Originally posted by darthmix
It says that God has a plan, and then it says that God gave some people foreknowledge of the coming of Jesus (I think) and before that there's a bit about how the holy spirit helps us pray really good.
Hmmm. Maybe I need to find that passage again myself.
Here is what I mean. Starting in 8:18 (Sorry Scribbles. My mistake.)
" For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the coming glory which shall be revealed upon us. (v.18)
For the anxious watching of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. (v.19)
For the creation was made subject to vanity, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it. (v.20)
In hope that the creation itself will also be freed from the slavery of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (v.21)
For we know that the whole creation groans together and travails in pain together until now. (v.22)
And not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we groan in ourselves, eagerly awaiting the redemption of our body. (v.23)
Redmption of our bodies refers to the resurrection, rapture and glorification of the bodies of the saved sons of God to be manifested.
The leading cause of the prevention of the decay of the creation is the manifestation of the sons of God.
And of course verses 28,29 speak of this as God's purpose to conform many brothers to Christ the Firstborn Son of God.
Reality is more fascinating than fiction. So, God's eternal plan including the resurrection of Christ and His brothers is the key to the release of the creation, ie. the universe from the slavery of corruption. I would include that to even mean the dying out of the stars and the growing cold and dispersion of the atoms.
You see the whole big tremendous thing is for God's eternal purpose.
So the resurrection of Jesus, I feel, according to Paul's teaching, is the key to the perpetual lasting of the created universe.
It is amazing how people miss or underestimate the centrality of Jesus Christ to the meaning of all life and existence.