Page 10 - February 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Read Romans 11:25b-36 interval – “until the time that she which
In our last article we began to look at travaileth hath brought forth,” and, finally,
verse 25. In this verse Paul mentions the the reunification and restoration of Israel
– “then the remnant of his brethren shall
word “mystery.” What is the mystery he
is referring to? It cannot be the tempo- return unto the children of Israel.” What
rary blinding of Israel and their ultimate I would particularly draw to your atten-
restoration to favour with God, for that tion is that there is a gap of at least two
is the subject of Old Testament prophecy. thousand years between verses 2 and 3.
Look at Micah 5:1-3. First, I would make Verses 1 and 2 relate to the earthly life of
a suggestion regarding verse 1: “Now Christ. But verse 3 relates to the cutting
gather thyself in troops, O daughter of off of Israel and their ultimate restoration.
troops: ‘he hath laid siege against us’: What fits into that gap between the verses?
they shall smite the judge of Israel with a The Dispensation of the Church. This is
1
rod upon the cheek.” Notice the change the mystery of Romans 11:25, “... until the
I have suggested in this verse. I put the fulness of the Gentiles be come in,” and is
words “he hath laid siege against us” in the theme of Ephesians 3:1-6.
inverted commas, suggesting that this was Romans 11:25 refers to “the fulness of
the charge that the Scribes and Pharisees the Gentiles.” Don’t confuse “the fulness
would raise against the Messiah when He of the Gentiles” with “the times of the
came (see John 11:47-48). Verse 1 divides Gentiles” (Luk 21:24). “The times of the
into three parts: Gentiles” refers to the period of Gentile
1. The Conspiracy – “Now gather thy- dominion, which commenced with the
self in troops, O daughter of troops.” rule of Nebuchadnezzar and will end
2. The Accusation Levelled Against the with the return of Christ to establish His
Messiah – “He hath laid siege against us.” kingdom. On the other hand, “the fulness
3. The Condemnation – “They shall of the Gentiles” is when the last Gentile
smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon has been added to the Church. At that time
the cheek.” the Rapture will take place, and the Tribu-
lation will commence. The Tribulation is
Verse 2 goes on to predict His incarna-
tion in Bethlehem. In verse 3, we have the designed to bring about the repentance
and restoration of Israel. Notice that in
resulting judgment upon Israel – “There- Revelation there are no references to the
fore will he [Jehovah] give them up,” the
Church from chapter 6 until 19:5-9, where
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the the expression “his wife” (v7) refers to the
KJV. Church. Chapters 6-18 cover the period of

42 TRUTH kTidings February 2026