For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

(Romans 8:19-21, emphasis added)

Creation waits. The earth and all that God created on it waits. The universe and the angels wait. Their expectation is to see “…the sons of God.” Mankind waits “with eager longing” for the plan of God to manifest itself. God’s creation is “…subjected to futility.” In their own counsel and under their own power the “…sons of God…” are unable to comprehend the unveiling. God purposely made mankind unable to comprehend the “…revealing the sons of God.”

Who are the sons of God whom He subjected to futility? What is the revealing of the sons of God? The Anglican Pulpit commentary suggests those waiting in expectation for the revealing includes “all mankind. These are men who have professed faith in Christ Jesus and it includes all other men who have not. Believers are not set apart.” ¹ The sons of God are men. They are mankind! They are a part of the whole of creation. When the sons of God reject vain glory and quit kicking against the goads, God will remove futility from their hearts. All creation waits with hope for the revealing of the sons of God! “…in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God ”

We are “the creation.” Each and every person ever created or to ever be created will be placed into lives of futility. No person ever wanted to be put in such a state of hopelessness. Creation does not choose to be placed in life to be hopeless. God’s love for His creation is never ending and all-consuming. Mankind is held in a state of futility until God reveals His purpose to them.

God consigned all to sin. He placed in all of His creation a desire to find its way to Him. In creation’s efforts to control their existence they experience futility. In their desire to create for themselves a humanly sovereign way they experience greater futility. Why? So that all the earth, all creation, will see, recognize and realize His infinite mercy. He subjected all to sin so He could bless all with salvation. God places us in this position of futility. He allows us to flail in stormy waters and to swim against the currents. He lets us make choices that are contrary to Him. He lets us live lives of futility. God wants us to see Him as our Lord, Savior, King. He wants us to see the key to living that sets “creation free.” A time will come when every element of creation would “free itself from its bondage to corruption….” God’s creation is subjected to futility and God’s desire that creation frees itself in Him.

1 “The Pulpit Commentaries: Romans 8.” The Anglican Church. Publication date unknown. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tpc/romans-8.html. Date accessed: 06/05/2018.