Romans 11:26

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“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”

Some teach that this scripture proves that everyone, even Satan and his demons, will be saved! This idea is generally referred to as the doctrine of universal salvation.

As a basis to build understanding, reread the Romans 10:13 explanation. Certainly it is God’s will for all to be saved (II Pet. 3:9 and I Tim. 2:4). However, Revelation 22:15, 18-19 and Matthew 25:11, 30 and 34 plainly reveal that this will not happen. Context is the crucial key in Romans 11:1-36.

The Romans 11:17 explanation showed how Israel was broken off like branches from a tree. The emphasis in Rom 11:26 is that Israel has a Deliverer (Rom 11:27), and that God will one day forgive them. Rom 11:31-32 show that God’s overall intent is to have mercy on all people and that this is why He waited—to the end that Israel might be able to see the Gentiles achieve salvation (Rom 11:31) and then desire it themselves.

Romans 9:1, 3-4 clarifies what Paul would have done, if he “could” have been permitted by God (Rom 9:3), but he understood that Israel’s—or anyone’s—salvation depends on their own, or his own, overcoming (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Israel’s time for salvation is largely yet to come.