The Good, The Groaning, and ‘The Glory’

Today, in view of the condition of the USA and this fallen world, with its corrupt human governments and the viral plague, and its obvious degradation as it careens deeper and deeper toward darkness, most people, including believers, are groaning’ within. Some are even clinically depressed because though saved as believers they are largely ignorant of the rich supply that we have by the indwelling Jesus Christ and that fact that many so-called believers still value this world over their eternal life. Jesus’ words tell us of the fact is that in this world [Gk. aion, age] we as believers, along with all people, will experience most of the same tribulations that exerts troubles and pressure upon our lives.

“These things I [Jesus] have spoken unto you [His disciples], that IN ME ye might have Peace. In the world [Gk. kosmos, the fallen arrangement of this age] ye shall have tribulation [Gk. thlipsis, pressure]: but be of good cheer; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD [Gk. kosmos, the fallen arrangement of this age].” John 16:33 (KJV)

But we as believers have hope and the rich supply of the resurrected “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” within us (Rom. 8:2a) as our innermost eternal life. He in us is our resource, spiritual sustenance, and assurance of eternal life. We cannot be killed because we have the eternal life of Christ’ life in us as our eternal life.

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (KJV)

Per our article’s title we begin with recognizing ‘The Good.’

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was VERY GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31 (KJV)

The verse above summarized the restored of the world after its first judgment noted in Genesis 1:2. Therefore the verse does not use the word “create” but rather the world “made.” This tells us God “made” something out of what He had originally created” and that became chaotic under His first judgment upon the earth. This occurred when Lucifer was cast from the Third Heaven, the throne room of God, to the lower heavens. Lucifer had corrupted the heavens (Job. 15:15) with his scheme to be as god (Isa. 14)

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was [Heb. haya, became] without form [chaotic], and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2 (KJV)

The restored earth with man on it was very good and suited for God’s eternal purpose. Adam, as part of God’s restoration of the earth, was created and called to “replenish” the earth (Gen. 1:28) and “have dominion” (Gen. 1:26) over the earth and its creatures.

It likely was within the first week after the restoration of the earth and creation of Adam that Lucifer in the form of the Serpent now corrupted the very man God had created and called to “have dominion.” With the fall of Adam, “the whole creation” entered a time of “groaning” that exists unto this day. This groaning is the fate of all humanity, even God’s people of faith who would believe.

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation GROANETH and travaileth in pain together until now. 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.” Romans 8:18-23 (KJV)

This was the condition of the earth and humanity when Jesus came on the scene two thousand years ago. He made this statement instruction all who would believe in Him, trusting in Him for their daily living, applying to Jew or Gentile.

“These things I [Jesus] have spoken unto you [His disciples], that IN ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation {Gk. thlipsis, pressure]: but be of good cheer; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD [Gk. kosmos, the fallen arrangement of this age].” John 16:33 (KJV)

The fact is that God our Father uses “all things for the good” (Rom. 8:28-30) so that we might “be conformed to the image of His Son” who dwells within our spirit as the core of our life.

15For all things [including our sufferings] are for your sakes, [so] that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving [Gk. eucharistia, GRATITUDE] of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 (KJV)

The gratitude of v15 above is only expressed in the face of all things by intelligized believers who KNOW what is befalling us and know also how it is “working for the [eternal] good.” We agree with the words of Paul seen here;

“For I reckon [count and consider] that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Thus, we as genuine faithful believers live in union with Christ who indwells us and have “the hope (the confident expectation) of eternal Glory when we shall be revealed in and with Him in the resurrection.

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2 (KJV)
“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.” Romans 8:18 (KJV)

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance [already] IN the saints,” Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF [eternal] GLORY:” Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

Arthur J Licursi