ROMANS 8: 18-25-27
THE HOPE OF GLORY
[2 Corinthians 4:15-18]
The preceding verse introduced the thought of participating in the suffering of Christ so that we may participate in the glory of Christ (8:17). This concept of future glory in relation to present suffering becomes the theme of our present passage. The afflictions which we are call on to endure are not only consistent to being a child of God but may come because we are a child of God. But they come with plan and purpose. For God is using our present sufferings to prepare and fit us for glory.
In Christian suffering the Spirit of God creates hope of this future glory. Hope is the middle ground between the suffering of earth and the promises of God. The hope of God does not deny our present circumstances but engenders confidence that God's purpose and promises will prevail making us not only fit for heaven but fit for heaven's glory.
This hope of glory is so grand that it includes the destiny of the whole created order. And what glory that will be. So wondrous an event that all redeemed creation groans with childbirth pains as it awaits the glorious birth of eternity.
I. SUFFERING'S HOPE, 18.
II. CREATION'S HOPE, 19-22.
III. REDEMPTION'S HOPE, 23-25.
I. SUFFERING'S HOPE - is for Incomparable Glory, 18.
The section begins with a pronouncement that future glory outweighs present suffering in verse 18. "For I am convinced that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed into us.
The opening verb is significant. The Greek word translated "consider" means "a firm conviction reached by rational thought on the basis of the Gospel" [Osborne, Grant. Romans. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press, 2004. Pp 210] Based on God's truth Paul arrives at a settled conviction. Today let's consider the powerful truth that future glory is found in relation to present suffering for it can change our lives.
If one reads such passages as 2 Cor.1:8-10; 4:7-12; 16-18; 11:23 to 12:10 he can add up some of what Paul suffered in Christ's service. Even while writing this letter he was preparing to leave on a mission to Jerusalem that would endanger his life (Rom 11:31). Yet he insists that the sum total of these trials does not deserved to be even mentioned in the same breath with His coming glory.
It is as if the Apostle has a scale or balance before him. On one side he places "the sufferings of this present time" and on the other "the glory that is to be revealed to us or "into us." When the glory that is to be revealed is place on the scale it makes all our present sufferings, though they be ever so server, insignificant. Future glory is so great that present sufferings are incidental by comparison. For this glory is forever, whereas our suffering is temporary and light (2 Cor. 4:17). Certainly this truth can help believers endure afflictions.
In this context the sufferings include all suffering that has come as a result of the fall. All pain (physical, mental and emotional), sickness, disappointment, unemployment, poverty, frustration, etc.. All that we suffer until Christ comes again.
The glory is that which is to be revealed [apokalúpt ] "into" (eis) us. When Christ comes His glory will come to us and will be revealed in us. We will not only participate in the glory, we will be part of it. The Angels will behold it in us, and will be filled with thanksgiving and praise to God.
Praise be to God, for we will be part of the radiance of the coming glory which properly seen should make our present suffering seem short and light. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (17) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (18) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
A wonderful Christian as he was breathing his last, seemed to look out through the shutter as he exclaimed, "Glory! Glory! Glory!" His wife looked out too and commented, "Yes, it is a glorious sunset. Shall I open the shutters wider to see it better" "My dear," he replied, "I have seen far, far beyond the sunset."
Emperor Nero was fascinated by the look of glory on the faces of a small band of Christians going to their death in the coliseum. After prayer they looked up and gazed far out into the beyond. Wondering Nero said to an aide, "They see something." Yes sire" the aide replied, "they see the glory of the resurrection from the dead."
Blessed is the person who has the long look and can hear within their soul "deep calling unto deep." Pray that you may be that kind of person.
Not only is their hope in suffering Next we see that the relationship between afflictions and future glory is also seen in the whole of Creation.
II. CREATION'S HOPE - is for Our Glory, 19-22.
Verses 19-22 describe creation's involvement both in man's bondage to sin and in his hope of redemption. Verse 19 is charged with anticipation. "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God."
Here creation is said to eagerly await. ["Earnest expectation" (aposkaradoke ) ) is a composite word made up from (apo) "off or from," head (kara) and to watch (doke ). Literally] it means to watch with head out stretched. It is the attitude of a man who scans the eastern sky with head thrust forward eagerly searching the distance for the first signs of the breaking dawn of glory. Yet here it is used to personify creation's throbbing, vivid, expectation for the revelation, the unveiling of God's Sons.
[Creation should be defined as the inanimate physical universe. One might call it the sub-human creation, the natural universe., or simply nature. This mystical sympathy of the physical universe with the work of grace is beyond normal comprehension. See MacLaren, Alex. Baker. Vol. 12. p 174ff]
Who, then, are the manifested sons of God? We are (1 John 3:1, 2)! The manifestation of the sons of God will take place when Jesus comes back, when we see Him, when we are made like Him, and then, at last, we will be the kind of people we've longed to be.
Beautiful and very meaningful is the phrase "the revelation of the Sons of God." It indicates that not until the day of Christ's return will it become a matter of public knowledge how much God loves His Sons and how richly He will rewards them. "Then, righteous will shine as the sun (Mt. 13:43), as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars forever and ever" (Dan 12: 3). The Son will exhibit His brethren so that all will be able to see what God has done for and in us. No wonder the whole creation is eagerly anticipating the revelation of the Sons of God.
The whole of creation also eagerly anticipating the revelation of the Sons of God because its future glory is intertwined with their future glory, just as it was with man's fall. Which is why this present creation is subject to frustration as verse 20 states. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope"
For the Creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it in hope. In verse 20 three reasons are expressed or implied for why creation so awaits the revelation of God's Sons. The first is because creation is now subject to futility. Since man's sin nature has been subject to futility. Creation's potentialities are curbed , and confined. Creation cannot fulfill God's intended purpose. The creation is subject to arrested development and constant decay not able to achieve God's intention for itself.
The curse of plant disease decimates crops. The loss is estimated at millions of dollars for each separate disease. Plant pathologists must direct efforts toward developing methods of disease prevention, reduction or control. And in a similar manner what is true with respect to the world of plants holds too for the Animal Kingdom. So many of today's viruses find their start in animals.
[ The word "vanity" or futility can mean "emptiness." Pascal was right when he said there is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, for here, Paul tells us the creature was made subject to vanity, or emptiness. Man has a hole in his heart—and although we try to fill that hole with materialism, sexual experience, or recreation, nothing can fill the emptiness but God.
There's a story of a goose who chose a mailbox for a mate after its partner died when it was accidentally run over by a snowmobile. The goose flailed wildly at the letter carrier and nipped at anyone who came to get the mail from the box. It stood by the box night and day. Finally, the goose itself died, standing guard next to its chosen mate—the mailbox.
A lot of people are looking for something to satisfy them, some relationship to fulfill them. But in the end, we all find that anything short of God is a mailbox.]
Second reason why creation so awaits the revelation of God's Sons is because its subjection was not voluntary but imposed. "Not of its own will" says that nature did not choose and thus subjugation is not its own fault. It was due to the effects of man's sin.
Adam sinned deliberately; but it was involuntarily that nature was subjected to the consequences of man's sin. God said to Adam in Gen. 3:17; "Cursed is the around because of you." Let's read Gen. 3:17-19.
The third reason why creation so awaits the revelation of God's Sons is because God did not designate the fall to be creation's final condition.
The Christian has the opportunity to view suffering in a much more realistic light than others because he not only understands the sufferings of Christ but also has insights into the suffering creation. He sees mankind as a victim of the travail of earth in flood and earthquake, storm and avalanche, but he also sees mankind as a cause of much of creation's agony.
God subjected creation to futility but mankind was responsible for the fallenness of creation which introduced death and disintegration. [Briscoe, D. Stuart; The Preacher's Commentary Series, Vol 29 : Romans. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982, S. 168.]
The hope of God's creation is expressed in verse 21. "that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
When God intertwined nature's destiny with man's destiny He gave creation hope that when man is set free creation will be set free also. For nature is to share in the glorious redemption for which the Sons of God are destined.
This world is one where beauty fades and loveliness decays. It is a fallen universe; but it is waiting for its liberation from all this and the coming of the state of glory. Since it was subject to corruption when Adam sinned and fell it will be release when man is completed and glorified.
What a glorious day that will be when all the restraints due to man's sin will be removed and God's creation shares in the revealing and unleashing of the Sons of God's with all their expanding eternal potential. Isaiah 65:17.
Yes, One day the creation will be set free from its bondage to decay. Famous Christian apologist C.S. LEWIS pictures this bondage in his classic Christian Allegory "The Chronicles of Narnia." In the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they suffered from endless winter. And yet when the great lion Aslan, the Christ-figure, comes and vanquishes the witch, winter melts into spring. Creation is set free into the freedom and glory of the children. In this amazing cosmic perspective we learn that our final revelation in glory will engulf the entire cosmos, and reverse and transcend the consequences of the fall. [Schreiner, Thomas. Romans. Grand Rapids. Baker Books, 1998, p 437] Creation will be made new. Our winter will melt into endless spring where the flowers always bloom.
Verse 22 sums up the curse of creation and anticipates creation's future deliverance. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now."
God's universal creation is pictured in the pangs of childbirth. Creation is hurting. Why? Because all creation was cursed when man sinned in the Garden of Eden.
Though we may not hear its voice directly, creation groans through its earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and falling stars. Creation speaks through uncontrollable weather spasms of torrential rain, devastating floods, ferocious winds, and burning heat.
Yes creation is suffering but it is suffering in expectant hope. One day creation will no longer be working at cross purposes. Then all will be in one accord, harmonious blending and working as God's will purposes. As you study nature you fine that along with its beauty, you see its cruelty. We enjoy the colorful flower, but shudder at the earthquakes and tornadoes. Thunder and avalanche are as much a part of nature as gentle streams and peaceful meadows. That is why nature groans and waits for the day when the King comes back and for the day when the trees of the field will clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12).
"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy" John 16:21–22 (NIV).
The incomparable glory to come overwhelms our present suffering. All creation stands at the waiting room window peering in to see the revelation of the children of God in all our glory. This is an amazing picture. If all creation is standing on tiptop eagerly expecting our glory, how much more should we eagerly anticipate it? In the last three verses of our passage shifts from creation to Christians.
III. REDEMPTION'S HOPE, 23-25.
Verse 23-25 continue to give reasons for hope amidst our present trials. Not only is creation groaning but also so are we. Paul says in verse 23; "And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body."
Like creation Christians also groan inwardly as we await our transformation, our full adoptions as sons. Why are we groaning? We groan in frustration over the suffering in this life and we groan in anticipation of all that is to come. Our spirits groan in rhythm with creation longing for full release from the curse into the freedom and glory that will be ours. We are living between the times. We are engaged but not married. God's Son is on the way back, but He's not here yet. We've are heirs, but don't have our inheritance. We've been adopted, but are not in our new home with our Father. We live between the already and the not yet.
Yet hear the hope. We look forward eagerly to "our adoption, the redemption of our body." That grand expectation is The Hope of Glory. So if you are trusting in Christ remind your self that one day we will have a new body and a new creation.
So we wait eagerly [wait is from apekdechomai; 19, 23] along with creation. [This is the third time Paul has used this word in our passage. It connects with our hope.] We live with eager, certain expectation that enables us to prevail today, no matter what we face.
Why do we have such hope of Glory? We have tasted of the rich treasure of eternity and await even more precious treasure. We have received the first-fruits [Ex. 23:19, Deut. 18:4; Lev. 23:15-21] as God's pledge of our final triumph with Christ at the end of the ages. We have the "firstfruits," the first installment or down payment of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our resurrection life (see 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). And having receive a foretaste of what is to be we long in our inner man for the full realization of what adoption into the family of God means. For with our adoption will receive a glorified body fit for an eternal existence (see 1 Corinthians 15:25-58). Yes we groan because of our suffering, but we also groan in anticipation because we know something of what we are missing.
So not only does nature groan environmentally, but we groan internally. Do you ever wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and just groan? Our bodies are wearing out, folks. They're not what they once were—but, praise the Lord, they're not what they one day will be!
[See Maclaren, p 179ff]
Verse 24 insists that this hope is part of our salvation and is legitimate even though man cannot see the Sons of God with their natural eyes. "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?"
Saints are God's children, but men cannot see it. But when He appears who is the "firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29), we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. (See 1 John 3:2.) A child taken from the lowest ranks of society and adopted by a Roman senator would say to himself, "I long for the day when I will be publicly adopted. Then I will remove these beggar's garments and be robed as becomes my senatorial rank." So it is with us today. We are waiting to put on our proper garments and be manifested as the children of God. We are young nobles and have not yet worn our crowns. We are young brides, and the marriage day has not yet come. Our swollen spring of joy, wells up like a geyser, longing to leap to the skies. It heaves and groans within our spirit for room to manifest itself to men.
What tremendous hope the saved should have. For God's Spirit makes it sure and certain (Heb. 6:19f). A Christian can look upon fallen man and the state of the world and through the eyes of God's redeeming love still have hope for the future. We do not despair even in a world filled with sin, death and decay, for we await a Deliverer who will rapture us away.
Verse 25 counsels us to wait patiently for our blessed hope. "But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
"Daddy, Why did God have to make the NIGHTS SO LONG?" The little girl was suffering through a attack of asthma and knew from experience that she could expect relief with the coming of day. Each minute of struggled seemed like an hour as the night of difficult breathing dragged on.
We too wait for the light of a new dawn that our Father has promised when we will suffer no more. Like that little girl those that suffer intently cry out to our heavenly Father in the darkness of this fallen world, "How long must we want for the light of a new dawn.
There is blessing in the very anticipation of God, and along with that expectation is the expectation of glory that will be revealed into us. Though we cannot see it with our eyes, when we meditate upon our salvation it will produce such hope within us that we can be joyful even when enduring suffering. Such is the testimony of Paul who suffered far more than any of us.
In CONCLUSION
A seminary student's wife noticed that her husband had a habit of mumbling to himself while on his way to study. "Only three more years to go," he muttered. The following year she heard him say something similar, "Only two more years to go." During his junior year, he wandered though the house mumbling "only one more year to go." That student was doing more than merely talking to himself. He was practicing a kind of self motivation by reminding himself of the outcome of his studies. The trials of study ultimately led to graduation and the achievement of a greater goal-the student's entrance into ministry.
We approach many of the challenges of life this way. The athlete is willing to endure the discomfort of training by focusing on the prize of victory. The employee puts up with the inconvenience of working overtime by looking forward to pay day. The dieter is willing to forego dessert because the goal of losing weight is more inviting.
Hope is often the key to discipline when the outcome has greater value than the discomfort required to achieve it. Today's passage reminds us to approach suffering with the same perspective.
Are there areas in your life where you are practicing delayed gratification? For example, have; you been saving money for a special purchase, or studying for a diploma? Approach the suffering that sometimes comes with your commitment to Jesus Christ with the same attitude of hope. God doesn't expect you to enjoy suffering. But you can rejoice in the anticipation of the future, knowing that your present suffering will pale in significance compared to the glory you will share when Christ returns.
God has promised that the believer's body will finally be delivered from sin and its effects by the work of His Son. Those who respond by faith to that promise have hope, a confident expectation of that bodily redemption (Gal. 5:5). This is the final step of salvation and it was in that anticipation that we were saved. The redemption of the body (Rom. 8:23) obviously has not yet occurred, but it is hoped for and eagerly anticipated with steadfast endurance in present sufferings (v. 18).
