive tree as seen here.

“And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree (1 Kings 6:31).

There are to be four Biblical ages. 1) It was a Gentile age at creation. 2) The age of the Jew began with the Exodus. 3) Then a new Gentile age exists today during “the dispensation of the grace of God,” ending with the Rapture of “the body of Christ” to reign in eternal in the heavens. This is to be followed by 4) Jew’s co-reigning with Christ as “the priests of God” (Exo. 19:6), beginning with the Christ’s 2nd coming and His Millennial Kingdom, then into the eternal kingdom on “the new earth.”

After today’s “the dispensation of the Grace of God” is concluded by the Rapture, God will resume His dealings with Israel, cutting off the Gentiles from direct access. Israel will have preeminence again and everyone on earth will have to approach God through Israel. Thus, God will one day save and restore Israel, judging and destroying the Gentiles who fail to approach Him through Israel (cf. Rom. 11:20-24).

Rom. 11:19-22, contrary to common belief, is not talking about the Church “the Body of Christ” possibly being cut off, as in “loss of salvation,” but rather it is a warning to “all Gentiles” who reject God’s free gift of salvation “by grace through faith” in Christ. If they do not become members of “the Body of Christ” by faith in Paul’s “gospel of the grace of God” before the Rapture, they will have rejected God’s free offer of reconciliation by His blood (cf. 2 Cor. 5:19-21). They then can only be saved under Israel’s restored program, when it resumes during the reign of Antichrist’s in the Tribulation (2 Thes. 2:10-12).

- By Shawn Brasseaux, as adapted by and added to by Arthur J Licursi -