Milo

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

Revelation 22:18-19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

Deuteronomy 4:2
Verse Concepts
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Proverbs 30:6
Verse Concepts
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

Proverbs 30:5-6
Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

Deuteronomy 12:32
Verse Concepts
“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

Matthew 22:29
Verse Concepts
But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Mark 7:13
Verse Concepts
thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

Genesis 3:1-4
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.read more.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Adding-To-The-Bible

The war in Ukraine has reignited beliefs among some conservative evangelicals that Russia could help fulfill biblical prophecies about the end of the world.

These evangelicals, particularly charismatic Christians who focus on end-times theories, have long believed that Russia has a special role to play in the end times and are sharing new theories about why the invasion of Ukraine might be part of God’s plan.

Earlier this month, California megachurch pastor Greg Laurie, who was part of President Donald Trump’s inner circle of pastor-advisors, told his followers he saw a “prophetic significance” to what is happening in Ukraine. And Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin was “compelled by God” to attack Ukraine. Since then, people who engage in prophecy have been giving their own biblical interpretations of global events, particularly around Russia’s role in triggering the end of the world.

A Rapture Index that tracks what it sees as end-times activity recently increased its index to 187 out of 200. The index hit 182 after Sept. 11, 2001. In its most recent update, it notes climate change, the coronavirus and the rise of oil prices as factors for recent changes.

Conservative Christians have long looked at world events and pointed to biblical references as signs that what is happening in the world could fulfill biblical prophecy, and this time is no different, said Michael Brown, host of the Charlotte-based Christian radio show “The Line of Fire.”

“When you have Christians who already think about how we’re living in the last days and they see the continual moral decline of America, they see the church being marginalized, it doesn’t take much to tip the scales,” he said. “Whenever Russia gets involved, it’s like, ‘Ah here it is, it’s the final conflict.’”

Some evangelicals once believed that Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of the Soviet Union, was the Antichrist, in part because he had a birthmark on his forehead that conjured up concerns that it could be “the mark of the beast,” a biblical sign for Satan in the end times.

A Ukranian bishop in late February likened Putin to the Antichrist. However, Brown said he thinks Putin is unlike the Antichrist because most of the world appears hostile to Putin while the Antichrist as described in the Bible will bring the whole world under his sway.

Could Vladimir Putin battle the Antichrist? How some evangelicals debate the end times.

A Feb. 20-24 Washington Post-ABC News poll found that White evangelical Christians were just as negative toward Russia and supportive of sanctions as Americans overall. Among White evangelicals, 47 percent said Russia is an enemy of the United States and another 33 percent said it is unfriendly. Similarly, 68 percent supported sanctions and 51 percent said they would still support them if energy prices went up.

White evangelicals were also much more likely to say they disapprove of the way President Biden has handled the situation with Ukraine (75 percent) than Americans overall (47 percent).

Brown said he understands why recent global events, including the pandemic, seem to disturb some conservative evangelicals. Many, he said, are concerned about vaccine mandates and the World Health Organization as possible preparation for a one-world government, or one international leader who will make decisions for the globe.

This is not the end of the world, according to Christians who study the end of the world

“We got a sneak preview on a small level for how people can be moved by fear,” Brown said. “It provided an insight into how we could quickly get to a situation where everyone agreed worldwide to certain standards. If you don’t do this, you can’t participate in real life.”

Based on some Christians’ interpretation of Revelation, the New Testament’s final book, Jesus will return to Earth, believers will be raptured to heaven and will leave unbelievers behind.

For many White evangelicals, Russia is part of that narrative, said Matthew Avery Sutton, a Washington State University history professor and author of “American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism.”

Literature from people such as John Nelson Darby after the Civil War, and the Scofield Bible in 1909, have tied Russia to biblical narratives. The Scofield Bible identifies a “kingdom of the north,” described in the Book of Daniel, as Russia. Hal Lindsey’s 1970 bestseller “The Late Great Planet Earth” also popularized the idea that Russia was the land of Magog, the prophesied invader of Israel in the Book of Ezekiel.

In their best-selling 1995 book “Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days,” Jerry B. Jenkins and the late evangelical pastor Tim LaHaye cast Russia as Magog in a modern-day version of the Book of Ezekiel. “Left Behind” opens focusing on Israel but then Russia attacks Israel for a new technology, setting the stage for the end times.

“The apocalyptic obsession ebbs and flows in moments of crisis,” Sutton said. “We’re at another moment where prophecy is invoked to make sense of current events.”

Daniel Hummel, a historian of religion who is working on a book about a system that emphasizes a literal reading of the Bible called dispensationalism, said Christians would write in the 1840s and 1850s about Russia using literal connections between the Bible and what would happen in the future. Other Christians tended to see biblical descriptions as more symbolic or allegorical.

Christians using a more literal interpretation draw connections between Russia and biblical prophecy and look to a reference in the Book of Ezekiel where it speaks of the Prince of Rosh, which sounds like Russia. During the Cold War, Christian leaders would apply American understandings of good and evil, viewing Communism as an evil force.

In recent decades, Christians, especially those in Pentecostal or charismatic traditions, have seen global events, such as the modern state of Israel, as a fulfillment of God’s prophecies. Since 9/11, some of these leaders have focused on “Islamic terrorism,” particularly on the role of Iran because of how Persia is described in the Old Testament. And anything involving Israel especially provokes commentary about God’s active role in the world.

“There are a lot of people who are cheaply saying [Russia’s war in Ukraine] is prophetically significant,” Hummel said. “You get some credibility for saying prophetic things are happening, but they lose credibility if they try to specify anything. A lot of these people don’t have a clear sense of what the U.S. should be doing, but they want the credibility of saying they’re on the right side of interpreting these things.”

Recent events have given rise to older narratives about Russia, but they’ve also scrambled them, said Amy Frykholm, a senior editor for the Christian Century magazine and author of “Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America.” Frykholm said recent events have complicated how people see Russia’s role in the end times, including how some right-wing commentators have been more complimentary of Putin’s actions.

Within the past decade, Trump’s rise to power also had some altering prophetic predictions, she said, because he didn’t fit with past narratives about how the world was going to end and Christians would be raptured, and he didn’t also quite represent a theology where conservative Christians seek power themselves.

“For so much of the 20th century, it felt like for a lot of evangelicals everything that happened felt like it fit the prophetic pattern: Israel becoming a nation, the Cold War and the way it was divided in good vs. evil, and the atomic bomb,” Frykholm said. “It was built on reading the news as if it was the Bible and reading the Bible as if it was the news. I’m not sure you can do that with this current situation.”

By Sarah Pulliam Bailey