Mission Venture Ministries

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22) 

This verse is part of a larger passage in Romans 8 that discusses the future glory awaiting believers and creation itself. Here are the key points about this verse: 

The verse personifies all of creation as experiencing pain and distress, likening it to the groaning of childbirth. This metaphor suggests that creation is in a state of suffering and longing for something better. 

The phrase “right up to the present time” indicates that this groaning has been continuous since sin entered the world and continues to the present day. 

While the verse describes suffering, the childbirth metaphor also implies hope. Just as labor pains lead to new life, creation’s groaning is seen as leading to a future renewal. 

The groaning of creation is linked to the anticipation of future redemption and restoration, when God will make all things new. 

Paul connects the suffering of creation with that of believers, who also “groan inwardly” while awaiting their full adoption and redemption. 

The groaning of creation points towards the eventual new heavens and new earth, where the effects of sin and the curse will be fully reversed. 

In essence, Romans 8:22 paints a picture of a creation in distress, yet with an underlying hope for future renewal and restoration. It presents the concept of redemption as a cosmic event, not limited to individual human salvation, but encompassing the renewal and restoration of the entire created order. 

Basically what we need to understand is that when Adam fell, creation fell, too. It was never God’s desire that we live in a climate of fear of natural disasters, shifting tectonic plates, tornadoes, hurricanes, erupting volcanoes, etc. 

Life in a fallen world is far different than life in the initial created world. Adam and Eve went from walking in the garden in the cool of the day with the Lord, to being barred from that very garden. An angel with a flaming sword guarded the way to the tree of life which was in the center of the garden; lest man’s fallen condition became eternal. 

We live in a time when the travails of the earth are increasing in frequency and intensity in a labor-pain-like fashion. Earthquakes are increasing, weather phenomena are getting more intense, and plagues are far-reaching the globe and another comes as soon as the previous one subsides. 

How do we keep from being overwhelmed at such a time as this? Remember that Jesus has overcome the world and will someday create a new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwells. No earthquakes or hurricanes, no famines or plagues. What man caused in the garden, Jesus reconciled on the cross! 

Revelation 22:1-5 states: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” 

In this life we will have the experiences that come with living in a fallen world. When Jesus reminds us in John 16:33 that He has overcome the world, He used the word “tribulation” which means “burdens, anguish, and afflictions,” and He followed this by calling us to be of good cheer because He has overcome this world. 

So as the world groans and travails as it awaits its deliverance from the curse, let’s remember that the curse that came with the fall of man is going to lifted someday and what is in store for us in the next life is this: God promises a magnificent future for the believer, complete with a brand-new, glorified body. At present, we only have a taste of our glorious future, through the presence of the Holy Spirit who is within us. He is the down payment, or deposit, guaranteeing our full adoption as God’s children and the release of our bodies from sin and suffering (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13–14; 4:30). 

In the meantime, all creation groans, believers, along with the rest of the fallen universe, travail as a woman in childbirth, longing to be clothed in their heavenly bodies (2 Corinthians 5:2). Significantly, the pain of childbirth is not endured without the hope of new life. Paul, knowing that hope transforms suffering, gave believers this inspiring metaphor. Just as a woman labors through the agony of birth pangs with the hope of new life, all creation groans as it waits for the promise of full and final restoration and redemption. We may suffer now, but our heavenly reward is worth the wait. 

Now, as we await His return we call out . . . Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus! 

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