What does Romans 11 teach about God's relationship with Israel?
Romans 11 teaches that God is not through with the nation of Israel. Though Israel experiences partial blindness until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, God will return one day and fulfill everything promised to Israel. The mystery revealed to Paul shows Gentiles are saved without Israel, contrary to Old Testament expectation.
Les teaches that Romans 11 is the great chapter where Paul makes it certain God is not through with the nation of Israel. There is literature claiming He is finished, but the book says He is still going to return one day and fulfill everything He promised to Israel. Chapter 11 is all about how He is yet going to come back to Israel. Les explains that verse 25 reveals a mystery or secret held in God's mind until Paul: blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be brought in. This blindness is not forever, though it has lasted over 1900 years. The Old Testament understood God would save Gentiles, but not without Israel; the idea in Isaiah and other prophecies was that once Israel became the obedient vehicle, the kingdom of priests, Israel would evangelize the Gentiles.
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.
More Questions
What is the 'until' in Romans 11:25 that ends Israel's blindness?
Once the Body of Christ is complete, God will deliver it from its confines here on earth and the believers will be raptured out, and that completion is the 'until' referred to in Romans 11:25.