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“...the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together. And not only they, but ourselves also... groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Rom. 8:22-23
The sadness and sorrow shown in the news is often so unbearable to watch that we must turn our eyes away. And, it is not only humanity that is suffering, but “the whole creation” — animals, trees, oceans, and even the air we breathe. In addition to the devastation from man-made wars, this entire planet has been especially compromised by the carelessness of man, resulting in what are commonly called “natural disasters.”
Some have asked, “If God has a plan to put an end to all this suffering, what is He waiting for?” The Apostle Paul in our theme text provides the answer. The poor groaning creation is waiting for the adoption — the manifestation or revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19-23) Until the sons of God are adopted and revealed the whole creation must continue to wait for relief from their pain and suffering.
Who Are the Sons of God and Why Should the Creation Wait for Them?
The Apostle Paul explains who these sons of God are when he states earlier in Roman 8:14-17 “As many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God… the children of God… heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” Simply put, these sons are the body of Christ, the little flock — the Church. (1 Corinthians 12:12; Luke 12:32) They are being prepared to live and reign with Christ in his Kingdom, dispensing blessings, teaching righteousness and bringing healing to a world which has been in crisis since the fall of Adam in the Garden. The Church, when complete, will be able to say to those raised to life again upon the earth that they understand every ill that the world has endured. Jesus’ followers have trusted in him to cover their sins and help them to overcome their weaknesses even while living in this present world dominated by sin and selfishness. “...blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-16
This work of perfecting the sons of God has been going on throughout the Christian era. Christians have lived in a hostile world, filled with opposition to their stand for truth and righteousness, and God has promised these a reward for their faithfulness: “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him...” (2 Timothy 2:11, 12) Who shall they reign over? They will reign over the entire world to bring this “poor groaning creation” up the “highway of holiness” to perfection on a perfected earth. Isaiah 35:8-10; Matthew 6:10
An Everlasting Lesson
The entire creation is waiting for and longs for a better day — one without the groaning, travail, pain and the sorrow of death. Both the Old and the New Testaments are saturated with words of promise and hope. All the prophets spoke of the “restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:21) “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.” Haggai 2:7
Despite the extreme suffering mankind has experienced generation upon generation, something constructive will come from it. God realizes the enormity of human suffering, and, from a time “before the foundation of the world,” He planned for the resurrection of all who have ever lived, and an opportunity to gain everlasting life. (1 Peter 1:19, 20) Because “God is love,” He intends to turn these cursed conditions, brought about by Satan’s first lie, into an opportunity to teach mankind the extreme consequence of sin and rebellion. (1 John 4:7-9; Genesis 3:17) Experience with Satan’s evil world will teach mankind the everlasting lesson of trust, loyalty and obedience to our all-wise Creator. And, it is important to note that God does not cause the evil, but has permitted it for a period of time, and very soon all of mankind who have ever lived shall be brought up from the grave, instructed in righteousness, and given the opportunity to turn to Him that they may have everlasting life. (2 Peter 3:9) It is for this very purpose that Messiah’s Kingdom will be established in great glory and with full power. In due time it will bring the salvation for which the poor groaning creation has so long waited.
The Waiting Time Almost Over
The elect body of Christ is spoken of in Acts 15:14-17: “God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name... after this I will return [at the second advent] and build again the tabernacle of David [set up the kingdom of God]...that the residue of men [those who did not accept Christ now] might seek after the Lord...” God’s work since the death of Jesus has not been to convert all humankind at this time, but merely to take out or to call out a people for his name. This "people" is nearly complete, and in God's Kingdom, all the residue of men, who are not of these called out ones, will have their opportunity to seek the Lord by the guidance of Christ and his completed Church. Like him (1 John 3:2) they shall be compassionate priests, understanding judges, and benevolent kings. Revelation 20:6; 1 Corinthians 6:2
When God finally says, It is enough, peace be still, we can rest assured that there will be great changes in the earth, and all will begin to see that the permission of evil was both educational and preparatory to the ushering of mankind into the ages of blessing to come, wherein “all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 28:14) Each will have a full, fair opportunity at that time to gain the knowledge necessary to grow to perfection and to attain everlasting life through their great redeemer. Then, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:7-9
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The following link will help provide the knowledge needed to develop an abiding faith in God's plans and purposes for ourselves and for all the families of the earth: