God’s Plan of Redemption: From Creation to Eternity
The Bible’s Central Message
The Bible is the record of God’s plan to redeem fallen mankind through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals a holy God, a fallen race, a promised Redeemer, and God’s unfolding plan to reconcile sinners to Himself.
Though written over many centuries by many human authors, the Bible tells one unified story: God’s glory revealed through the redemption of mankind by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Creation and the Fall
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and made man in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). Humanity was created to know God, enjoy fellowship with Him, and exercise dominion over creation.
However, Adam and Eve rebelled against God and brought sin and death into the world (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). As a result, all humanity inherited a sinful nature and became separated from God.
From that moment forward, mankind stood under God’s judgment and in need of a Savior.
Yet even in the midst of judgment, God promised redemption. The first prophecy of the coming Messiah appears in Genesis 3:15, where God foretold the coming Seed of the woman who would ultimately defeat Satan.
The Call of Abraham and the Birth of Israel
Rather than abandon humanity, God chose one man, Abraham, through whom He would bring blessing to the entire world.
God promised Abraham:
“In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
This promise was not merely about the Jewish people. It was about the coming Messiah who would arise from Abraham’s descendants and bring salvation to every nation.
Through Abraham came Isaac, Jacob, and the nation of Israel.
God separated Israel from the nations and entrusted them with unique privileges:
“Unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Romans 3:2)
Paul wrote that to Israel belonged:
“the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.” (Romans 9:4)
Israel was chosen not because of her greatness but because of God’s sovereign purpose and covenant promises (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
Why Salvation Is “Of the Jews”
Jesus declared:
“Salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
This statement does not mean that Jews are saved differently than Gentiles.
Rather, it means that God’s redemptive program entered history through Israel.
The Scriptures came through Israel.
The prophets came through Israel.
The covenants came through Israel.
The Messiah came through Israel.
As Paul wrote:
“Of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came.” (Romans 9:5)
God chose Israel as the nation through whom He would reveal Himself and bring the Savior into the world.
For this reason, the Gospel was always offered “to the Jew first.”
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ… to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
The Jewish people were first in privilege, first in revelation, and therefore first in responsibility.
The Coming of the Messiah
Throughout the Old Testament, God progressively revealed details about the coming Redeemer.
He would be:
- The Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15)
- The Seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18)
- A prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15)
- The Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16)
- Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
- Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)
- The suffering servant (Isaiah 53)
- The coming King (Zechariah 9:9)
Jesus Christ fulfilled these prophecies and presented Himself to Israel as her Messiah.
Yet the nation as a whole rejected Him.
As John wrote:
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11)
This rejection was foreknown by God and became part of His redemptive plan.
Why Israel Was Blinded
The New Testament teaches that Israel’s rejection of Christ was neither accidental nor permanent.
Paul explained:
“Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Romans 11:25)
Israel’s blindness is:
- Partial (many Jews have believed)
- Temporary (it will one day end)
- Purposeful (God is accomplishing His plan among the nations)
Paul further wrote:
“Through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:11)
Israel’s rejection of Messiah resulted in the Gospel being proclaimed broadly throughout the Gentile world.
This does not mean God abandoned Israel.
Rather, Israel’s temporary setting aside opened the door for a worldwide harvest among the nations.
God’s purpose was not replacement but expansion.
The Olive Tree and the Believer’s Relationship to Israel
Romans 11 provides one of the clearest explanations of God’s relationship with Israel and believing Gentiles.
Paul describes Israel as a cultivated olive tree whose root ultimately finds its source and nourishment in the Messiah Himself. The natural branches represent the Jewish people. Because of unbelief, many of those natural branches were broken off.
Believing Gentiles, however, are compared to branches from a wild olive tree that have been grafted into the cultivated tree.
This means that Gentile believers do not replace Israel. Rather, we are graciously brought into the blessings flowing from God’s covenant promises through faith in Israel’s Messiah.
Paul warns Gentile believers:
“Boast not against the branches.” (Romans 11:18)
And again:
“Be not highminded, but fear.” (Romans 11:20)
The root supports the branches; the branches do not support the root. Therefore Christians have no biblical basis for arrogance toward the Jewish people. If God was willing to remove natural branches because of unbelief, Gentile believers should not presume upon God’s kindness.
The same God who grafted wild branches into the cultivated tree is certainly able to graft the natural branches back into their own olive tree.
“How much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” (Romans 11:24)
For this reason, believers should reject any theology that teaches God has permanently cast away Israel or transferred all of Israel’s promises to the Church.
Our Duty Toward the Jewish People
Scripture gives believers a special responsibility toward the Jewish people.
Paul taught that Gentile believers have received immeasurable spiritual blessings through Israel:
“If the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” (Romans 15:27)
Christians therefore have every reason to love, bless, support, and pray for the Jewish people.
God’s promise to Abraham still stands:
“I will bless them that bless thee.” (Genesis 12:3)
We are commanded:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6)
God calls Israel:
“the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)
Paul also reveals another remarkable purpose God has for the Church:
“To provoke them to jealousy.” (Romans 11:11)
As Jewish people observe Gentile believers enjoying fellowship with Israel’s Messiah, God’s intention is that some would be moved to seek the same relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through Jesus Christ.
What an extraordinary privilege and responsibility God has given to the Church.
The Church Age
Following Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the Gospel began spreading throughout the world.
The Church was formed, consisting of believing Jews and Gentiles united in one body through faith in Christ.
Paul explained:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Through faith in Christ, Gentiles become heirs of God’s promises and are adopted into the family of faith.
Believers become:
“the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)
And:
“Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
This adoption does not make Gentiles Jews, nor does it erase God’s future plans for Israel. Rather, it demonstrates the richness of God’s grace in bringing believing Gentiles into His redemptive family through faith.
Salvation is now offered freely to all people on the same basis:
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Neither race, nationality, heritage, nor religious works can save.
Only faith in Jesus Christ saves.
“Neither is there salvation in any other.” (Acts 4:12)
God’s Future for Israel
Although Israel has experienced partial blindness, God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David remain in force.
Paul asks:
“Hath God cast away his people? God forbid.” (Romans 11:1)
And again:
“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)
A future day is coming when Israel will recognize Jesus as Messiah.
“They shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)
Paul declares:
“And so all Israel shall be saved.” (Romans 11:26)
God will fulfill every covenant promise He made to the nation. (This is not a separate path to Salvation. See Romans 9:6. “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel”)
Paul then makes a remarkable statement:
“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15)
If Israel’s temporary setting aside resulted in the riches of salvation flowing to the Gentile world, how much greater will Israel’s future restoration be?
Many Bible believing Christians understand this phrase, “life from the dead,” as pointing prophetically toward the resurrection events associated with Christ’s return, Israel’s national restoration, and the consummation of God’s redemptive plan.
The nation that was temporarily blinded will one day be restored to fellowship with her Messiah.
The Return of Christ and the Blessed Hope
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will return bodily and visibly to the earth.
Before God’s final dealings with Israel and the nations are complete, believers await the Blessed Hope—the catching away of the Church.
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
The dead in Christ shall rise first.
Living believers shall be transformed.
The Church shall be gathered unto Christ.
The resurrection and glorification of believers stands as the great hope of every child of God.
As God’s prophetic purposes for Israel move toward fulfillment, believers are reminded to watch, pray, and remain faithful, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh.
Final Judgment and Eternity
After Christ’s kingdom comes the final defeat of Satan, the resurrection of the unsaved dead, and the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Then God will create a new heaven and a new earth.
The redeemed will dwell forever in God’s presence.
Sin, death, sorrow, and suffering will be forever removed.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4)
Conclusion
The Bible is the story of God’s redemption of fallen humanity through Jesus Christ.
God chose Israel to bring forth the Scriptures, the covenants, and the Messiah. Therefore, salvation is “of the Jews.” Yet God’s purpose was always larger than one nation. Through Israel came Christ, and through Christ came salvation for the whole world.
Israel’s temporary blindness opened the door for the Gospel to go to the Gentiles, but God has not abandoned His ancient people. Gentile believers have been graciously grafted into God’s redemptive program through faith, warned not to boast against the natural branches, and called to bless the Jewish people, minister to them, and provoke them to godly jealousy through a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
When God’s purposes among the nations are complete, He will restore Israel, fulfill every covenant promise, and bring history to its glorious conclusion through the return of Christ, the resurrection of the saints, the restoration of Israel, and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom.
The Bible begins with creation, moves through Israel, centers upon Christ, extends salvation to all nations, culminates in Christ’s return, and ends with God’s eternal kingdom.
Its message is simple and glorious:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)