<p>9:23 <em>And that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy- </em>The existence of the vessels for destruction is in order to provide context for the glory of the vessels who receive mercy. &quot;Make known&quot; translates a word which means 'make to understand'. Then we shall understand- at the last day, when the riches of glory are realized upon the saved. Then we shall perceive how the whole thing worked out for<em> His</em> glory, and in great richness of that glory. In that day, we will learn by the condemnation of the wicked. The very existence of &ldquo;the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction&rdquo; is in order to &ldquo;make known the riches of his glory upon the vessels of mercy&rdquo;. After the experience of Divine judgment, &quot;ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem&quot;; and yet these are exactly the words used to describe how God will be 'comforted' after the judgments (Ez. 5:13; 14:22). We will come to share God's perspective through our experience of the judgment process. It will teach us to be like Him, to see things from His viewpoint. As a result of it, the struggles we have over &quot;why&hellip;?&quot; not all are saved will be resolved.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Which He beforehand prepared for glory-</em> Our place in God's Kingdom was &quot;prepared&quot; from the beginning of the world (Mt. 25:34; Heb. 11:16 s.w.), although it was the Lord's death which prepared the place for us (Jn. 14:2,3 s.w.). But it is up to us to accept it; places in that Kingdom were &quot;prepared&quot; for Israel but they declined the invitation (Mt. 22:4 s.w.). This is the tragedy- eternity is prepared for some who refuse it. The depth of the tragedy of itself urges us to do all we can to spread the Gospel and strengthen those who have responded.</p>