This is a hard revelation to accept, that God would harden some people in order to “make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy . . . even us.” We question, “Didn’t He say elsewhere in Scripture that He desired ‘that none should perish?’” I tell you His desire has not changed. Go, read and consider the story of Pharaoh and Moses or consider the account of Judas Iscariot. They were given ample opportunity to bow to the will of God, but they would not, and so, He hardened their hearts as far as they wanted them to go. Yes, their end was destruction, but the end for God and His Christ was the salvation of many, the knowledge of His riches given to Jew and Gentile alike, and, the revelation that His power overcomes the world. “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me” (excerpt from Hebrews 3: 12-19). Selah.