Creation Restored (Final)
“The earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the manifesting of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” Romans 8:19-22 Even the stuff of which things are made is under strain, though we know it not.
Paul encompasses the whole of God’s creation in this amazing passage. We learn that at present it is in the “bondage of corruption”, and are thrown back to Genesis 3, where due to the entrance of sin the primeval world would bring forth thorns and thistles. Furthermore, at the time of the Flood it seemed as though God had “pulled the plug” from creation, and man’s great longevity quickly reduced from 1,000 years down to 120, and then down to 70.
But all this is due to change. When? We are told that it starts with the “manifestation of the sons of God”, in other words when resurrections begin to occur, and God’s sons are seen in the world. We are told that it will be a time of “glorious liberty for the children of God.” One can hardly wait for this to begin. And indeed, that was Paul’s own desire, as he “earnestly expected” it to happen, and the waiting to him seemed like the groaning of a woman in labour, waiting for the birth of a new world.
What will God’s “new world in the morning” be like? “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.’” Zech.8:4-5. A truly peaceful scene.
“No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not filled out his days; for if a man die one hundred years old he will still be a youth.” Isaiah 65:20. Hence, there will be a return to the longevity of the antediluvials.
Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted. Isa.49:13. So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isa 51:11 “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isa.55:12 “The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph.3:17. They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. Micah 4:4. Many are the prophesied pleasures of God’s children in the Kingdom.
“And it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, let your hands be strong.” Zech.8:13. At last, the children of Israel will no longer be subject to world-wide anti-Semitism. “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.” Rev.22:3. The curses placed upon mankind will gradually be removed.
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Isa.11:6. The curse of enmity between creatures is removed.
“I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land.” Ezek.34:25-27.
These are just a few of the Biblical passages that speak of a glorious future for people on this earth, especially those who have waited for their God, after being through multifarious trials and tribulations.
This series ends now, with the hope that it has been spiritually enlightening, and that which engenders hope for the future. It is the Biblical antidote to television and newspapers which set out to record every new evil that man performs, and every tragedy that occurs, without giving lineage to anything positive.
May God’s Great Revival soon begin. May our prayers hasten that day.
