Romans Chapter 9 Vs. 18

 

God's Sovereign Choice

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Rom 9:18

Therefore hath he... This is the fourth time Paul concludes that God has been fair in His dealings.

God was righteous in choosing:

1. Isaac over Ishmael (Rom. 9:7-8; Gen. 17:1-27)

2. Jacob over Esau (Rom. 9:9-13; Gen. 25:1-34)

3. The righteous over the sinners in Israel (Rom. 9:14-16; Exo. 32:32-33; 33:19)

4. Israel over Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Rom. 9:17-18; Exo. 7:1-14:31)

Paul next applies all these instances to God’s present dealings with Jews and Gentiles. He concludes that, since it was the only just and righteous thing to do in the above four cases, it is only just and righteous of God to cut off Israel and choose the Gentiles to carry on His program (Rom. 9:19-11:36).

hardeneth... God hardens on the same grounds of showing mercy. If men will accept mercy He will give it to them. If they will not, thus hardening themselves He is only just and righteous in judging them. People are privileged to humble themselves and seek mercy or exalt themselves and refuse mercy. Mercy is the result of a right attitude, and hardening is the result of stubbornness or the wrong attitude toward God. It is like the clay and the wax in the sun. The same sunshine hardens one and softens the other. The responsibility is with the materials, not with the sun. People are more responsible than these materials, for they have wills to make proper choices. The only sense in which God hardened Pharaoh was in giving him the occasion to harden his own heart or obey. Such is the choice all people have to make daily (2Cor. 2:15-17).

Have you even read that God hardened someone’s heart and wondered why our God would do that to someone? Let’s examine this a little closer.

The Greek word for hardens literally means to make something hard, but is often used figuratively to refer to making stubborn or obstinate. Ten times Exodus refers to God’s hardening Pharaoh’s heart, and other times to Pharaoh’s hardening his own heart.

This does not mean that God actively created unbelief or some other evil in Pharaoh’s heart, but rather that He withdrew all the divine influences that ordinarily acted as a restraint to sin and allowed Pharaoh’s wicked heart to pursue its sin unabated.

Exo. 4:21″ And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.”

We also see this very same thing in Joshua:

Jos. 11:20 “For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, [and] that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.”

We are not to question God’s motives. In both of these instances, this taught us that God is even in control of Satan and all his evil forces. God can cause them to destroy themselves especially by creating fear in their hearts by allowing them to believe a delusion. Remember the story of Gideon?

Because of God’s choice, Pharaoh then hardened his own heart (Exo. 7:13-14, 7:22; 8:15, 8:19, 8:32; 9:7, 9:34-35). All this shows that God chooses and works sovereignly, but not arbitrarily. Yet Pharaoh was responsible for his actions.

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 44

 The King of the North

Daniel 11:44 "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many."




But tidings out... This verse predicts the third tri-continental war of the future

Three Great Future Tri-Continental Wars


1. The first tri-continental war will be for the purpose of forming the 10 kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire territory, fulfilling Dan. 7:23-24. The 24 states now inside this territory will be reduced to 10 kingdoms. This will require a war in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and the defeat of Russia who now controls part of the territory. These 10 kingdoms will be the Revised Roman Empire symbolized by the 10 toes on the image of Dan. 2:1-49, and the 10 horns of the beasts of Dan. 7:1-28, Rev. 12:1-17, 13:1-18, and Rev. 17:1-18.

2. The second tri-continental war will take place after the 10 kingdoms are formed and the Revised Roman Empire continues a short space (Rev. 17:10). The little horn or future Antichrist will come from one of these 10 kingdoms and from among them to form the eighth kingdom of Rev. 17:8-17. In this second war he will overthrow 3 of the 10 kingdoms before the others submit to him (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:12-17).

3. The third tri-continental war will be after Antichrist gets power over the 10 kingdoms, in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week, or 3 1/2 years before the second coming of Christ (Rev. 13:5). The 10 kingdoms under Antichrist will fight this third war with the countries of the north and east of the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 11:44). When Antichrist conquers these new enemies he will lead the nations down to Jerusalem to battle and then Christ will come to defeat them at Armageddon (Eze. 38-39; Zec. 14:1-21 Rev. 19:11-21).

It literally predicts that plans of war against him and his ten kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire will become known to Antichrist and he will lead his armies to victory against the combined nations, east and north of his ten kingdoms.


Russia Not the King of the North



Many teach that Russia is the king of the north of Dan. 11:1-45, but this is impossible for the following reasons:

1. Russia never was a part of the old Roman Empire out of which 10 kingdoms must be formed in the last days and out of which Antichrist must come (Dan. 7:8, 7:23-24).

2. Russia never was a part of the old Grecian Empire, or the 4 divisions of that empire after the death of Alexander the Great, out of which Antichrist must come (Dan. 8:9-14, 8:20-23).

3. Russia is not once referred to in the wars of Dan. 11:4-34. These were eventually fought between Syria and Egypt in a period of about 150 years, ending with the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, as seen in the notes on that section of Scripture. Therefore, to insert Russia into the future war between the future king of the north (Syria) and the king of the south (Egypt) is adding to God’s Word. One might as well identify the U.S.A., Britain, or any other country we want to as the king of the north as to do so with Russia.

4. If Russia is the king of the north of Dan. 11:4-45, then what countries are north of Russia that will make war on Russia, fulfilling the war tidings from the north and east of this king of the north of Dan. 11:44? There are no countries north of Russia that could make war on her, fulfilling this verse. Hence, Russia is entirely out of the picture in Dan. 11:1-45.

5. In the past, Russia bordered the Syrian division of the 4 divisions of the old Grecian Empire, so in the formation of the 10 kingdoms this will perhaps be true of the border between future Syria and Russia. Hence, Russia could be the only country to fulfill making war on Syria at that time, for Turkey will have already been conquered by him and made a part of the 10 kingdoms of Revised Rome, under the king of the north (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:8-17).


Another Fallacy about Russia:


The only other major fallacy about Russia is that she will invade Israel, fulfilling Eze. 38-39. Many are the speculations regarding Russia being the country from which Antichrist comes, of her fulfilling Dan. 11:40-45; Eze. 38-39, and of her invading Israel before the battle of Armageddon. Not one of these theories is true. Even if Russia did invade Israel before Armageddon, no particular prophecy would be involved. Eze. 38-39 could not be fulfilled by any such war, for these two chapters are to be fulfilled at Armageddon only, and not in some war before then.

If Bible scholars will recognize one thing, not only will Eze. 38-39 be clear for them, but also Dan. 11:44. That one thing is, Antichrist from Syria will get power over the 10 kingdoms of Revised Rome in the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week, and then the war between him and his 10 kingdoms and the countries east and north of the old Roman Empire territory will be fought. Antichrist will conquer the eastern and northern countries and become the ruler of Russia by conquest, not by being a native of Russia and coming from her (Dan. 11:44). At that time he will become the Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal of Eze. 38-39—at the end of this war or near the end of the last 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week. Then, and then only, will Eze. 38-39 be fulfilled. The Antichrist will lead the newly conquered countries, together with the 10 kingdoms and other nations that will cooperate with him, through the ministry of the 3 unclean spirits (Rev. 16:13-16), to their end at Armageddon (Eze. 38-39; Joel 3:1-21; Zec. 14:1-21; Rev. 19:11-21).

Thus the king of the north (Syria), will war on the countries north and east of Syria, and they will be defeated, for Antichrist will go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly make away many (Dan. 11:44). Many, if not all the nations north and east of the old Roman Empire territory, will unite to put down this new conqueror who, in 3 1/2 short years, will have gained complete mastery of all the 10 kingdoms of the Roman Empire territory. Realizing that he is set upon complete world conquest they will know that they must defeat him or be defeated eventually by him. So, before he recovers from his bloody wars inside the Roman Empire, they will unite to put an end to his conquests. Antichrist could perhaps conquer more of the world if it were not for Christ’s coming to earth to save Israel when half of Jerusalem is taken (Zec. 14:1-21). Thus, Antichrist’s dream of being a total worldwide dictator will come far short of his goal. Christ will be the one and only worldwide ruler other than Adam and Noah of the human race and Lucifer of the angelic race.

shall trouble him... Hebrew: bahal, to tremble inwardly; palpitate; be alarmed; agitated; to hasten (Dan. 11:44; Gen. 45:3; 1Sam. 28:21; 2Sam. 4:1; 2Ch. 32:18; Job 4:5; 23:15; Psm. 30:7; 48:5; 83:17; 90:7; 104:29).

with great fury... Hebrew: chema’, heat; fury.

utterly to make... Hebrew: kaliyl, complete; wholly consume.

Any hint of any country being opposed to him, would bring their sudden destruction. He will set himself up to be ruler of the whole earth.



Then the Antichrist will hear alarming reports from the east (probably referring to an invasion by a massive army of 200 million soldiers from east of the Euphrates River, Rev. 9:16) and from the north (perhaps another attack by the king of the North; cf. Dan. 11:40). Enraged, the Antichrist will set out to destroy… many of the invaders.

Romans Chapter 9 Vs. 17

God's Sovereign Choice

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Rom 9:17

Even for this... Quoted from Exo. 9:16. Here we have an instance of a wicked king resisting God’s will to the point of destruction. At many points in God’s dealings with Pharaoh the king could have submitted and escaped judgment. But he was too stubborn to do so and therefore God could not do otherwise than punish him for his sins and resistance.

This Old Testament quote proves that God does sovereignly choose who will serve His purposes and how. The “raised thee up”, was often used to describe the rise of leaders and countries to positions of prominence. Pharaoh no doubt thought his position and actions were of his own free choice to accomplish his own purposes, but in reality, he was there to serve God’s purpose.

We know that the 10 plagues that came upon Egypt were for the purpose of discrediting the false gods of Egypt. Egypt represents the world. God shows, through Pharaoh’s rebellion, that the gods of this world are no match for the real God. We see an almost identical Scripture in the Old Testament account of this event.

Exo. 9:16 “And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to show [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.”

1Sam. 2:7-8 “The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.” “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.”

Look also at Proverbs:

Prov. 16:4 “The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”

This all speaks for itself, we need no more comment here.

It is significant that Paul introduced this quotation with the words, For the Scripture says, for he equated the words of God with the words of Scripture. Paul concluded, God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy (cf. Rom. 9:15) and He hardens whom He wants to harden (“make stubborn”; cf. Exo. 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:27; 14:4, 14:8; cf. Exo. 14:17). Because of God’s choice, Pharaoh then hardened his own heart (Exo. 7:13-14, 7:22; 8:15, 8:19, 8:32; 9:7, 9:34-35). 

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 43

 The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:43 "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians [shall be] at his steps."

Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps

Prophetic Sensationalism

When Mussolini took Libya and Ethiopia in 1935, thousands of Bible students hailed him as the Antichrist, claiming Dan. 11:43 was being fulfilled. This, plus the fact of his dream of the revival of the Roman Empire, caused many to teach that he was truly the Antichrist, but how wrong they have been. This and all other foolish speculations of the past about Hitler, Stalin, the pope of Rome, and others should cure students of further guessing concerning the fulfillment of prophecy, but this seems impossible.

Speculation still goes rampant through the land without check. Some have gone so far as to find the U.S.A. in the name of Jer-USA-lem. Others see the U.S.A. in Isa. 18:1-7, in the white horse rider of Rev. 6:1-17, and the two-horned lamb of Rev. 13:1-18. Innumerable speculations have been advanced concerning the name of the Antichrist, the mark of the beast, and a host of other things of Scripture. Some even find flying saucers in Scripture, as well as the atom bomb, the H-bomb, the airplane, the automobile, radio, television, and other modern inventions, while the truth is that not one of these is mentioned apart from the general statement that "knowledge shall be increased" (Dan. 12:4). Libya and Ethiopia could be conquered by any number of men, if the Lord tarries, without fulfilling Dan. 11:43. Unless one conquers after the 10 kingdoms are formed (Dan. 7:24), after the rapture of the church, and comes from Syria and makes a 7-year covenant with Israel (Dan. 8:9-14; 9:27), he cannot fulfill this prophecy. There would be no sensational speculation about prophecy if men would watch the time element and other facts that identify a true fulfillment.

We had mentioned earlier, that this was a man of great wealth and power. Nothing will be withheld from him. This ruler is against Christ, and all the believers in Christ. Many nations feel the same way he does about the Christians and Christ.





When the Antichrist hears of this invasion, he will move his army from Europe into the Middle East, sweeping through many countries… like a flood (Dan. 11:40). He will move quickly into the land of Israel, the Beautiful Land (Dan. 11:41; cf. Dan. 11:16; 8:9). His first strike will be against Egypt (Dan. 11:42-43), for Egypt and her Arab allies (Libyans and Nubians, Dan. 11:43) are the ones who will initiate the invasion on Israel. On this occasion the king will not conquer the territory of Edom, Moab, and… Ammon (Dan. 11:41), now included in the present kingdom of Jordan. But he will gain control over “many countries.”

Romans Chapter 9 Vs. 16

God's Sovereign Choice

So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Rom 9:16

Many will seek to do the things of God, but many will do these things for the wrong reasons. Just being a good person and doing things their way according to how they believe, no matter what they do, will not be shown mercy. We live in a society today that this has become the norm. Many have created their own God instead of obeying God’s Word. This will be a fatal mistake as many in that day will cry out “Lord, Lord” but the Lord will tell them, “Depart, I never knew you.”

It is God and He alone who shows mercy. It is His gracious choice of certain people unto eternal life. Salvation is not initiated by human choice and even faith is a gift of God. Salvation is never merited by human effort.

1Pet. 2:9-10 “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” “Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

We read also in Titus:

Tit. 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

The Apostle Paul then presented his third illustration, the Egyptian Pharaoh of the Exodus. To him God said through Moses, I raised you up (i.e., brought you onto the scene of history) to display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth (cf. Exo. 9:16). God’s power (cf. Rom. 9:22) was demonstrated as He freed the Israelites from under Pharaoh’s hand. And other nations heard about it and were awed (Exo. 15:14-16; Jos. 2:10-11; 9:9; 1Sam. 4:8). 

Daniel Chapter 11 Vs. 42

The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:42 "He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape."



He shall stretch... The countries referred to here must be the three kingdoms he will subdue (Dan. 7:24), besides the rest of the ten kingdoms of Revised Rome that will submit to him (Rev. 17:12-17), plus Libya and Ethiopia (Dan. 11:43).

the land of... If the wars of Dan. 11:5-34 are only between Syria and Egypt, and if the last-day war of Dan. 11:40-43 is between Syria and Egypt, ending with the overthrow of Egypt (the king of the south) by Syria (the king of the north), then it settles the question as to where Antichrist comes from. He arises from Syria and will fulfill Dan. 7:8, 7:19-27; 8:9-14, 8:22-25; 9:27; 11:40-45; 12:1-7; Rev. 6:1-8; 13:1-18; 16:13-16; 17:8-17; 19:19-21.

This powerful ruler that has set himself up as god in the temple in Jerusalem has control over many armies and many countries. At one point, they will all be subject to him.



When the Antichrist hears of this invasion, he will move his army from Europe into the Middle East, sweeping through many countries… like a flood (Dan. 11:40). He will move quickly into the land of Israel, the Beautiful Land (Dan. 11:41; cf. Dan. 11:16; 8:9). His first strike will be against Egypt (Dan. 11:42-43), for Egypt and her Arab allies (Libyans and Nubians, Dan. 11:43) are the ones who will initiate the invasion on Israel.

Romans Chapter 9 Vs. 15

God's Sovereign Choice

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Rom 9:15

I will have... See Exo. 33:19. Here Paul shows that God is sovereign over His mercy. He has laid down His terms of mercy and compassion and will not dispense with either until people meet His terms. He will not save one soul without repentance and continued conformity to His will, nor will He damn one soul that will meet His terms.

It is God’s world and we are His creation. He can do with us whatever He chooses to do. We are His creation and He is the Creator.

This is quoted from (Exodus 33:19). In response to the accusation that such a teaching about God’s sovereign election is inconsistent with His fairness, Paul cites this text from the Old Testament that clearly indicates that God is absolutely sovereign, and does elect who will be saved without violating His other attributes. He determines who receives mercy.

The issue in such matters is not justice but sovereign decision, as God’s word to Moses (Exo. 33:19) quoted by Paul indicates.