Yes — creation waits because its deliverance from the curse is tied to the future manifestation of God's children, who will be revealed in glory and reign with Christ.
Romans 8:19-22 shows that creation was subjected to vanity under the curse, not willingly, but in hope. Les Feldick explains that believers are already children of God in the present tense and joint heirs with Christ, yet their public manifestation is still future. When that manifestation occurs, creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:19 — This verse directly states that the creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:20-21 — These verses explain that creation was subjected to the curse in hope and will be delivered into the liberty of the children of God.
Genesis 3:15 — This promise of a Redeemer was given immediately after the curse and is the basis of the hope in which creation was subjected.
In Romans 8:19, Paul writes, 'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.' The following verses explain why. Verse 20 says, 'For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.' Verse 21 continues, 'Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.' Verse 22 adds, 'For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.' Verse 23 then connects believers to this waiting: those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan within themselves, 'waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.' Earlier in the chapter, Romans 8:14 says, 'For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God,' and Romans 8:17 calls such children 'heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.' Scripture also places the hope of redemption immediately after the curse: in Genesis 3:15 God promises that the seed of the woman will bruise the serpent's head.
Les Feldick teaches that the word 'manifestation' means being brought into the spotlight, under a bright light and magnification, so that what was hidden can be clearly seen. He illustrates this with a drop of pond water under a microscope: as soon as the powerful light is turned on, the slide becomes alive with movement. Believers are already children of God in the present tense — 'we are already the children of God' — but the day is coming when they will be manifested in their place of glory.
Les Feldick explains that manifestation means to be brought into the spotlight, under a bright light and magnification. He uses the example of a glass slide with a drop of pond water placed under a microscope: when the powerful light is turned on, the slide begins to move and living things become visible. Likewise, God's children will be manifested when they come into their place of glory.
Creation was made subject to vanity, that is, the curse, but it was not willingly. It was not creation's fault that the curse fell — it was Adam's fault. Yet the one who subjected it did so 'in hope.' According to Les, the moment the curse fell, God promised a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15, so creation has been able to look forward to restoration from the very beginning.
Scripture says the creation itself 'shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.' Les Feldick explains that this means the children of God will gain control of creation. When Christ rules as King of Kings and believers rule and reign with Him as joint heirs, the glorious new creation will be brought out from underneath the curse and put under their dominion.
Not only the creation groans; believers also groan within themselves. Romans 8:23 says we wait for the adoption, 'to wit, the redemption of our body.' Les Feldick describes this as the great transaction that will usher believers into the glorious rule and reign with Christ — the same day for which all of creation is waiting.
Children of God and Joint Heirs
Les shows that believers are already children of God in the present tense and, as children, are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — the relationship that stands behind the future manifestation.
Manifestation Defined and Creation Not at Fault
Les defines manifestation as bringing something under the spotlight or a microscope, and notes that creation was made subject to vanity not willingly — it was Adam's fault, not creation's.
Creation Waits for the Rule of Christ and Believers
Les explains that creation is waiting for the day Christ rules as King of Kings and believers rule and reign with Him, bringing the new creation out from under the curse.
Curse Followed by the Promise of a Redeemer
Les connects the creation's being subjected in hope to Genesis 3:15 — the moment the curse fell, God promised a Redeemer.
Manifestation as the Spotlight and Microscope
Les repeats his illustration of the pond-water slide under a microscope to show that manifestation means being brought clearly into view.
Believers Groan and Wait for the Redemption of the Body
Les points to Romans 8:23 to show that believers, along with creation, groan and wait for the adoption, the redemption of the body, which ushers them into the glorious rule and reign.
The Earnest Expectation of Creation
Les reads Romans 8:19 and emphasizes that all creation is earnestly waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, even in the face of present suffering.
God's Plan of Redemption From the Moment of the Curse
Les says that as soon as God dropped the curse on the planet, He made a plan of redemption to bring back everything He had lost, and creation will be delivered into the liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
This identifies who the sons of God are — those led by the Spirit of God.
Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Spirit confirms that believers are already children of God.
Romans 8:17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Children of God are heirs and joint heirs with Christ, which relates to the future glory and rule.
Romans 8:18: 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.
Paul sets present suffering against the glory to be revealed, leading into verse 19.
Romans 8:19: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
The key verse: creation eagerly waits for the revealing of God's children.
Romans 8:20: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Creation did not choose the curse but was subjected in hope.
Romans 8:21: Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
This promises that creation will be delivered from corruption when God's children enter their liberty.
Romans 8:22: For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
The whole creation is presently suffering under the curse and waiting.
Romans 8:23: And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Believers are also waiting for bodily redemption, which is tied to creation's deliverance.
Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
This promise of a Redeemer was given immediately after the curse, giving creation its hope.
Les Feldick explains that manifestation means being brought into the spotlight, under a bright light and magnification, so that hidden things can clearly be seen. He uses the example of pond water under a microscope to illustrate it.
Because creation was subjected to the curse not willingly but in hope. It waits for the day Christ rules as King of Kings and believers, as joint heirs, rule and reign with Him, and creation itself is delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Yes. Romans 8:14 says those led by the Spirit are the sons of God, and Romans 8:16 says the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Les emphasizes this is present tense — believers are already children, not merely waiting to become children.
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