We share in Christ’s position. Just as Christ is now hidden and unrecognized by the world, so too are we. But this also means that when Christ claims His position (Ps. 2:8) and subdues this entire creation, we too will share in it and be with Him. When He is revealed, we are revealed with Him in glory (Colossians 4:4). We are co-owners of Christ. Being placed in this position is called, in Romans 8, being appointed as sons. Our future glory is in stark contrast to the sufferings of the present time.
Romans 8
17 And if children, then also co-owners: co-owners of God, and co-owners of Christ. For if we suffer together, it is so that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.
unworthy
In this present time we suffer, and who we are is hidden. That suffering is, as it literally says: not worthy of the glory that will be revealed in us. Most translations render it as if the suffering is not worth comparing with the future glory, or something similar. But Paul puts it even more forcefully; he doesn’t even want to compare the two. Imagine that all the suffering of this world is literally nothing compared to the future glory! And there is so much suffering, we all know that. How wonderful that future must be! That applies to us as believers, but later we read that this applies to all of creation.
into us
Most translations render the last part of verse 18 as “glory that will be revealed to us,” but it is put even more beautifully: the glory will be revealed in us. This means that we ourselves also share in it. It is not just something that becomes visible before our eyes, but we ourselves are also glorified.
19 For the eager expectation of creation is the revealing of the sons of God.
The whole creation is eagerly awaiting the revealing of the sons of God, of Christ and his co-owners! (> joint enjoyers of Christ’s allotment)
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope,
21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to decay into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Subjected to Futility
It is God himself who subjected creation to futility. This is not by the creation’s choice, but because of him. This means that when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, it was not their own free will (as they undoubtedly experienced it), but because of God’s will. It was meant to be this way. Adam and Eve, part of creation, were subjected to meaninglessness.
to imperishability and freedom
Creation is subjected to meaninglessness, (with a view) to the hope that creation will be freed from the slavery of perishability. God works through contrasts. Adam and Eve ate from the tree and thereby gained knowledge of good and evil. These things are not available separately. By knowing what is evil, a person also knows what is good and can appreciate the good. It is the same with meaninglessness and perishability. By knowing what these are, we will also be able to truly appreciate what immortality and freedom are. That is why God subjected creation to meaninglessness and perishability so that He might free it from them.
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning and travailing together until now.
23 And not only that, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
pregnant woman
Creation is compared here to a pregnant woman. As Romans 1 also shows, God represents the masculine and creation the feminine. Through resurrection, God begets new life in creation. This is also what is depicted by sexuality.
The suffering of the present time of creation (1:18) is depicted by the groaning and labor pains of a pregnant woman. This is difficult and intense, but creation is in joyful anticipation; it will result in new life. Christ, as the Firstfruits, has received that new life, and we will follow as sons of God, at our adoption and be revealed with Him. This is the revelation of the sons of God (1:19). This adoption takes place at the redemption of our body. We too groan under the transience of creation and therefore we look forward to that wonderful moment of redemption of our bodies at the snatching away. From that moment on, with Him, the Head, we will subject this entire creation. So that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers (8:29).
male son
Incidentally, this is not the only place where the birth of sons, or a son in connection with the snatching away, is mentioned. In Revelation 12, we find a vision of a pregnant woman in labour (Rev. 12:1). Before this woman, who represents Israel, stands a dragon (Satan), who wants to devour her child. As soon as he is born, this male son is caught up to God and His throne (Rev. 12:5). We will discuss this passage in more detail later. For now, I will suffice to say that the male Son is a representation of the body of Christ. As soon as that body is complete, he will be caught up to God and His throne to take up His reign. Romans 8 speaks of the revelation of the sons of God, and Revelation speaks of a male son being born.
the whole creation
Romans 8 not only speaks of our privileged position as firstfruits, but also describes how the whole creation is in labour pains and will be freed from them. This whole creation will share in the life that Christ received as Firstfruits. The snatching awaywill be the starting point for a whole series of events that are mainly described in the book of Revelation. Christ will then no longer be hidden, but will be revealed. That is why the book is called: the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1). But by now it should be clear that wherever He appears, and whatever He does, we as His body share in it (1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Cor. 12:12, Col. 3:4; etc.). So even when creation is redeemed by Him from transience, we play a role in it!
1 Corinthians 15
22 For even as, in Adam, all die, so also in Christ, all shall be made alive.