Advent Glimpses of our Future
‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1 ESV). The earth is His and He is going to reclaim it entirely (Isaiah 60, Revelation 21-22). Joshua claimed the land for Israel; Jesus, the second Joshua, is going to reclaim the whole earth for His Father and all humanity. The earth is in labor pains and will be born again; it will rise from the dead just like Jesus and His people. It is hard to get our heads around it, but since it is promised so clearly, we can get our hearts around this facet of our future 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. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:21–23 (ESV)
