LESSON 227 (10-27-22)
Romans 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God (at the 2nd Advent).
"anxious longing" – APOKARADOKIA, ἀποκαραδοκία, (v.pmi); to await eagerly. This word is used seven times in the Bible and it refers to the rapture every time: (Rom. 8:19, 23, 25; 1 Cor. 1:7; Gal. 5:5; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 9:28)
creation - nature (inanimate and animate) is personified as waiting eagerly for that time.
This isn’t the only time that the Bible personifies nature: it speaks of rivers that “clap their hands” and mountains that “sing together for joy” (Psalm 98:8; cf. Isa 55:12-13)
The land came under a curse when Adam fell and we now know that it will remain under 'undeserved suffering' until the 2nd Advent. In the Millennium, the Earth will revert back to a perfect environment like Adam had in the garden.
Yet still after 1,000 years of perfect environment and a perfect Ruler, one third of the population of the Earth will again revolt against God. This demonstrates that the curse on the land is not responsible for man’s rejection and rebellion against God.
Creation was subjected to futility as a part of God’s curse on sin:
Read: Genesis 3:17-19
Romans 8:20-21 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him (G.F.) who subjected it, in hope 21) that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption (the change of nature in the Millennium – Isa 11:6-9, Isa 35:1-7; Isa 65:25) into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
futility – MATAIOTES, ματαιότης, a state of being without use or value, emptiness, futility, purposelessness
The curse on creation is still felt by us today. If you have a garden, no one needs to tell you anything about the curse on the land. Preparing the soil is probably the hardest part. It has become harder in our time because the soil has lost its nutrients because it never is allowed to go fallow for a time. Artificial fertilizers are used that can’t compare with natures fertilizers. Planting has its problems also. Most seeds are hybrids or contain pesticides. All kinds of fertilizers are sprayed on plants that are harmful to animals, bees, birds, and people. Most of the food we buy is picked too early and additives are sprayed on it to make it last longer, taste better, and sometimes coloring or wax is sprayed on it to make it look better.
Taste a home-grown tomato and compare it to a tomato from a grocery store. Just think about how wonderful the food tasted that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden.