ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." Is Paul referring here only to his conversion as evidence that individual Jews are being saved? No, he means that and more. He means also that he is but a picture of what God will yet do for Israel as a nation. In this connection let us look at two other passages from the pen of Paul, I Tim. 1: 16 and I Cor. 15: 8. In writing to Timothy, his "son in the faith," he said, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy. that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." In what · way was Paul "a pattern to them which should hereafter believe"? He was a picture. but of what? Of Israel in that day when she, too, will turn to God and accept Jesus as her Messiah and Lord. In a moment we shall see how true a picture Paul was of Israel restored to the place of blessing. But first let us note the second reference in this connection, I Cor. 15:8. There Paul says that he saw the risen Lord, not when the twelve apostles saw Him before His ascension into heaven but "last of all"-on the road to Damascus. Then he likens himself to "one born out of due time," or "before the time" of Israel's national restoration. He was born prematurely. as it were; for he sees himself as "a pattern" or a picture of Israel in the day of her spiritual birth. As he was led to the end of himself and converted, so also Israel will find in Christ her Saviour and her Lord. Have you ever compared Paul's pre-Christian life. his conversion, and !iis Christian experience with Israel's past. present, and future? In his pre-Christian days He was a picture of Israel, as a nation, in the past and at the present time. As Saul of Tarsus, he struggled along blindly in unbelief. On his way to Damascus, desiring to put to death every believer in Christ, his heart full of hatred, he was a picture of Israel rejecting her Messiah. [Pa·ge 205·
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