“But this is the great mystery: that God is rich in mercy; that he gathers his elect from every nation, also that of the Jews who rejected him; that he imprisoned all in unbelief that he might be merciful to all. That mystery sends the apostle into ecstasy and causes him to marvel at and adore the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge ([Romans] 11:33-36).” (Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 4, p. 670).
“It is a mistake, however, to think that God’s incomprehensibility applies only to his secret, unrevealed counsel . . . . [T]he most significant aspect of incomprehensibility is that it applies to what God has revealed.” “God is debtor to none, his favour is never compensation, merit places no constraints upon his mercy.” (John Murray, The Epistle to the Romans, Vol. 2, pages 104, 107).
The 101 Bible Study is looking at Romans 11:25-36 on Dec. 1 in Astoria. Call 971/238-6101 for more information.
“[T]he final goal of various significant redemptive-historical episodes throughout scriptural history was God’s glory. All these events with glorious goals point to the glorious goal of the final events of history, in which God will definitively execute judgment, accomplish redemption, and establish the eternal new creation. At this time, God’s glorious presence will permeate every part of the new heavens and earth and all will exalt and glorify him for his glorious atttributes, which have been manifested through his culminating acts at the eschaton.” (G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology, p. 63).
“The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the God of glory thunders,” Pslam 29:3
“Paul’s point is that by virtue of his exaltation (resurrection and ascension) Christ, as last Adam and second man, has come into such permanent and complete possession of the Spirit that the two are equated in their activity. The two are seen as one, as they have been made one in the eschatological work of giving life to the church, that life which has its visible ‘firstfruits’ in Christ’s own resurrection.” (Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Perspectives on Pentecost, pp. 18,19).