Union sans Fellowship

[Netchaplain]

One can be in union with God without being in fellowship with Him, and such is the temporal condition of unbelieving Israel (concerning God’s Son, but not God – Jhn 14:1). They are “fallen” (Rom 11:12) and “broken off” (v 20) from fellowship, but not “cast away” (vs 1, 2) from union; which fellowship which will eventually be restored (11:23-29; Eze 36:27; Jer 30:22 – with the remaining non-Messianic Jews existing at the Lord’s return, during the Millennium), but they it will continue to be only as a “people of God” and their fellowship not involve the sonship relationship as it does for the Messianic Jews who believe in the Lord Jesus before His return (Jhn 20:29).

Our union with the Father is established within our union with Christ; but our fellowship with the Father and His Son is established gradually as we learn what’s involved; same as “living in the Spirit,” and eventually learning to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:24). Though our greatest desire is fellowship with God, (and there is a level of fellowship as “babes in Christ”), it requires time for Him to teach us what is involved and meant concerning “fellowship in the Gospel” (Phl 1:5). As our knowledge and understanding grows in His Word, we draw near to Him in fellowship, which is the overall goal and purpose of everything!

Paul described Israel's restoration as a "mystery" (Rom 11:25). Only the believers in God prior to Christ’s coming were in union with Him, never those who did not believe in God.