Romans 8:18-30
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (vv. 20-21) I’ve been reading the book, Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. He makes a convincing argument that our “permanent Heaven” will be our very own Earth – restored to its original glory. (Please forgive my interpretation of what I’ve read thus far.) Paul appears to be saying the same thing here, that creation itself will be set free and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. As to the phrase, Him who subjected it, my guess is that Paul is referring to God’s casting Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, thereby effecting His judgment of them upon the whole Earth. See Genesis 3:17-19.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (vv. 26-17) These are comforting verses – that we can pray, not knowing exactly what we are praying about, but God knows through the Holy Spirit within us and around us. I have often wondered if those groanings too deep for words are actually believers speaking in tongues. I’ve also imagined those “groanings” as our own deep longing for the Lord to intervene in some situation, when we don’t know what to pray and our prayer is something like “Oooohhh… Lord, help!”
Verses 28-30 bring up the issue of predestination. I am not at all versed in the arguments around that topic. What I can believe, however, is that God has known us even before He created us and that He has wanted all of us to follow His Son. Thereto He calls us – the question is whether we answer His call. The rest follows – called, justified, glorified! GLORY, according to Scripture!! (v. 30)
Slava Bohu!
Ditto, Fred!