FUTURE GLORY

Passage: Romans 8:18-25

Key verse: 18

NIV

Present Suffering and Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.(A) 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God(B) to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,(C) in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay(D) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.(E)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning(F) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,(G) groan(H) inwardly as we wait eagerly(I) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.(J) 24 For in this hope we were saved.(K) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.(L) Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.(M)

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Footnotes
  1. Romans 8:21 Or subjected it in hope. 21 For
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (A)are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for (B)the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation (C)was subjected to futility, not willingly, but (D)because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that (E)the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that (F)the whole creation (G)has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have (H)the firstfruits of the Spirit, (I)groan inwardly as (J)we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, (K)the redemption of our bodies. 24 For (L)in this hope we were saved. Now (M)hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we (N)wait for it with patience.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The waiting creation (18-21)

Because of man's sin, the ground was cursed (Ge 3:17). But God, who subjected all creation to futility, had a great hope. His hope is described in verses 21-23. All creation waits for the day of liberation, the day when Christ comes again to restore the spiritual order of Eden and make earth like heaven. (See Isa 11.) Jesus taught us to wait and pray for this time.

2. We wait patiently (22-25)

Sometimes we have high hopes for other people or for ourselves, but our expectations become burdensome. We put our hope in worldly things, only to see them turn to dust; or if we taste the glory of human achievement, we find that it only lasts for a moment. We must make God's hope for the world and for ourselves our own. When Jesus comes again, this world will become like heaven, and our bodies will be like Jesus' resurrection body. Waiting patiently on God is what faith is all about.

Prayer: Lord, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

One Word: Hope of future glory