What is the “manifestation of the sons of God” that is mentioned in Romans 8:19?
Let’s read Romans 8:19: “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (NKJV). Before we answer the inquirer’s question, we need to see why all of creation is eagerly waiting for “the revealing of the sons of God.” Verses 20-22 give us the answer: “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” This passage takes us back to the fall of man, for when Adam sinned it affected all creation. In Genesis 3:17-18 God told Adam, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth.” As we read through our Bibles we see that the animal kingdom suffered the same fate; the curse was stamped on the whole creation, bringing with it disease and death. Because of this “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” But praise God He also offered a cursed creation HOPE, for we read that “the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption!” This brings us to the verse in question, for creation’s deliverance will occur at “the revealing of the sons of God.”
There is no doubt that this refers to that glorious event described in Scripture as the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:7 declares, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen” (NKJV). Matthew 24:30 echoes the same truth, “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY.” What a blessed day that will be when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth as “King of kings, and Lord of lords,” to set up His kingdom and to bring peace and prosperity to a groaning creation.
Now you may very well be thinking, “But Romans 8:19 speaks of ‘the revealing of the sons of God,’ NOT the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Ah, that is true, but it is a joy to tell you that “the revealing of the sons of God” AND “the revealing of Jesus Christ” HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME! Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” What a marvelous truth Paul is teaching in this precious verse! He is showing us that when Christ is revealed in power and glory (as we’ve already seen in Revelation 1:9 and Matthew 24:30), believers in Jesus Christ will be REVEALED WITH HIM. Those who have trusted Christ as their Savior ARE the “sons of God” spoken of in Romans 8:19!
It should be noted that believers are already “the sons of God,” but when the world sees us in that day we will be manifested in glorified bodies and they will know we truly are the SONS OF GOD. 1st John 3:2 brings out both of these truths, “Beloved, NOW are we the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that WHEN He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (NKJV). Think of it, dear fellow-believer, when we see our Savior (at the Rapture) “we shall be like Him.” Philippians 3:21 teaches us that the Lord Jesus “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (NKJV). And then when He appears to the world, we will be right alongside of Him in our new, glorified bodies!
Is it any wonder that all creation is waiting “for the revealing of the sons of God?” Creation is clinging, in hope, to the promise of Romans 8:21, “the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Our deliverance will bring their deliverance! (195.9) (DO)