Don't you think that one can over-spiritualize the way the images are understood in the Olivet Discourse? [Matthew 24, Luke 21, Luke 17, Mark 13,Hebrews 8:6].
Discussion of the use of hyperbole in scripture, particurlary "never before and never again", when it does happen again. [Matthew 24:21, Ezekiel 5:9, Exodus 10:14, Joel 2:25-26].
Isn't Romans 9 (about the potter & clay, Jacob & Esau) just saying that He has the right to do what he wants to do? [Romans 9, Galatians 5:6, James 2, Hebrews 11].