DO not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. —Phillips Brooks. We must remember that it is not in any easy or self-indulgent life that Christ will lead us to greatness. The easy life leads not upward, but downward. Heaven always is above us, and we must ever be looking up toward it. There are some people who always avoid things that are costly, that require self-denial, or self-restraint and sacrifice, but toil and hardship show us the only way to nobleness. Greatness comes not by having a mossy path made for you through the meadow, but by being sent to hew out a roadway by your own hands. Are you going to reach the mountain splendors? —Selected. Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift; We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle; face it. ’Tis God’s gift.
Be strong!
Say not the days are evil—Who’s to blame? And fold the hands and acquiesce—O shame! Stand up, speak out, and bravely, In God’s name.
Be strong!
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong, How hard the battle goes, the day how long, Faint not, fight on! Tomorrow comes the song. —Maltbie D. Babcock.
‘And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand. And he gave him tithes of all.’ Genesis 14:18–20 SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Hebrews 6:13–20
Observe: (i) Melchizedek came forth to meet Abraham. Believers, like Abraham, are called to a warfare. Jesus their King and High Priest teaches them to fight and conquer and often comes forth to meet them, as Melchizedek. (ii) he brought bread and wine. Thus the Lord refreshes, strengthens his warriors—he comes forth in the ordinances. (iii) he blessed him in the name of God. Jesus had obtained the blessing and he blesses all his people; yea, and they shall be blessed. (iv) Abraham gave him tithes of all—as an acknowledgement to the Lord by his priest. And thus believers render to God their services and sacrifices of praise, by Jesus Christ. Happy are the subjects of this King, the people who have such a great High Priest—no enemy shall hurt them, no weapon formed against them prosper, no charge to their prejudice be received. But what must become of those who reject his mediation and will not have him reign over them? FOR MEDITATION: But JESUS invitations sends, Weak in myself for help I cried, Treating with rebels as his friends; LORD, I am pressed on every side; And holds the promise forth in view, The cause is thine, they fight with me, To all who for his mercy sue. But every blow is aimed at thee.
Too long his goodness I disdained, With speed to my relief he came, Yet went at last and peace obtained; And put my enemies to shame; But soon the noise of war I heard, Thus saved by grace I live to sing, And former friends in arms appeared. The love and triumphs of my King.
I have heard this interpretation before and it does line up with the final judgement of the book of revelation. those who arise to everlasting peace with God and those who have done evil activities during their life times in their own bodies to the resurrection of condemnation. vessels moulded for destruction because of evil actions done in their own vessels or bodies.
In Romans 9, Paul deals with the sovereignty of God in election, picturing God as a potter working with clay: “Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?” (Romans 9:21–23). The vessels of wrath are contrasted with the vessels of mercy; one set is slated for destruction, and the other for glory.
Let’s take a quick review of the letter to the Romans: Paul highlights the need everyone has for God’s righteousness (Romans 1—3) and how God provided for humanity to have that righteousness by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This gift is available because of Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross (Romans 3—4). In Romans, Paul also describes the results for everyone who has received God’s grace (Romans 5—8) and provides evidence of God’s trustworthiness in how He provides salvation to Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9—11). Paul concludes his letter by outlining the responsibilities of believers to live righteously (Romans 12—16). In Romans 9:22 Paul mentions vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, reminding his readers that the story doesn’t end happily for everyone.
Even as he is challenging his readers to trust in God, Paul laments the fact that many of his fellow countrymen (Israelites) were unbelieving (Romans 9:1–5). Paul explains, however, that this sad state of affairs was not a failure of God or His Word (Romans 9:6). God had promised that Abraham’s descendants would be blessed but had chosen Abraham’s line through Isaac and then Jacob (Romans 9:7–13). Not everyone who would come from Abraham would be blessed through that specific promise. God had certainly promised blessing for all the families of the earth through Abraham’s specific descendant (Genesis 12:3b)—Jesus Christ—but the promises pertaining to a great and blessed nation would be for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The question is whether God has the right to choose whom He will bless and how. If God is sovereign, then we should trust Him as the One who knows how to deliver us. But Paul introduces the idea in Romans 9:22 that there are vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. Not everyone will trust in Him, apparently.
If God has the right to choose who will be blessed and how, then some might question whether God is unjust by not ensuring the same outcome for everyone. Paul addresses this question in Romans 9:14–18, explaining that God has the right (as the Creator) to have mercy on whom He will have mercy and the right to harden whom He will harden (Romans 9:18). Paul cites God’s dealings with Pharaoh in Exodus as an example.
Paul then anticipates the question of how God can hold people accountable if, ultimately, He is making these kinds of choices (Romans 9:19). Rather than answer directly, Paul appeals to God’s sovereignty as the Creator and the owner of what He has created (Romans 9:20–21). Pottery doesn’t question the right of the potter to fashion it in a particular way. The potter has the right to fashion from the clay whatever he wants. Paul elaborates by asking a series of questions: what if God—who has the power to judge and exert His authority—was patient with vessels of wrath prepared for destruction (Romans 9:22)? Does God have the right to be patient? Or is He restricted in His ability to show mercy and patience? Clearly, God has that right with no restrictions.
Some have wrestled with Paul’s statement that there are vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. Some have even concluded that he is teaching a doctrine often called double election—that God chooses who will not be saved in the same way He chooses who will be saved. But, like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:6, we should not go beyond what is written. We need to be careful about making inferences when a verse is not explicit.
In the case of the vessels of wrath, Paul raises a hypothetical—a “what if”—to remind readers that God has the right to make such choices if He so desires. But Paul stops short of asserting that God is making such choices. Paul’s point is that God has the right to have mercy on whom He chooses and harden whom He chooses (Romans 9:18), but that is different from asserting that God chooses some not to be saved. Paul isn’t addressing that question; he is making a point about God’s sovereign authority. Thus, if someone is not receiving a blessing because God didn’t promise him that blessing, neither God nor His Word has failed. If He is indeed the Creator, He has the right to bless whom He will, and He has the right to harden whom He will. If He is the Potter, how He deals with vessels of wrath prepared for destruction is His prerogative.
as what the Lord Said to nicodemas , what is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit etc we must be reborn from the Holy Spirit given to all who believe on Jesus for Salvation, or take the parable of the wine skins for an example of the spirit must fill new born anew believers in order for both to be preserved.
and so everyone who has done evil during their life time go down into the heart of the earth , awaiting the final day of God’s Judgement where they will be reunited with their bodies they had upon this earth and will be cast alive into the lake of fire were they will be tormented day and night in the presence of the holy angels forever.
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out of the graves— those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.…
and many just like Judas will wish that they had never been born.
Judgment Before the Great White Throne Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
think about all the murderers in our own generation for example ….then all liars and a whole list God has listed that people commited during their own life times .
The Day of the Lord …as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.…
CHRIST’S THRONE. Not constructed of ivory or gold — but glory. It is a glorious high throne, and it is the place of our sanctuary.
It is lofty, above the heavens; it is magnificent, dazzling to behold; it is eternal, and can know no decay; it is encircled with a rainbow, the emblem of security and peace.
It is Christ’s own throne.
His by heirship, as the only begotten of the Father.
His by the ordination and appointment of his Father.
His by right of purchase, being founded in his own most precious blood.
His by the payer of his people, for they all unite to vote him the throne, and desire that he should reign forever and ever.
CHRIST’S HAPPINESS. He sits upon his throne! He has not to fight for it, or raise an army to defend it. But there he sits and fills it with calm dignity and majesty. He possesses it by lawful right. He retains it by the exercise of grace and justice. He enjoys it with holy satisfaction and pleasure. He satisfies the whole of his subjects — there is not a traitor among them.
He rules . . . by love — pure and holy love; by law — suited to the nature and character of his subjects; by power — having authority to reign, and might to exercise that authority; and by wisdom — the highest wisdom, which overrules all things for his own glory, and the highest good of his subjects.
His throne is now invisible to mortal eyes — but it will be seen by and bye. John beheld it in vision, and writes, “I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, before whose face the earth and Heaven fled away!” “And he who sat upon the throne, said, Behold I make all things new.”
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord Almighty shall reign in the new Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. Then shall be fulfilled the prediction, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”
His government will be successful and eternal, fulfilling all the Scripture has spoken, and answering every end designed by it. He will never be deposed. He will never abdicate, for the Lord shall reign forever, even your God, O Zion, unto all generations. All his saints are ordained to be sovereigns, and will reign by virtue of their union with him, and relation to him. “And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and have made us kings and priests unto our God — and we shall reign on the earth.”
Well therefore, may all who love his name unite to exalt him, and join in singing, “Unto him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen!”
The Lord Jesus is our judge, the Lord Jesus is our king, the Lord Jesus is our law-giver — he will save us!
Hark, ten thousand harps and voices Sound the note of praise above! Jesus reigns, and Heaven rejoices; Jesus reigns, the God of love. See, he fills yon azure throne, Jesus rules the world alone!
King of Glory, reign forever: Yours an everlasting crown Nothing from your love shall sever Those whom you have made your own. Happy objects of your grace, Destined to behold your face!
Savior, hasten your appearing; Bring, O bring the glorious day; When, the awful summons hearing, Heaven and earth shall pass away Then with golden harps we’ll sing, Glory, glory to our King!
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
This is my personal collection of thoughts and writings, mainly from much smarter people than I, which challenge me in my discipleship walk. Don't rush by these thoughts, but ponder them.
Milo 