Tag Archives: Romans

Romans 9- God Is Sovereign

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What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Romans 9:14-18

Now as we continue to talk about election and salvation, many of us define our preconceived ideas of who should be saved and who should not be saved. The problem is we are not God, when you start going down this trail, you are going way above your pay grade. As the Apostle Paul quotes Exodus when God told Moses “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy” God is going to save whoever he wants, this again is above our pay grade

This reminds me of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) While he was condemned to die on the cross, Jesus told him “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43) While he was condemned to die, God chose to save him. The thief on the cross will probably be one of the most controversial people in Heaven. Even today, many legalists argue you must do this and that to be saved, but the thief on the cross did none of these things, it was Christ alone that saved him. This is a great example of Gods sovereignty, going against our man-made religious formulas for salvation.

Pharaoh is another great example, that the Apostle Paul brings up, “For this very purpose, I raised you up that I may show my power in you” (Romans 9:17) The evil Pharaoh actually fulfilled Gods will and purpose, by God demonstrating His power and sovereignty with the plagues and exodus of Egypt. (Exodus 9:16) As scripture says “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 7:3) Again the critics will say “This is not fair”, “why would God harden Pharaoh’s heart?” Because God is sovereign and we are not, going back to what He told Moses, God will have mercy on whomever he desires, and hardens whomever he wants to harden” (Romans 9:18)

Now on the flipside, did Pharoah have any opportunity to repent? Of course He did,  Moses went to Pharaoh ten times, and asked to “Let my people God” (Exodus 5:1, Exodus 8:1) Why would God grant him these opportunities if he couldn’t respond? But didn’t God already know how this was going to go? Of course because God is sovereign and Reigns over all the Heavens and The Earth!  (Psalm 113:4-6)

The problem is when we try to inject our will or ideas into Gods soverignty, you might say “I don’t understand how God has mercy on whomever he wants to have mercy, and Gods hardens whomever he wants to harden”  Yes because your a finite creature of the Creator, to think you can comprehend the mind of God is sure blasphemy in itself. God rules and reigns, submit to The Lord Jesus Christ today! Amen!

Romans 9- Election

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Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:6-13

One of the great questions or mysteries about Israel, is how can they be Gods people when the majority of them reject Christ? The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit addresses this topic right here. Paul brings up the topic of election, which is a concept throughout the Bible, however I think most Christians don’t understand the concept of election. The late Dr. Michael Heiser I think did a great job explaining election, I would highly recommend you check out his work. The summary is, just because you are elect doesn’t mean your automatically saved!

There are many examples, but lets look at the example of the “Rebellion of Korah” (Numbers 16, a priest named Korah lead a rebellion against Moses and challenged his spiritual authority. The punishment was severe, as God opened up the ground and swallowed all 250 men destroying them. These rebellions of Korah were Israelites, they were part of the Exodus, they were elect, yet they all lost their salvation because of their disobedience to God. We can look at Angels, another elect group, where many lost their salvation due to disobedience to God (Jude 1:6)

So its important to understand election doesn’t automatically equal salvation. You can be elected and still lose your soul. You need to be Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) So when were talking about Israel is elect, they are the chosen people of God, we are not saying they are all going to be saved. Obviously there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ, however they have been elected to fulfill a purpose! Election caused many to great jealousy, as the Jews are jealous of the Church and the Church is jealous of Israel (Romans 11:11) You can’t allow that jealousy to reject the Word of God!

The Apostle Paul gives another great example of election, Jacob and Esau, God hated Esau, why? Well Esau sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) Esau despised his birthright, it was a heart issue, Esau hated God, he was disobedient and lost his salvation. Esau was the firstborn, He should have inherited everything, He should have been a patriarch of Israel, however his disobedience to God lost his salvation! Amen!

Romans 9- Anti-Semitism

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I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 9:1-5

Anti-semitism, which is the hatred of Jewish people, has been a problem since the beginning of the world. Once God anointed a chosen race of people (Deuteronomy 7:6) Satan and his demons have been trying to annihilate his people since the beginning. Think about even in the history of the Bible, Pharaoh tried to wipe out the Hebrews boys including Moses (Exodus 1:22), Haman tried to wipe out all the Jewish people (Esther 3:5-15), even when Jesus was born, King Herod tried to wipe out all the Jewish boys (Matthew 2:16-18)

Look at our more modern history, of course the Holocaust , where Hitler killed over 6 million Jews, trying to exterminate the race. Even today, the Jewish people are continually under attack by Hamas and other Islamic Terrorist groups, murdering and raping innocents Jewish people. Most recently our state governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiros, home was bombed  by a man on Passover, trying to kill his entire family, why? Simply because he was Jewish. Anti-Semitism is a demonic force that has been in the world since the beginning, most people don’t even know why they hate the Jewish people, because its demonic influence.

Sadly, even in the Christian Church, Anti-Semitism is at an all time high. As I write this article, many professed “Christians” will write me off as a “Zionist” or deceived because I believe what scripture says that the Jews are Gods chosen people. The Apostle Paul here in our text this morning, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states the Jews are Gods Chosen people. In fact, in the next 3 chapters, Paul make a strong case that Israel and the Church are not the same group, and one day Christ will come back to save his remnant (Romans 11)

The Apostle Paul shows his humility and love for the Jewish people by stating “for I wish myself accursed from Christ for my brethren” If Paul could give up his salvation for the sake of the Jewish people , he would, but obviously we are not God. But the love for the Jewish people is very prominent in Pauls writings, who is a Jew himself. If there is any question who Paul is talking about , he makes it clear “my kinsmen according to my flesh, who are the Israelites” Paul is addressing the issue of the Jewish people need for Christ!

The Apostle Paul makes a very strong point “of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all” Our Lord Jesus Christ became flesh through Israel, through the Jewish people. To hate the Jewish people is to hate Christ himself. This text sets the tone for the next 3 chapters in which the Apostle Paul will explain Gods future plan for the Jewish people, Amen!

Romans 8- Conquerors in Christ

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Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

When you become a Christian, a servant of Jesus Christ, your life is going to get harder not easier. This is why the false prosperity gospel makes many false converts, consider what The Lord said himself “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Jesus said you must deny yourself and carry your cross, this is not the carnal gospel being preached today. You must understand this when giving your life to Christ, it will cost you everything!

Now with all that said, as the Apostle Paul reveals to us , “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (v37) So how can we be victorious when we must die to ourselves? Because its a spiritual battle we are in for your soul (Ephesians 6) Those who don’t understand this pursue the flesh, which actually leads to death. We are conquerors in Christ because at the cross, Jesus defeated sin, death, Satan, and Hell forever! We are conquerors because Christ Is Risen! This is a victory the world can’t understand, because they need to be Born Again (John 3:3)

The next verse reminds me of the old hymn “Abide in Me”, it goes “in life and death, O Lord Abide in Me” Jesus warned you might lose your life for Him (Matthew 16:25) And you might ask, where is the victory? The Victory is nothing can separate you from our Lord Jesus Christ, life , death, persecution, angels, demons, ect. There is nothing that can take your soul, because your soul belongs to the author of life, Jesus Christ

Jesus said this “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) You don’t have to fear man or demon, because they can’t destroy your soul. They can destroy your body, they can destroy everything you have, but they can’t separate your from Jesus Christ. They can’t take away your salvation, and this is what Satan wantsQ

So knowing this, you are a conqueror in Jesus Christ , because Christ has overcome the grave, because Christ Is Risen, nothing can separate us from our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 8- Are You Condemned?

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Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Romans 8:34-36

Our scriptures for this morning ask us a few questions, let’s address the first question, are you condemned? Many people are living their lives right now, not understanding that they are already condemned to eternal Hell. You might say but I’m a “good” person, and I’m living my best life, I don’t believe your Bible. None of this matters, the reality is we are all sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23) You have condemned yourself already before God because of your sin, as scripture says “He who does not believe is condemned already” (John 3:18)

So let me ask you the question again, are you condemned? Or have your been Born Again in Jesus Christ? (John 3:3) The bad news is we are all condemned because of our sin, the good news is Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin, so we can be justified before God. As the Apostle Paul says here “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (v34) Christ make intercession for us so we are not only saved, but we are now Children of God (1 John 3:1)

The next question I’ll ask you, is who can separate you from the love of Christ? If you are a Christian long enough, I have seen many people come to The Lord and fall away. Or I have seen many people hear the good news of Christ, yet harden their hearts and reject His salvation. Why? People will make excuses that Christ couldn’t save them because of x, y, and z. The reality is nothing can separate you from the love of Christ, Jesus has overcome the world, sin, death, Hell, and Satan. There is nothing separating you from Christ except your hard heart. 

As scripture says ““Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15) Many people have hardened their hearts against Christ, and have condemned themselves to eternal Hell. (Matthew 10:28) Understand this God doesn’t send anyone to Hell, you have chosen to go to Hell by rejecting our Lord Jesus Christ. So I’ll ask you again, are you condemned or are you Born Again? Do you believe something has separated you from Christ or are you In Christ? 

You can ignore these questions for as long as you have breathe, but one day you will stand before The Lord , bow a knee and give an account of your life (Philippians 2) There will be no excuses on judgement day (Romans 1:20) Repent and submit to The Lord Jesus Christ today and Be Set Free (John 8) Amen!

Romans 8- God Be For Us!

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What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Romans 8:31-33

As a Christian, you are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) There is an ongoing battle for your soul, Satan wants to destroy you (1 Peter 5:8) while Jesus Christ wants to save you (1 Timothy 1:15) The question is what side of the battle are you on? Are you in The Lord’s army? (Joshua 5:13-15) Or are you another casualty of Satan and his dark Kingdom? Make no mistake, you are in the battle whether you realize it or not, there is only One who can save your soul, thats Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:28)

There is good news, this is what the word gospel means, Christ has already defeated Satan, sin, death, and Hell, we have victory in Jesus! (1 Corinthians 15) As the Apostle Paul states to us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (v31) All the demonic forces in the world can’t touch your soul, because you have the Spirit of the Living God inside of You, you are washed and protected by the blood of Christ, you are sanctified by the Holy Spirit , there is no demon that can stand against you! We have Victory in Christ!

That’s what really happened at the cross, while Satan thought he killed the Son of God, the Son of God actually crushed the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15) Satan was defeated at the cross, death was defeated at the cross, sin was paid for at the cross , if God is for us, there is nobody who can stand against us in Jesus name! That is the power of the cross, that is what Jesus accomplished when He said “It Is Finished” (John 19:30)

Then of course on the 3rd day, Sunday morning Christ rose from the dead, this is why the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith! Because Christ Is Risen, we can rise again with him! If you want a sign that death is defeated, Christ Is Risen! If you want assurance of Gods promises, Christ Is Risen! If you want to know why nobody can stand against you, its because Christ Is Risen!

God did not spare His own son, Jesus Christ, God so loved the world, God so loved you, He gave His Only Begotton Son, to die for our sins, to defeat sin, death, and Hell, repent and believe the gospel, repent and give your life to Jesus Christ, because Christ has already given his life for you! 

We are justified by the Father, we are atoned for by the Son, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, All glory to God, Holy, Holy, Holy , Amen!

Romans 8- Will of God

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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

One thing we have to remember is “God is in complete control” Many people will argue against the existence of God because of the evil in this world, but understand this world is under the curse because of sin (Genesis 3:17) However even though this world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19) God is in control, and “God will work all things for our good” (v28) This is a difficult concept for our minds to comprehend, how can anything good come from this fallen world, but in Christ we have the final victory as Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33)

Let me ask you, are you fulfilling your calling in Christ? As the Apostle Paul reveals here “to them who are called according to His purpose” You might say I don’t see God working in my life or I don’t see spiritual fruit being produced, the question you should be asking yourself are you following Gods will for your life? Or are you trying to enforce your own will on God? As the Apostle James says “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) You are enforcing your own will instead Gods will for your life, therefor you never grow in The Lord

So what is Gods will for our life? Here is good insight by the Apostle Paul “to be conformed to the image of his Son” The goal in our life should be to be like our Lord Jesus. This is a process call sanctification of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5) you should be growing in The Lord, The Holy Spirit is working on you every day, to be more like Jesus. The carnally minded person says “I don’t want that”, well then your not Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) 

Then the Apostle Paul gives us some great theology here , first God calls, then justifies, then glorifies. You are first called by Christ to be saved (1 Corinthians 1:9) Yes we need to respond to this calling, but God has called you to come home! But of course we are separated from God because of our sin (Isaiah 59:2) This is what Jesus did for us on the cross, he died for our sins and made us justified before our Father (2 Corinthians 5:21) You might say, but I’m still stuck in this sinful body, one day you will be resurrected into a glorified perfect body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) During this process our souls are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and we are sealed for the day of our redemption (Ephesians 1:13)

This is the will for your life, be more like Jesus, how to be more like Christ? Repent and turn to Jesus , Christ will save and transform your life, Amen!

Romans 8- Pray for Us, Holy Spirit!

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Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God Romans 8:26-27

Jesus said “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7) The Holy Spirit was sent to us for our advantage, for many reasons, the Holy Spirit is our Counselor, our Teacher, our Comforter, our Advocate, (John 14:26) But also as we learn from the scriptures today, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray

We have all been there , when our life was in desperation, maybe we were going through a trial or tribulation, and we wanted to cry out to our Heavenly Father, however the pain we were dealing with is so great, we don’t know where to even begin or what to say. As the Apostle Paul teaches us “The Spirit helps us in our weakness/infirminities” This might be why the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, (John 14:26) You are not alone, you are never alone, because the Spirit of the Living God lives inside of You as a Born Again Believer in Christ

“For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (v26) When we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will pray for us, the Holy Spirit will intercede to the Father and Son for You. This is how connected you are with God in Christ. So even if you don’t know what to say, get on your knees and allow the Holy Spirit to pray for you. 

As the Apostle Paul also reveals “ He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is” God searches your heart and mind, God already knows what your going to say before you even say it, God knows whats on your heart and mind even if you don’t say it, this is the relationship we have with our Father through Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, the Holy Spirit knows your life, there is nothing that can be hidden from God. If you are suffering, the Holy Spirit knows your suffering, if your rejoicing, the Holy Spirit knows your rejoicing. This is why the Holy Spirit can intercede for you to God.

If you want to connect with God and don’t know what to say, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to intercede for you , as the Apostle Paul says here “because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” The Holy Spirit makes intercession for you according to the will of God. If you reject the Holy Spirit, you are rejecting the will of God. It is to your advantage that Christ has sent you the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 8- What Is Your Hope?

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For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance Romans 8:22-25

Many non-believers will ask the question “How can there be a God, when there is so much evil in the world”? What most of them don’t understand, by them acknowledging evil exists, they are acknowledging God exists. If God didn’t exist, then there would be no standard of good and evil, how do we define evil without God? If we are just random molecules that have evolved into humans with no purpose or future, what does it matter if there is evil in the world? But as the Apostle Paul reveals under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20)

So the whole creation groans and labors until the return of Christ! You hear it everyday, people complaining about the status of the world, the difference is us Christians have hope because of Christ, while the rest of the world has no hope, just misery in the suffering of the fallen world. The Apostle Paul describes our current state like a woman in labor pains, Jesus actually described it this way also “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” (John 16:21)

The Apostle Paul goes on to describe it “we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” What is the Apostle Paul referring to here? Paul is referencing the final resurrection, when we are raised and given our glorified bodies (2 Corinthians 5:2) There will be no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:4) For death has been defeated at the cross by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33) So I will ask you, what gives you hope in this fallen world? 

“For we were saved in this hope” (v24) We have hope and victory in Jesus Christ, again I ask what is your hope? Without Christ there is no hope for you in this world, the world will continue to groan in its pain and suffering because of its sin, but Christ has given us victory. As the author of Hebrews states “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

And this should be the motto of the Church “we eagerly await for it with perseverance” (v25) I have good news for you brothers and sisters, Jesus is coming back! Wait for it with perseverance and patience, don’t fall away to the miseries of this world, stay on the narrow path of life! Amen!

Romans 8- The New Exodus

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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!