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. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:19-23
At present, we have only the earnest, the guarantee of salvation.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
- Earnest: Something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
When you offer a bid on a house, it is often required that you provide earnest money, guaranteeing that you will not back out. If you do, you lose the earnest money. We are given the Holy Spirit as earnest that our salvation is sure: Once Saved, Always Saved.
As such, we are waiting for the fulfillment of the contract or covenant God has made with us, the day we receive our full salvation.
“waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Full salvation is when we receive our new bodies, putting on incorruption and immortality. we
1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
This day is the day the Lord returns to catch out His bride, the Chruch. It is the Rapture or Translation of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.