Romans 11:23: Mercy's End and Sunday Law

Romans 11:23

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Romans 11

1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

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

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

God's mercy is continually extended, leading people to repentance, and it will be available until the close of human probation, which occurs when Christ's mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary concludes and a universal Sunday law is enforced, marking the final test for humanity.

God's Enduring Mercy and Romans 11:23

God's goodness is boundless, and His purpose of mercy has always been consistentBHOTV1 7.1. The Scriptures affirm that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:9SSW December 1, 1895, par. 5+1. This profound desire for salvation is reflected in Romans 11:23 which speaks of God's ability to "graff them in again" if they do not persist in unbelief. This means that God's door of mercy remains open to those who turn from their ways and embrace His truth.

Indeed, the grace of God has appeared to all men, bringing salvation, and its purpose is to save humanity from sin and transgression of His law Titus 2:11PTUK August 22, 1895, page 532.10+1. Accepting this grace enables individuals to walk without faultPTUK August 22, 1895, page 532.10. Furthermore, through Christ's sacrifice, humanity has been granted a "second probation," another opportunity to choose God as their Leader12LtMs, Ms 49, 1897, par. 9+2. This underscores the depth of God's mercy and His unwavering commitment to provide further chances for reconciliation. The Apostle Paul beautifully declares that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, so that grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord Romans 5:20-2118LtMs, Lt 182, 1903, par. 27.

The Close of Mercy (Probation) in Adventist Belief

The "end of mercy" or "close of probation" refers to a solemn future event when Christ concludes His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuaryGP 92.2+3. At this time, the investigative judgment will be finished, and a final, irrevocable declaration will be made, echoing Revelation 22:11: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still"SH 105.3+3. This signifies the end of the period when individuals can change their character and secure their eternal destiny13MR 156.1+8.

Early Adventists held a belief in a "shut door" after the 1844 disappointment, which was initially misunderstood by some to mean no more salvation for sinners1EGWLM 42.2+9. However, this understanding evolved as further light was received. It became clear that the "shut door" primarily referred to Christ's change of ministry in the heavenly sanctuary—moving from the holy place to the Most Holy Place in 1844 for the investigative judgment1EGWLM 46.5+4. This did not signify an end to mercy for all sinners but rather for those who had definitively rejected the light and had chosen to persist in unbelief1EGWLM 43.2+10. It is important to understand that there is no "probation after death"; rather, our eternal fate is determined by the choices made during this lifeCOL 319.1+8.

The Sunday Law and its Role in the End of Mercy

The close of probation is intimately linked with the final events on earth, particularly the enforcement of a universal Sunday law. A short time before probation closes, religious and political leaders will unite to form an "image to the beast," and they will issue a universal Sunday lawLDE 228.3+1. This law, seeking to enforce Sunday observance through civil power, will become the ultimate test of loyalty to GodLDE 228.3+3.

The third angel's message, which is the last message of warning and mercy to the world, specifically cautions against worshipping the beast and its image and receiving its mark Revelation 14:9-119MR 291.1+20. This warning implies that God's mercy is extended until this final test is presented to humanity. Those who choose to keep the commandments of God, including the seventh-day Sabbath, will be sealed with the seal of the living God Revelation 7:2-41EGWLM 168.2+5. In contrast, rejecting the Sabbath in favor of a man-made Sunday law would be a rejection of God's authorityEVRR230+5.

As the close of probation approaches, there will be a "Loud Cry" of the third angel's message, empowered by the latter rain, proclaiming these truths with increasing power to the entire worldGP 89.5+14. This final call provides every individual with the opportunity to make their decisive choice for or against God's law before mercy's door closes foreverSWk 21.2+1. It is a period of intense spiritual sifting and preparation, ultimately leading to a clear separation between those who obey God and those who choose to follow human traditionsEVRR718+1.