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. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21

Another one of the great lies today in Christianity, is the prosperity gospel. This idea that if you give your life to Christ, you will be physically blessed with wealth, health, and happiness. This false teaching has blinded millions of people and has created millions of false converts, that have never truly repented or became Born Again. The reality is when you become a Christian, your life is going to get harder. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and become a target for the demons in this spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) If you don’t believe me, you haven’t been a Christian long enough

Jesus said “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. “ (Matthew 16:24) Did you get that? If you want to be a disciple of Christ, you must carry your cross! This is why “Friends with the world are enemies of God” (James 4:4) If you think becoming a Christian will make you greater in this world, you have no understanding of the world or Christ, this same world killed the Son of God because Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

The Apostle Paul teaches us “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed” Paul is warning us we will suffer in this present world, not be prosperous. Think about the life of the Apostle Paul, he was repeatedly beaten, imprisoned, impoverished, and eventually was beheaded for His faith in Christ. Does that sound like the prosperity gospel of today? Don’t be deceived brothers and sisters, as our Lord said “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) We look forward to Gods Kingdom to come, right now the world is ruled by the evil one (1 John 5:19)

“For creation waits in eager expectation” (v19) What are we waiting for? The Return of our Lord (Matthew 24:36-44), the establishment of Gods Kingdom (Daniel 2:44), the resurrection of our glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) for Satan to be cast in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10), we wait upon The Lord! (Isaiah 40:31) You might ask why? The next verse answers “For creation was subjected to futility or depravity” (v20) The whole world is under the curse of death because of our sin (Galatians 3:10) 

So where is the good news? There is hope in Christ because The Lord defeated sin and death on the cross! Next verse “Creation itself will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption/decay (death) into the glorious liberty of the children of God (v21) This is the New Exodus, we are delivered from the slavery of sin and death by our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!