God blinded the nation of Israel spiritually because of its unbelief and rejection of the Messiah, but only for a season until His work with the Gentiles is complete.
God set a judicial spiritual blindness on the nation after Israel rejected the Messiah and opposed the Gospel going to the Gentiles. Les Feldick teaches that this blindness is not permanent—it is "in part" and lasts only "until" the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in. When the Body of Christ is complete, God will once again deal with Israel and the blindness will be lifted. Though the nation is blinded, individual Jewish people can still be saved today.
Romans 11:7 — Paul plainly states that Israel as a whole did not obtain what it sought, but the believing remnant did—the rest were blinded.
Romans 11:25 — Paul reveals that this blindness is partial and temporary, lasting only until the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in.
In Romans 11:7, Paul writes: "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." He quotes the Old Testament to show that God gave Israel a spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear (Romans 11:8). David also prayed that their table would become a snare, a trap, and a stumblingblock, and that their eyes would be darkened so that they could not see (Romans 11:9-10). Yet the Bible also limits this blindness. Paul calls it a mystery: "that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" (Romans 11:25). The word "until" shows that the national blinding is not final; it is serving God's purpose during the present age of Gentile salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that God sovereignly placed a spiritual blindness on the nation of Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah and their opposition to the Gospel going to the Gentiles. He compares the nation to Elymas the sorcerer, who was blinded for a season because he opposed the Gospel (Acts 13). This blindness, Les explains, is not forever; it is "blindness in part" and will last only until God has finished His work with the Gentiles. Les emphasizes that this long period of Israel's blindness was a mystery—a secret never before revealed—that God would set Israel aside while He calls out the Body of Christ from among the Gentiles. When the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in, God will take the Body out of the way and begin dealing with Israel again. In the meantime, even though the nation as a whole is blinded, individual Jewish people can still believe the Gospel of grace and be saved today.
The Bible shows that Israel, as a nation, did not obtain the righteousness it sought, while the believing remnant did; the rest were blinded (Romans 11:7). Les Feldick points to Israel's rejection of the Messiah and its opposition to the Gospel going to the Gentiles as the reason God set a spiritual blindness on the nation. Just as Paul struck Elymas blind for a season because he opposed the Gospel, God blinded the nation for opposing His purposes.
No. Les teaches that the blindness is "in part"—not absolute or eternal—and it will last only "until" God's work with the Gentiles is complete. He stresses that the word "until" is a time word, proving that the blindness is temporary. The nation has been set aside for a season, not forever.
Les explains that Israel's blindness will remain until the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in—that is, until the Body of Christ is complete. When that happens, God will take believers out of the way and begin dealing with Israel again. At that point the blindness will be lifted and God will resume His program with the nation.
Yes. Les affirms that even though the nation as a whole is blinded, an individual Jew can be saved today just like any Gentile. The national blindness does not prevent individual Jews from opening their spiritual eyes and believing the Gospel of grace. One day the nation itself will also see the truth of its Messiah.
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
God Set a Spiritual Blindness on the Nation
Les explains that God set a spiritual blindness on Israel, just as Paul blinded Elymas for a season, because the nation opposed the Gospel going to the Gentiles. This blindness is not forever.
Blindness Lasts Until God Finishes His Work With the Gentiles
Les teaches that the blindness is partial and temporary, lasting until God completes His work with the Gentiles, after which the blindness will be lifted and Israel restored.
A Jew Can Be Saved Today
Les explains that although the nation has been blinded by rejection of the Messiah, an individual Jew can still be saved today by believing the Gospel. The nation will one day see the truth.
A Mystery Revealed
Les shows that God's long period of turning to the Gentiles while Israel is blinded was a secret not revealed elsewhere in Scripture, and that the blindness is only partial and temporary.
The Word 'Until' Shows the Blindness Is Temporary
Les emphasizes the word "until" in Romans 11:25 as a time word, proving that Israel's blindness is not forever and will one day come to an end.
Israel's Continuing Spiritual Blindness
Les notes that Israel has spent the last 1,900-plus years in spiritual blindness, and even religious Jewish people remain blind to the truth about their Messiah.
Blindness Ends When the Body of Christ Is Full
Les connects the "fullness of the Gentiles" to the Body of Christ: when the Body is complete, God will take believers out of the way and start dealing with Israel again.
Romans 11:7: What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Paul states plainly that the rest of Israel were blinded, showing the nation's rejection.
Romans 11:8: (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Paul quotes the Old Testament to show that God gave Israel spiritual slumber and closed eyes.
Romans 11:25: 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.
Paul reveals that the blindness is partial and limited to the period until the Gentiles are brought in.
No. Les teaches that the blindness is "in part" and only for a period of time. God will once again pick up where He left off with Israel, so the nation has not been permanently removed from His program.
Yes. Even though the nation as a whole is blinded, Les says a Jew can be saved today the same as any Gentile if he will open his spiritual eyes and believe the Gospel of grace.
The fullness of the Gentiles—the Body of Christ—must be brought in. When that happens, God will take believers out of the way and begin dealing with Israel again, and the blindness will be lifted.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles