9-30- ‘01 Looking To Our Blessed Hope
A. Armstrong
Today, we will be looking at Romans 8:16-25
16-17
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God;
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
It is noteworthy that to suffer with him is a condition of being glorified together with him….
John 15:20
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you….
Troubles and afflictions are also part of the Christian walk…
1 Pet 1:7
7 That the trial of your faith…
1 Pet 4:12
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1 Pet 5:9
….knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world
And we are still walking in a world with imperfect bodies that are also subject to afflictions. We can still get sick and suffer in that way.
But Paul gives encouragement for those that suffer in any manner in this life. He said…
ROMAN 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Yes, there are going to be sufferings in THIS PRESENT WORLD.
We can rejoice though in that …
2 Cor 4:17
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
The Bible tells us that…
Prov 13:15
…but the way of transgressors is hard.
Their way is hard and their end is worse.
And though sometimes our way may seem hard, yet the yoke we are under is light compared to the yoke the world labors under.
2 Cor. 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
In that verse, notice the difference between the suffering and the glory. The suffering is called ‘light’- it’s existence in time is ‘but for a moment.’ But the glory is has a ‘far more exceeding weight’- and it’s existence in time is ‘eternal.’
NOTE: It is odd how that many people seem to despise the preaching of ‘taking up our cross’ to follow Christ.
Don’t they know that even though our yoke is ‘a cross’-the world is also under a yoke. And theirs is too hard to bear.
We will bear one yoke or another, for we will have a master.
The command of Jesus Christ is to ‘take his yoke upon you.’
But the joy of it is, that his yoke …
Matt 11:30
30 For my yoke IS EASY, and my burden IS LIGHT.
Yes, I say again - there are sufferings and afflictions in this present world, but it is just for a season…
Ps 30:5
weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Sufferings are something undergone; hardship or pain
So whatever is suffered here; whether persecutions, sickness, grief, hunger- whatever - it cannot even compare with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
However, the endured suffering that actually results in blessing is that suffering endured for Christ; with Christ
Rom 8:17
...if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Acts 14:22
we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Phil 1:29
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
2 Tim 2:12
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him
2 Cor 1:7
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
THE BLESSED HOPE IS GLORY REVEALED IN US.
I think that if we somehow could really get a handle on what that glory entails, that we would lift up our heads - lift up the hands which hang down - strengthen the feeble knees - make straight paths for our feet - humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God - resist the devil…
We would - rejoice in hope - be patient in tribulation - bless our persecutors - provide all things honest - not be weary in well doing…
We would - lay aside every weight - forget the things which are behind - press toward the mark - be steadfast - be immovable - always abounding in the work of the Lord - be grounded - be settled - hold our confidence steadfast unto the end.
Having some kind of understanding of the hope of glory is a great aide to us in being able to do all these things.
Why did Paul press toward the mark? Because he was aware of the prize. That prize was worth lifting up the head, stretching forth the hand, pressing, committing, and submitting.
WHAT IS THE HOPE OF GLORY?
I Jn 3:2
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Phil. 3:20-21
For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself..
The future glory shall far exceed anything we have seen or heard or longed for in our hearts.
1 Cor. 2:9-10
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
That glory revealed in us will be …
Rom 8:17
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…
1Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
We read….
Heb 12:1-2
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Why does it tells us that in running this race we should look unto Jesus as our example?
Because he endured FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM! Likewise, HE HAS SET LIKE JOY BEFORE US!!!!!!!!
Rev 3:21
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
I believe that this speaks of the time of the millennial reign…
2 Tim 2:12
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
1 Cor 6:2
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?
Rev 1:6
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;
Rev 2:26
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Our hope of glory is that wherever he will be [in heaven or earth], we will be with him….
John 17:24
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
THE HOPE OF GLORY IS THAT GLORIOUS LIBERTY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
ROMANS 8:19-20
[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waited for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The word ‘creature’ in each of these verses mean - ‘original formation.’
The earth itself is under the curse that sin brought….
Gen 3:17-18
cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee…
Isa 24:5-6
5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth…
When Adam sinned, it meant not only that all mankind would be tainted with that sin- that it would be passed on to his seed throughout the generations, but that the whole earth over which God had given him dominion would also be brought under the curse of sin.
Creation was condemned to vanity—futility and frustration—by God. Creation did not willingly choose to be condemned to corruption. The world was made to be the home of man, the place where he lived. Therefore, when man sinned, his world was doomed to suffer the consequences of sin with him. Man’s world was cursed right along with him.
Then it brought forth thorns and thistles where once it had only brought forth good things. Then the lamb could no longer feed alongside the lion. Where once the earth was a place of peace and contentment, it became a place of fear and struggle and death.
But notice that it was subjected ‘in hope.’
The situation of the world is neither hopeless nor final.
Creation has the same hope of redemption and of renovation as man. The world was made for man, therefore all creation shall be ultimately delivered from corruption just as man shall be delivered from corruption.
Verse 21 tells us that the ‘original formation’ will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Just as the curse came when man fell, so shall the liberation from the curse come.
Verse 22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travailed in pain together until now.
In v19 where it says… For the earnest expectation of the creature waitheth for the manifestation of the sons of God…
‘earnest expectation’ gives us the word picture of ‘watching with the neck outstretched and the head erect.’
It is an indication of looking, longing, yearning… the same type of expectation that the saints have for the appearing of our Lord.
And here it says that indeed the whole creation groaneth and travailed together in pain…
The picture these words bring to mind is that of a woman in labor.
And when she gives birth it is referred to as being delivered.
I can’t help but look at these scriptures and, knowing what has been happening in our world, feel that it is an apt likeness of that very thing.
In the earth there have been earthquakes for many years. There have been all kinds of ‘natural disasters.’ But, according to what I hear, in the last 100 years these things have increased an amazing amount. Now we hear of devastating earthquakes it seems every year. The earth seems to be experiencing one natural disaster after another. It seems there has never been such a time as this.
And I believe that it will only increase- and the Word of God bears this out.
In 1995 there were 9 volcanic eruption and they have steadily increased until last year [year 2000] when there were 25.
It is reported that every year there is one earthquake in the world that is an 8 on the rictor scale. These are called ‘great’ earthquakes.
Every year there are approximately 18 that are considered major [7-7.9; ricter scale]; There are around 120 annually that are strong [6-6.9]; 800 moderate [5-5.9]; and estimated 6,200 light [4-4.9]; an estimated 49,000 minor [3-3.9]; and about 8,000 per day that are very minor [less than 3.0].
Then, in the book of Revelations, we read of great earthquakes. And in…
Rev 16:18-20
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
The idea expressed is that creation awaits the Day of Redemption: anxiously, expectantly, longingly, and eagerly awaits for its deliverance from corruption. Creation moans and groans and cries for the unveiling of the Son of God.
ROMANS 8:23-25
[23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body.
[24] For we are saved by hope; but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Paul says here that the Christian [and he clarifies who they are]
Those who have the first fruits of the Spirit. The commentators have various things to say about what this means by the first fruits of the Spirit. But I take it to be related to this…
Eph 1:13-14
…that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
It is through the ‘Holy Spirit of promise- the earnest of our inheritance’ that we experience love, joy, peace - the wonderful presence of God. It is by Him that we cry ‘Abba Father!’
It is by Him we experience the first fruits.
That is to say… a ‘taste’ of glory. And so it is also by his influencing power in our lives that we have this great desire for our redemption.
[Groan within ourselves] We sigh for deliverance. The expression denotes strong internal desire; the deep anguish of our spirit in yearning. Such was perhaps the internal desire of the Revelator when he cried, ‘Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!’
I do not believe the song of the redeemed is ‘Wait a little longer, please Jesus.’ NO!!!!!!!! Rather it is…. I CAN’T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD!!!!!!!!
SONG: I am looking for the rapture in our blessed home on high…
When the redeemed are gathering in. How we’ll raise the heavenly anthem in that city in the sky… when the redeemed are gathering in.
Those who have the first fruits of the Spirit are looking for, longing for, and loving his appearing.- to wit, the redemption of the body.
2Corinthians 5:2
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven"
Hope is expectation, confident knowledge, inward possession, spiritual surety.
The believer’s hope cannot be defined as the world defines hope. The believer’s hope is entirely different from the world’s hope or desire or wish. The world desires and wishes for what it can see, and they may or may not be able to get what they long for.
The believer’s hope is entirely different in that it deals with spiritual things and the believer will unquestionably get what he hopes for.
The believer’s hope is based on the inward experience and witness of God’s Spirit. The believer knows that God’s Spirit lives within him, and he actually experiences the things of the Spirit now.
Granted, his experience is but a taste.
His hope of salvation is a present experience—he is saved now—he already has a taste of salvation. The believer’s hope to be saved unto the redemption of his body is a living reality now; therefore, his hope is a sure hope. To the genuine believer, hope is the absolute assurance of things promised, but not yet seen.
As we have said before, the word hope means ‘earnest expectation.’ It is a know-so. I KNOW that Jesus is returning for his own. I KNOW that our bodies shall be changed to the likeness of his glorious body [glorified].
I John 3:1-3
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
This ‘earnest expectation’ motivates me to do what is required so that I shall be a recipient of this promise.
As we said before- when we get a true comprehension of what that ‘glory that shall be revealed in us’ is, then we will press toward the mark…
Jesus, for the joy that was set before him…
We, for the joy that is set before us…
It is when we comprehend this… when we have this hope… that we are willing to ‘forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before…and press toward…
Verse 25 says…
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
And we read in…
Rom 2:7
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
II Th 3:5
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
James 5:7-8
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Yes, we are looking and yearning for the fulfillment of our blessed hope. And because of that foresight, we walk uprightly; according to the Word of the Lord.
