The curse on creation is significant because it reveals the full consequence of Adam's sin while also launching God's promise of redemption—creation itself will be delivered from the curse into the liberty of God's children.
The curse affects the entire created order—animals, plants, even the rocks—but it was not creation's fault. Romans 8:20-22 says the creature was made subject to vanity 'not willingly' and now groans in pain, yet the same passage promises deliverance into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Les Feldick points out that the moment the curse fell, God immediately promised a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15, so the curse is not the final word.
Genesis 3:15 — Promised the Redeemer immediately after the curse, giving creation its hope of deliverance.
Romans 8:20-22 — Describes creation's subjection to vanity, its present groaning, and its future deliverance into liberty.
Romans 8:20 says, 'For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.' The creature did not bring the curse upon itself; it was subjected to it by the one who allowed it, and it was subjected 'in hope.' Romans 8:21 continues, 'Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.' So creation is not left without hope—it will be delivered into liberty. Romans 8:19 says, 'For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.' And Romans 8:22 adds, 'For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.' The whole created order is presently in a state of groaning and pain, waiting for that future manifestation. This hope reaches back to Genesis 3:15, where God promised the seed of the woman—the Redeemer—right after the curse was pronounced: '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.'
Les explains that when Adam sinned, the curse fell on everything—inanimate and animate alike. The birds, the fish, the animals, even the ground itself came under the awful effects of the curse. In the second half of Romans 8, Paul says creation was made subject to vanity, which Les identifies as the curse. Creation didn't willingly cause this; it wasn't creation's fault. God subjected creation 'in hope,' meaning He intended from the very moment of the curse to bring about restoration. Les points out that Genesis 3:15 immediately follows the curse with the promise of a Redeemer. Les teaches that all of creation—the rocks, rivers, trees, birds, fish, and animals—is looking forward to the day when the curse will be lifted. That day is connected to the manifestation of the children of God, which Les describes as being 'put under the spotlight.' When believers are revealed in glory, creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Les also says believers will rule and reign with Christ as joint heirs and will have dominion over the new creation. He even notes that the tribulation will 'pay off' the curse, and the world will be delivered from it. Les illustrates the present condition of creation by noting that animals are under constant duress—constantly searching for food and constantly trying to protect themselves from becoming food. He stresses this was not the way God originally intended creation to function. The whole creation is groaning and travailing in pain together until now, waiting for the day when Christ will rule as King of Kings and we will rule and reign with Him.
Romans 8:20 says the creature was made subject to vanity 'not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.' Les identifies 'vanity' with the curse. He explains that the moment Adam sinned, the curse fell on everything—the birds, the fish, everything animate and inanimate. Creation had nothing to do with Adam's sin, so it was not willingly subjected. Yet God subjected it 'in hope,' and immediately after the curse He promised a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15.
Les defines manifestation as being 'put under the spotlight.' He says our day is coming when believers will be literally put in the spotlight, and all of creation is waiting for that day when we come into 'this place of renown.' Romans 8:19 says the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for this manifestation. Creation is not just waiting idly—it is eagerly looking for the revealing of God's children.
Romans 8:21 promises that creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Les says that believers will gain control of creation and will rule and reign with Christ as joint heirs. He also says we will be in dominion over the glorious new creation that is brought out from underneath the curse. The deliverance is tied to the day Christ rules as King of Kings.
No. Scripture says the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (Romans 8:21). Les teaches that the tribulation will 'pay off' the curse and the world will be delivered from it. All of creation—the rocks, rivers, trees, birds, fish, animals—is looking forward to when the curse will be lifted. The curse is not permanent because God subjected creation 'in hope.'
Every Creature Is Aware of Its Creator
Les says 'every creature' is aware of the Creator, using examples like a cottontail rabbit or birds flying by, showing that the curse affects all creation.
The Curse Came With a Promise
Les identifies 'vanity' with the curse and points out that God subjected creation 'in hope,' immediately promising a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15.
God's Plan of Redemption After the Curse
Les teaches that when God dropped the curse on the planet and the human race, He immediately made a plan of redemption to bring back everything He had lost.
Manifestation Under the Spotlight
Les explains manifestation as being 'put under the spotlight' and says all creation is waiting for believers to come into that place of renown.
The Curse Fell on Everything
Les says the moment Adam sinned, the curse fell on everything—animate and inanimate—and even causes deserts like the Sahara. The tribulation will pay off the curse.
Everything Is Under Bondage of Corruption
Les says the whole of creation—flowers, birds, trees, the animal kingdom, even rocks—is under the bondage of corruption and will be delivered into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The Groaning Creation
Les describes the whole creation groaning and travailing in pain, with animals under constant duress to find food and avoid becoming food, which was not God's original design.
Creation Waiting for Christ's Reign
Les says all creation is waiting for Christ to rule as King of Kings, when believers will rule and reign with Him and have dominion over the new creation.
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.
God's promise of a Redeemer immediately after the curse, which gives creation its hope of deliverance.
Romans 8:19: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Explains why creation is waiting—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,
States that creation was subjected to vanity/futility in hope, not by its own will.
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.
Promises creation's deliverance from the curse into liberty.
Romans 8:22: For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Describes creation's present painful condition under the curse.
No. Romans 8:20 says creation was made subject to vanity 'not willingly.' Les stresses that creation had nothing to do with Adam's sin; the curse fell because of man's disobedience, but God subjected creation 'in hope.'
According to Les, it is what everything is living under today—sin and death rule supreme, and everything dies, whether in the animal kingdom or anywhere. Romans 8:21 promises creation will be delivered from this bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Manifestation means 'to be put under the spotlight.' Les says our day is coming when believers will be put in the spotlight, and all creation is waiting for that day of our coming into renown (Romans 8:19).
Scripture says creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into liberty. Les says the tribulation will pay off the curse and the world will be delivered; all nature is looking forward to when the curse is lifted.
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