prophetic imagery
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Paul shows in Romans 11 that the Israel of God is one unified elect people. Using the single olive tree metaphor, he explains how unbelieving Jews are broken off, believing Gentiles grafted in, and natural branches can be regrafted by faith. The fullness of the Gentiles completes this one people so that “all Israel will…
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The prophets pictured the Israel of God as a cut-down tree with a holy stump, a royal-priestly Branch (Christ), and dry bones raised to life by the Spirit. These images illuminate Romans 11’s olive tree: one resurrected people in Christ where Jews and Gentiles are joined as the new-creation Israel of God.