Jesus Is Coming Again Pt. 4 All Creation Awaits Christ's Return

Creation awaits for Christ to take His church home. 

Romans 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 

The apostle Paul is writing about the coming of Jesus Christ to take His church home to heaven, for the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

The sons of God refers to believers in Jesus Christ both male and female (See for example, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18). 

Their manifestation will occur at the first resurrection, when Jesus come in the clouds, and the dead in Christ rise from the grave first. 

This will be followed by all living believers being changed and caught up to Christ in the clouds, and going to heaven (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 

All creation groans under the curse.

Rom 8:20-22  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21)  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22)  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 

This is the idea that all creation is under the curse due to the fall. Animal life and plant life were impacted by the curse. 

Paul describes all creation groaning like a mother about to give birth. All creation is awaiting to be delivered from the bondage of the curse. 

God will create a new heaven and new earth. 

Isaiah 65:17-18  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18)  But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 

Isaiah 66:22  For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 

2 Peter 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

After the return of Christ, and after the final judgment of Armageddon, and after the last rebellion, when Satan is cast into the eternal lake of fire, God will create once again.

He is going to create new heavens, and a new earth. There will be a new Jerusalem and it will be a kingdom marked by eternal righteousness with no exception. 

Only the redeemed people of God will live there. No sinners will be found. No depraving influences will exist. 

The time of Christ's return draws closer each day. 

Romans 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 

The apostle Paul, guided by God's Spirit, urged the church to wake up, for the return of Christ was drawing ever nearer. 

This is a message we should heed. It is very easy for Christians to become distracted by the things of this life, even necessary things, like providing for our families. Living for Jesus must be our priority.

While we work, study, shop, travel, or relax, we should do all things heartily as unto the Lord. Whatever things that we undertake, they should be done with thoughts of bringing honor to God. 

We too, should be filled with a longing and anticipation for Jesus to return, and set all things right. 

When Jesus returns to take us home, our adoption will be complete. 

Romans 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

Thus, Paul tells us that believers in his day, groaned within themselves, waiting for Christ to come back. When He does come back, we will receive a new, glorified body and will finally be rid of our old man, the sin nature inherited from Adam.

Adoption into the family of God is possible through the new birth. When we are regenerated by the Holy Ghost, He takes up residence in each believer's heart. He joins us all together in the body of Christ. 

The new Jerusalem will be perfection. 

Revelation 21:22-27  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23)  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24)  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25)  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26)  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27)  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

The apostle John also saw the new heavens and the new earth, along with new Jerusalem. He described something glorious, pure and holy. 

In that new world, nothing can defile, nothing abominable, and no liars shall be found. It will be marked by perfect holiness and righteousness. It will be known for the complete absence of sin, the Devil, misery and death.

Whether we live or die, we belong to Jesus Christ. 

Romans 14:7-9  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8)  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

The Lord sustains our days and He numbers them. He gives us life and He knows when this physical life will expire. 

Therefore, Paul tells us to remember that no matter what state we are in, Jesus Christ is our Lord and King. 

We will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

Romans 14:10-12  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11)  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Paul is showing us that we ought not to be judging each other. Why? Because all believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

This is not a judgment for our sins, because that was taken care of at the cross. Paul mentioned the believer's judgment before Christ as taking place at a "bema" judgment seat. 

The "bema" seat was where Olympic judges passed out rewards to winning competitors. Paul describes this judgment in 1 Corinthians 3: 9-17. 

We may receive a reward from our Lord or we may suffer a loss of reward if we served Christ with wrong motives or impure hearts (See Matthew 25:14-30). 

Thus, as we think about the second coming of Jesus Christ, we ought to remember these truths. 

May the Spirit of God help us understand these things and prepare us for Jesus' return.

Bob