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Romans 8:22

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Future Glory

18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope21thatOr subjected it in hope. 21 For the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Topics: creation nature birth adoption animal pain advent groaning

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paulwhelms - (eBible Mentor) 10 months ago.

Jesus himself says that the image of birth can be used as a metaphor for the transition from this present age into the age of Jesus' Messianic reign over the earth in glory (see Matthew 24:3-13). Before the dawn of the first day in the Heavenly Kingdom on earth, there will be a growing darkness that only Christ's light-bearing return will scatter. So, Paul says, even up until now (i.e. after Jesus has already come as a babe in Bethlehem) the creation has been groaning. The groaning has not stopped since Jesus has come; it has only become more pronounced as God's eternal plan to glorify Himself in history continues to be revealed. God's plan of redemption is cosmic in its scope; humbling to think that He would not only include us but clue us in to His purposes! (See also Ephesians 3:7-13)