”The Whole Creation has been Groaning as in the Pains of Childbirth”

The destruction caused by the tsunami that followed the recent earthquake in Japan. Image courtesy of US Navy.




Joel Kontinen

The biggest tragedy of mankind was the Fall, which brought death, sickness and suffering to the world. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:19-22:

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

Almost all theologians agree that Paul was referring to the Fall.

The world is in turmoil since compared to the very good world of Genesis it is abnormal.

Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, it has become a valley of the shadow of death.

The recent earthquake in Japan and the tsunami that followed in its wake add to the catastrophes and turmoil of the past few months – the quake in New Zealand, the flooding in Australia, the uprisings in North Africa and the killings in Israel and Pakistan, where the country’s only Christian minister Shahbaz Bhattin was assassinated.

And it’s not so long ago that we heard of the Haitian earthquake and the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

It is good to remember that Jesus promised that turmoil, bloodshed and earthquakes would be signs of His approaching return.

In spite of all the turmoil, He has promised to be with those who love and serve Him.

He has not left us alone.