Romans 8:21, …that the creation itself will be set free from it is bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
There is much fascination with “climate change.” Many think the world is dying. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrogantly prophesied that the world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t begin to take serious measures in preventing “climate change.” I assure you, however, that the earth is not dying. Consider Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.” The earth is in the hands of her Creator. So long as God is caring for her, she will not die.
The earth is not dying, but she is groaning in pain. What we are witnessing is not the death of earth, but her groaning in sin’s corruption. Yet, as Paul assures us here, God will free all creation from its bondage and corruption in sin and will receive the same glory we have received in Christ. This is nothing new. God has promised this since antiquity, which we saw yesterday in Hosea 2:18-20.
We receive another reminder from John’s Apocalypse (Revelation):
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:1-5
As we can see, earth does not die, but she is made new. Her corruption and bondage passes, and she is totally restored to her Creator. At the end of time, God comes down from heaven and dwells among us on the earth! God could not do this if the earth died; instead, He renews it, just as He renews His children who are baptised into Christ.
Please enjoy the following poem I wrote based on Hosea 2:18-20 for Earth Day:
No. 1733, Renewal of Creation Since childhood I have been drawn to the love and care of animals, as well as to the rising dawn of all creation most admirable. It is no secret of Earth's pain, yet I guarantee, she is not dying; she is merely groaning in her strain, for sin's corruption causes her crying. Yet to God creation is betrothed, — promised to Christ's restoration; once all sin is finally disposed, Christ shall renew all creation.
The Lutheran Column 