Romans 8:19-22

Romans 8:19-22

Longing for Eternity

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

1.      All of Creation Longs for the Coming Manifestation (or Revelation) – vs. 19

a.       The final events of the world consist of Christ’s return to call out His church and judge the world for sin. This is the revelation that creation longs for, because currently it is under the curse of sin and death.

                                                              i.      Ephesians 1:10-14 

2.      All Creation is Made Subordinate to the Curse of Sin and Death – vs. 20

a.       Creation suffers under the weight of sin’s curse.

                                                              i.      Romans 5:12 

b.      Creation’s suffering is an involuntary effect of the curse.

                                                              i.      Isaiah 24:5-6 

c.       God has placed creation under this curse because of Adam’s sin, yet still provides a future hope.

                                                              i.      Genesis 3:14-19 

3.      All Creation Will Some Day Be Delivered from the Effects of the Curse – vs. 21

a.       While nature around us suffers under the curse, they look forward to the day of deliverance when Christ returns.

                                                              i.      That deliverance will mean that they are released from the decay that is all around us.

1.      Creation will finally live in peace

a.       Isaiah 11:6-9 

2.      The desert will bloom again

a.       Isaiah 35:1-2 

3.      There will be streams in the desert

a.       Isaiah 35:6-7 

4.      Animals will no longer eat each other

a.       Isaiah 35:9-10 

5.      The mountains and hills will sing

a.       Isaiah 55:12 

6.      There will be no more thorns

a.       Isaiah 55:13 

7.      All flesh will worship God

a.       Isaiah 66:22-23 

b.      Just like creation longs for the return of Christ and His deliverance, so do the sons of God.

                                                              i.      That deliverance from this life will be a glorious reunion with our Savior Jesus Christ.

1.      Colossians 3:3-4

2.      Philippians 3:20-21 

4.      All Creation Longs for the Coming of Christ

a.       Paul compares the entire history of the world to the suffering of a woman in labor. As the glorious new birth approaches her labor pains increase, but her suffering is not eternal. There will soon be joy, and an end to her suffering.

                                                              i.      2 Peter 3:7-13