Romans 8:18-19

Scripture Verse

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

The Weight of Glory: Paul’s Change of Perspective

Paul doesn’t share his opinion on suffering like an “armchair expert.” On the contrary, he has firsthand information. He was an ardent persecutor of Christians (Acts 9:1) before his impressive encounter with the living Jesus on the road to Damascus. After his conversion, his life changed radically from hunter to hunted. In 2 Corinthians 11:23–28, we learn about the immense sufferings he endured for Christ.

Comparing two points can help to illustrate something that is very difficult to describe. Paul does exactly this: he says all these sufferings are nothing compared to the glory waiting for him after this short life on earth. Paul weighs his present suffering against future glory. On a scale, one pan is filled with suffering, but it is so light that it soars up and “disappears in the clouds”, while the other pan is weighted heavily down by glory. (2 Corinthians 4.17)

How big must this glory be? According to Romans 8:18, there are no human words to describe it. It is impossible to describe paradise with human words (2 Corinthians 12:4). The promised glory must be limitless, as God Himself is the “fullness of all things” (Ephesians 1:18–19).

Paul reminds us that through God the Father’s abundant grace we are children of God and, as a result, heirs! (Ephesians 1:18). Consequently, we are also fellow heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17) WOW!

If we believe that a future of glory and endless joy next to our Father, the Lord Almighty, and His Son Jesus is waiting for us, why don’t we focus more on that eternal place? We love talking about our “bucket lists” of places we want to go and things we “have to” see. The Psalms are full of adoration for God’s wonderful creation. But compared to the eternal, heavenly places, this is like nothing; it will all perish one day (Hebrews 1:10–12). The whole creation is waiting with us—as paradise on earth hasn’t existed since Adam and Eve had to leave.

Fixing our eyes on our eternal aim doesn’t mean we shouldn’t enjoy our life and the creation. Instead, we should see everything as a tiny stop on our way to our eternal home. We are called to be in the world, but to be aware that we are not of the world (John 17:11, 14–16). We should be very present in our daily life, but without losing sight of our eternal goal. It is good to see everything on earth in relation to that glory.

We don’t know if we will face disadvantage, contempt or perhaps even persecution because of our faith in Jesus one day. Yet, it is not “the future holding things” that determines our fate, but our LORD, who holds our life in His almighty hands.

Questions to Think About:

• We are normally quite well-informed when it comes to traveling to a great place we have been dreaming of for a long time. Shouldn’t we try to get as much information as possible about our final and glorious destination—eternal glory with Jesus?
• Why am I often missing this immense joy? What hinders me?

Bible Verses for Our Encouragement

(Apostle Paul is the author of the verses marked with an asterisk)

Matthew 6:13 “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

1 Corinthians 2:9* “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not entered the human heart—all that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Philippians 1:21, 23* “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain… I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”

Philippians 3:8* “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”

2 Timothy 2:11–12* “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.”

Hebrews 11:25–26 “By faith Moses… choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”

Revelation 21:21 “Each of the twelve gates was a solid pearl. The streets of the city were made of pure gold, clear as crystal.”

Revelation 22:3–5 “There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever.”