Explaining Romans 11:19-22

Those verses read:  Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.  Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not high minded, but fear:  for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee.  Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off (Romans 11:19-22).

On the surface these verses appear to speak of loss of salvation, but they do not. What is being explained here is that the apostle Paul is talking about is through the Hebrews unbelief, the way of salvation has been opened to the Gentiles (i.e. heathen, pagan, non-Jew, the nations). Those that believe have been grafted into the olive tree which is a symbol of God’s covenant blessings with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21;17:1-27). 

Those that did not continue in belief were cut off from the olive tree (God’s covenant blessing).

In Acts 13:42-48 we read, And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.  Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.  And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.  And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.  For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).  And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

So here we read a proof text that salvation was never designed for only the Hebrews, but for Gentiles as well. That was always God’s plan; to save people from every tribe, tongue and nation. Gentiles have as much right to obtain eternal life as the Hebrew, but it only benefits those that believe.

The aforementioned was an aside, now back to the matter at hand. To carefully explain the verses in question, we need to understand the subject so I repeat, the verses are dealing with the temporary setting aside of the natural branches (i.e. Jews), and the grafting in of the wild olive branches (i.e. Gentiles).

Notice how Paul warns the Gentile believers in verse 20-21 to not be high minded, but fear, for if God did not spare not the natural branches, he may not spare you either.

Here Paul gives a stern warning to genuine and false believers. The true child of God will fear and heed the warning. They realize that they’ve been grafted into the olive tree due to pure grace on God’s part. This also gives them pause so that they can examine themselves (II Corinthians 13:5). This is the opportunity to make your calling and election sure (II Peter 2:10). The writer knows that although we’re saved, it’s very easy to retard back to old habits and become unproductive in the things of God so these warnings are good checkpoints to keep the believer vibrant and persevering in faith.

The false convert on the other hand will not heed the warnings of the Lord and will be exposed ultimately for the fraud he really is and will be cut off from the blessings of God.

                         Why would God permit a false convert to enjoy his covenant blessings

This gets to the crux of the matter. What’s important to understand that in the Old Testament all the children of Israel were saved nationally and covenantly  when they were purchased and delivered out of slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 32:6), but not all were justified by faith; only those that exhibited the faith of their father Abraham (Romans 4:10-12) were justified spiritually and were saved; that is part of the olive tree. So we see here that the branches that were broken off were unbelieving Israel. They enjoyed in the benefits of the covenant, but were not saved eternally because of unbelief. Their rejection of their Messiah opened the way to the Gentiles. Those Gentiles that believed in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross were grafted in or brought into divine covenant blessings with believing Jews. They exercised the faith of their father 

Abraham who is the father of faith. These are the elect.

In the present and future scripture says all Israel will be saved once the time of Gentiles is complete. The term all has to be qualified. It means God has sovereignly chosen a remnant of the Jews that will be saved. This remnant will believe unto salvation and Israel will then be grafted back into the olive tree; that is receive covenant blessings again. This tells the reader that God has not abandoned his children Israel whom he foreknew (Romans 11:1); they were simply set aside due to unbelief so that the Gentiles could enjoy the benefits of God’s saving grace and his covenant blessing (Acts 13:42-48).

Those non-Jews that receive covenant blessing that aren’t truly saved are nominal Christians. They’ve only accepted the gospel intellectually, but not savingly. They have what the writer of this article calls a “demon faith” (James 2:19), not a saving faith. They fall into the parable of the sower, particularly Matthew 13:20-21 which says that,  And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;  yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. This individual is a demon seed planted by the devil amongst the good seed (Read Matthew 13:36-43). God allows them for a time to enjoy the benefits of the saved. The true and false convert are allowed to co-exist until the end of the age (i.e. the harvest). This person is what some call a “Judas branch” (John 15:6). This type of person will be cut off from the olive tree. Why? Because they never truly believed the gospel. They do not bear the fruit of true repentance (Matthew 3:8-10).  This type of person isn’t losing salvation, they never obtained it. Only true believers will remain in the olive tree, because God keeps them believing unto eternal life.

Will God deliver believers over to Satan?

That’s a very provocative question. The shocking answer to the question is yes! You may be saying, “now wait a minute! Why in the world would God do something like that? We belong to the Lord! God and Satan are eternal enemies right?”

That indeed is true. I know it’s a disturbing question, but one we need to explore. As always we must search the scriptures to see what God has to say regarding this controversial matter.

Let’s examine the beginnings of Job chapters one and two:

6 Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. 7 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. 9 Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 12 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.

13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, 14 that there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them; 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away: yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house; 19 and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; 21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (Emphasis added).

Job 1:6-22 (ASV)

In Job chapter two we read:

Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah. 2 And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 6 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.  Again, God delivered Job over to the power of Satan to afflict him.

7 So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips (Emphasis added).

Job 2:1-10 (ASV)

In both of these accounts we read how after God and Satan had a discussion regarding Job, the Lord granted permission to the devil to afflict Job; first with the loss of his children and business in chapter one, then with disease on his own body in chapter two. So we’re back to the original question, why would God give Job over to Satan to torment him? Doesn’t God love Job? After all, He said that he’s a righteous man, and there is none like him in all the earth. He fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8;2:3).

Job wasn’t given over to Satan because he was in sin, it was because he feared and served  God.  God permitted Satan to tempt Job say that he may curse God to his face when calamity fell on him. The devil always will tempt us to sin. God was on the other hand perfecting or proving Job’s faith which was solid for the word says, 20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; 21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly, and “In all this Job did not sin with this lips (Job 1:20-22;2:10).

A comparative passage regarding Job’s dilemma is in James 1:2-3, “Count it all joy when you fall into manifold temptations. Knowing that the proving of your faith works patience.” In the same chapter verse thirteen it says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man.”

What we learn from these accounts is that God allows the devil to tempt us, but notice that God gave him the rules of engagement. In the first account Satan couldn’t harm Job physically (Job 1:12). In the second account, Satan was allowed to afflict him with boils, but wasn’t allowed to kill him (Job 2:6).

Satan can only do what God allows him to do regarding his children. The trial is sifted through the heart of God almighty.

Job through unbearable pain and suffering consciously worshipped and glorified God which is a clear mark of genuine faith and true relationship. He did not charge  God with wrongdoing like most people would; even some so called Christians.

            

               What about sinning members in the church? Are they to be turned over to Satan?

There’s a serious problem going on in the church at Corinth. In chapter five of I Corinthians we read about a man fornicating with his father’s wife which was the sinning member’s step mother. Apparently this was an ongoing sin in the church and other members had not done nothing about it but rather applauded the sin which upset Paul. Paul said the incestuous act was not even named among the heathen yet it’s happening in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 5:1-2).

Paul had this to say regarding the matter, “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in the spirit, have judged already, as though I were present concerning him that has done this deed. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and with my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (I Corinthians 5:3-5).

Here Paul commanded with the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver the sinning member over to the devil for the destruction or ruin of his flesh; for it’s with his body he’s committing this heinous act of sin against God and his church, In verse thirteen it also says to excommunicate the wicked member out of the fellowship of believers before his wicked ways corrupt other members of the church. The sinning member is in the worst state possible; he’s now the devil’s pawn, and he’s cut off from the fellowship of believers. This is most serious and places that member in state of extreme weakness and vulnerability due to his sin which has isolated him. This is NOT how a Christian should live so repentance to God is definitely of the essence to get Satan off  his back.  Why does this discipline have to take place? Let’s view scripture.

15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. 17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican (i.e. turn that wicked over to Satan).

Matt 18:15-17 (ASV)

Hebrew 12:5-11 has this to say, “5 and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. 11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.”

II Thessalonians 3:14-15 say this, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that  man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish as a brother.”

The goal in this severe Godly discipline is to rebuke the sinning member publicly that others may fear (I Timothy 5:20), but ultimately the rebellious person repents, bears the fruit of righteousness and be restored back to fellowship. The rebuke has to be harsh so that sin can be resisted and holiness is the pursuit of the church. In the interim, saints of God should be praying that he acknowledges his sins and confesses them so that he can be healed (James 5:16).

His removal from the fellowship will definitely bring about shame and humiliation in the member’s life, and hopefully his exile will produce Godly sorrow because of his excommunication from the assembly. If he’s truly a child of God, he’ll genuinely repent of his sin, and be received back into the fellowship of believers where he belongs. Contrite members must be restored immediately (Galatians 6:1). We do not want them to have undeserved sorrow over the deserved Godly sorrow they have already exhibited  once they repent and renounce their sin (II Corinthians 2:6-8). 

So in this scenario, the turning one over to Satan is negative initially because of wickedness, but in the case of Job it was positive because of righteousness. As oddly as it may sound, the devil is also God’s servant, fulfilling God’s will although he’s the epitome of evil and is opposed to Him. Also keep in mind that just because God’s uses Satan, doesn’t mean the devil is absolved of his wickedness. God sovereignly can and does use all of his creatures (including Satan) to fulfill his plans whether the creature is good or evil. This is a clear expression of God’s omnipotence.

In the final analysis, God can use Satan to afflict us because of righteousness; that it may strengthen and mature our faith and relationship  in God. Or God will allow Satan to break us down due to our obstinacy of heart toward God so that we repent of our sins and restore our relationship with Him and have return to us the joy of our salvation.

Where does Satan reside?

                                              

A lot of people do not care about the question because many people do not believe in a actual personage named the devil. For many, he's just a symbol or personification describing evil. If you ask others  the question, they will tell you the devil or Satan lives in hell with his demons tormenting dead wicked sinners. But is this reasoning true? Some may be shocked to discover that is not true at all; the devil believe it or not resides in the heavenly places. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s see what the bible has to say about it.

In the book of Job chapters one and two it says this, “now there was a day when the sons of God (Angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. In Job 2:1 it says that Satan also presented himself before the Lord. The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come from?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:6; 2:1-2).

Here we read that God and Satan dialogued what appears to be in heaven. Why was Satan there? Two things:

1.He’s the accuser of the brethren. Satan constantly accuses God’s  people ( Revelation 12:10).

2. Satan is as a roaring lion walking to and fro in the earth seeking whom may devour (I Peter 5:8).

We find in the book of Job that the devil was on a seek and destroy mission; mainly to destroy Job – look at Job chapters one and two. Satan for now has access to God, shocking!

In Ephesians 2:2 the devil is called the prince of the power of the air, not the prince of  hell. He works in the children of disobedience. The bible makes references to evil spirits (demons) on the earth and in the heavens (Daniel 10:13,20; Jude 9; Ephesians 6:12)

Also, at the temptation of Jesus In Matthew chapter four the devil approaches our Lord right here on earth to tempt him, not in hell.

Satan’s final non-resting place will be the LAKE OF FIRE where the wicked dead, the unsaved go along with the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 20:10;15).

The idea of the devil residing in hell most likely comes from fictional literature namely Dante’s Inferno; a 14^th century poem where the writer describes Satan in the ninth and lowest circle of  hell trapped in ice because he committed the greatest sin – personal treachery against the Lord Jesus Christ.