Does 'all Israel' in Romans mean every Israelite alive at the time?
No. The phrase 'all Israel' in Romans 11:26 refers to believing Israel, a remnant, rather than the total number of Israelites living on the planet at that time. Unbelieving Israel is excluded; only believing Israel is said to be saved, as Zechariah 13:8–9 is cited to confirm.
Les teaches that Romans 11:26 says 'all Israel shall be saved,' but he immediately asks, 'All Israel?' and answers, 'Well hardly.' He explains that God's interest is in the believers, so all of believing Israel will be saved, while unbelieving Israel will not. He then goes to Zechariah 13:8–9 to support his certainty that the word 'All Israel' in Romans speaks to a remnant, not to the total number of Israelites living on the planet at the time. He notes the number of Jews today is around 15 million, with only three or four million in Israel itself, the rest still in America, Russia, and various other areas.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
More Questions
Why does Les believe 'all Israel' in Romans refers to a remnant?
Les is sure 'All Israel' in Romans speaks to a remnant because Zechariah 13, verses 8 and 9, connect back to Romans 11 and the statement that all Israel shall be saved.
Which Old Testament passage does Les use to explain 'all Israel' in Romans 11?
Zechariah 13:8-9 is the passage that connects to Romans 11 regarding all Israel being saved.