God, Man, Creation, and The Second Coming

A Christian Worldview of the Environment

I took this photograph on Friday morning at Jeter Mountain, North Carolina. The Cosmos flower takes its name from the Greek κόσμος (cosmos). According to one history of the flower, the name refers to the orderly, well-proportioned petals, and arrangement of the flower. See Harvesting History.

Paul explains how creation has been affected by Adam's fall and subjected to the curse that came as a result. Yet, creation is not without hope—it eagerly awaits the second coming of Christ, when a new heaven and new earth will be revealed. This passage offers a fascinating study on its own, but Paul’s intent goes beyond mere intellectual engagement. He writes for the glory of God and the benefit of believers.

As we embark on this journey through The Mighty Eighth, focusing on creation and Christ's return, you may find yourself seeing the world differently. You won’t need to embrace any tree-hugging ideologies—quite the opposite. Creation calls us not to worship it but the One who made it. So let your admiration for the beauty, intricate design, and breathtaking complexity of creation lead you to the Creator Himself. Yet, remember that Creation is waiting. Can creation wait? Or “groan?” Well, I welcome you to Romans chapter 8 and the message that follows. From the archives of Faith for Living, we present a sermon on God, Man, and the Second Coming entitled “Caring for Creation” from Romans 8:18.

Creation calls us not to worship it but the One who made it. So let your admiration for the beauty, intricate design, and breathtaking complexity of creation lead you to the Creator Himself. — Michael A. Milton

^{Romans 8:18-25}

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time ⁿare not worthcomparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waitswith eager longing for ^othe revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation ^pwassubjected to futility, not willingly, but ^qbecause of him who subjected it, in hope²¹ that ^rthe creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption andobtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² For we know that ^sthewhole creation ^thas been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have ^uthe firstfruits of theSpirit, ^vgroan inwardly as ^wwe wait eagerly for adoption as sons, ^xtheredemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For ^yin this hope we were saved. Now ^zhope that isseen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what wedo not see, we ^await for it with patience.

For a deeper devotional study this Lord’s Day—complete with Scripture readings and prayers for individuals, families, or group gatherings—read The Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost: Today's Lectionary Readings.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Several of our books are being republished by Wipf and Stock Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. These second-edition books will be out within 30-45 days. The titles include:

These titles continue to gain traction but are now only available on the second-hand market. Our transition to a new publisher, with a new contract in place, enables us to offer these books in hardcover, softcover, and ebook formats and, for at least two titles, as audiobooks through Audible. Our mission is to create works that “shepherd the shepherds who shepherd the flock” and provide reading that heals the wounded soul.

Stay tuned for more as new titles become available.