Romans 8:19, A Coming Consummation

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

The Apostle Paul reveals to us that the creation eagerly anticipates and patiently awaits the time when Christ would return to restore it to pre-fall Edenic paradise. At that time, the children of God will rule with Christ for a one thousand years on earth (Rev. 20:1-6) and after that this present heaven and earth will be destroyed and God will create a new heaven and a new earth and eternity will begin. How does this coming future affect the Christian? It will teach him to seek the things that have eternal value rather the things of this world that have a temporal value and will perish with time!

The Apostle Paul, an Old Testament scholar, must have understood this truth from portions of Scripture such as the writings of the prophet Isaiah after Jesus opened his spiritual eyes:

Isaiah 2:1-4 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

The Apostle Paul understands that Christ’s second coming will be a momentous event that will bring about the restoration of paradise on earth. The ravages and corruption that comes as a result of sin will be done away. God’s children will be eternally separated from sin and the propensity to sin. There will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears and no more sin. Believers will be given a glorified body to rule with Christ upon earth. What a glorious prospect! May we be ready for the Lord’s return. Amen.