“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God’s salvation, however, is not only about humans. It includes all of creation. When Adam fell, he dragged the whole universe into the consequences of his disobedience. God’s plan to rescue humanity included the restoration of His entire creation to its original beauty and purpose. 

So, Paul’s says, creation is groaning…writhing in pain like a woman in labour…waiting for the birth of something new. This truth is all too obvious in the natural disasters that are increasing in frequency and intensity. It seems that the birth of the new order is imminent. The natural world is joining with us in the birth pangs that herald the final part of God’s plan. 

How will creation know when this is happening? They are watching for “the manifestation of the sons of God”. God’s children, at present, are hidden like “wheat”among the “weeds”, as Jesus’ parable explains. 

“Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭24‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

John also confirmed…

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is something going on in the world that creation knows but the people in the world don’t recognise…God is preparing His people for the great “reveal”! At present, we are hidden from view. We are being prepared, as a bride, for her wedding day. Creation in all its beauty and perfection, will be the “venue” of the wedding ceremony, celebrating the marriage of Jesus and His church. 

Paul has already explained the preparation process…holy through suffering! For the believer, suffering is not a mystery to be explored and understood but a truth to be embraced. Every child of God must endure the pruning to bear the fruit that will adorn the brides’s wedding gown. 

“Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder: “Praise the Lord! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Suffering is not pleasant but it is necessary and transient.  

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Look what suffering will produce if we suffer as Jesus did…

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Put suffering and glory on the scale. Jesus’ glory is so weighty that the scale will immediately drop on His side. Our trials are so light by comparison that they can never outweigh the glory of God which is eternal. 

So, Paul says, creation is groaning and waiting…and the evidence is real…and we are also groaning and waiting… The final chapter of God’s glorious plan is in its way…

““Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To be continued