What is the 'something now' Paul refers to that believers are looking forward to?
Paul refers to the rapture of the church, the believers. It is the imminent event believers are looking forward to and expecting at any time. He sets it against present sufferings, which are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us.
Les explains that Paul is talking about something now that believers are looking forward to and expecting any time, and that is the rapture of the church, the believers. Paul then says the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us. Les notes that Paul knew suffering: he had been in prison often, shipwrecked, received 39 lashes three times, and was hungry, naked, and beaten for the Gospel. Yet even with all his sufferings and hardships, Paul said it was nothing compared with what is waiting for us, the glory that is going to be revealed. In verse 19, Paul says the earnest expectation of all creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons, or the children, of God.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.