What does 'manifestation' mean in Romans 8:19?
Manifestation means being brought into the spotlight. In Romans 8:19, creation awaits the public revealing of God's children, when they are illuminated and displayed. The term pictures something hidden being exposed by a powerful light, like pond water under a microscope suddenly moving when the light is turned on.
Les explains that manifestation means to be brought into the spotlight. He notes that another writer used the same illustration. It is like taking a little glass slide with a drop of pond water, slipping it under a microscope, and turning on a powerful light; suddenly the slide begins to move as hidden life becomes visible. In Romans 8:19, Paul says the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons or children of God. This follows Romans 8:18, where present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in or to us.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.