Romans 9:23-24 “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?"

God, in his election and predestination, prepared or purposed a people to live with Him in glory. The price for their sins had to be paid by the cross, and they had to be born of the Spirit, and their bodies would have to be changed; but the decree had gone forth and heaven was as certain to be their home as God is wise and good. When Brother Paul says that God prepared them unto glory, we could just as easily substitute the word “predestinated,” and the thought would be the same. They are the objects of his mercy and grace, written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the slain Lamb.

Paul here raises the question, “What if?” If God was willing to shew his wrath, what about that? If He was willing to make known the riches of his glory, what about that? There is a book of life and some names are written there, but whose names? They are not the name of all the human race, but of a portion of it, a vast host that is beyond the ability of man to number at this point in our existence. The names written there represent certain individuals from among mankind, but not all of mankind. Who are they?

We have an old hymn which states, “Free election, known by calling, is a privilege divine.” We have absolutely no way, in this life, to know who was elected, except by the evidences we may see of their having been called out of the darkness of a death in sin into the marvelous light of God’s grace. When we see the fruit of the Spirit, then we have some information regarding an individual’s election. Paul said that he knew the Thessalonians’ election because the word of God came to them in power. They were stirred by the preaching of the pure gospel, and that was evidence of their calling or of their having been regenerated; and that calling was evidence of their election.

God has called some of the Gentiles, as well as some of the Jews. These are the men which He had “afore prepared unto glory.” By their calling He “makes known” the riches of his glory.