"MADE Subject to Vanity"
There is a statement in the eighth chapter of Romans that is very hard for many, if not most people, to believe. At the same time, it is one of the most revealing statements in the entire Bible. In the KJV, Romans 8:20 states,
"Rom 8:20 For the creatureG2937 was made subjectG5293 to vanity,G3153 not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjectedG5293 the same in hope, ".
The principle wording of this verse was affirmed by every translation, fourteen of them, that I referred to. If this is speaking of mankind, many ask ; would God create mankind in such a way that it would be destined to follow after worthlessness? To get a better understanding of this verse and the verses that proceed and follow it I have used Thayer's Lexicon. Thayer's gives the following definitions for "creature, creation"G2937, "vanity"G3153 and "subject"G5293.
G2937
1) the act of founding, establishing, building etc
1a) the act of creating, creation
1b) creation, i.e. thing created
1b1) of individual things, beings, a creature, a creation
1b1a) anything created
1b1b) after a rabbinical usage (by which a man converted from idolatry to Judaism was called)
1b1c) the sum or aggregate of things created
1c) institution, ordinance
Total KJV occurrences: 17
G3153
1) what is devoid of truth and appropriateness
2) perverseness, depravity
3) frailty, want of vigour
Total KJV occurrences: 3
G5293
1) to arrange under, to subordinate
2) to subject, put in subjection
3) to subject one’s self, obey
4) to submit to one’s control
5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice
6) to obey, be subject
Total KJV occurrences: 40
It is the opinion of so many that the word "creature" in Rom 8:20 is not referencing mankind. They believe that the word has to be referring to the animate and or inanimate parts of God's creation. In fact, I have heard sermon after sermon that teaches that the word "creature" means something other than mankind. The words "creature" or "creation" with Strong's number of 2937 was used 15 times in the KJV. Eleven of the times this word is directly related to mankind. Two times it could be related. The following are two of the verses where the word is directly referring to people or human beings.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creatureG2937: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Mar 10:6 But from the beginning of the creationG2937 God made them male and female.
Mar 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
The context of verses in Rom 8:19-23 also makes it plain that the word creature is speaking about mankind.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creatureG2937 waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creatureG2937 was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creatureG2937 itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creationG2937 groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 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.
I'll refer to the verses in there order.
8:19 --- Those who are called to truth are expecting and waiting to become the actual "sons of God" born into the spiritual family of God.
8:20 --- One would have to possess a severe mental disorder to want to be subject to that which has no value or devoid of truth. The "hope" spoken of is defined in the next verse. The reason for God creating mankind as He has will be spoken of later.
8:21 --- Only through God's spirit dwelling in and guiding a person toward completeness can they be delivered from the "bondage of corruption" into a literal, spiritual, child of God.
8:22 --- All we have to do is look at the miserable conditions of past societies and our society which is going to become more and more distressed as it proceeds to the point of literal self destruction.
8:23 --- Every one that has the love of God dwelling in them, as a first fruit, hurts because of the pain that this world will have to endure and is now enduring. They are waiting for the establishment of the ruler-ship of Jesus on earth when they will have a part in bringing peace and security to this world as children of God.
What Romans 8:20 is telling us in the most direct terms is that the "free will" that humans think they possess simply doesn't exist. We can see that the "world" has never been able to figure out how to live in peace. We can see the misery that has befallen mankind through the ages. This is the result of humans being created in such a way that we are appointed or ordained to follow after the perverse influences of Satan. There are those that have been called out of our sinning ways and are growing in the way and the love of God. They have been given knowledge of "the way".
1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The way is graphically described in Galatians 5:22-23.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Understanding fundamental truth provides the foundation for all of the fruit of the spirit. It is interesting that "truth" is not included in verses 22 and 23. Yet, if a person is to have this fruit they will learn that possessing love, joy, peace, etc. is dependent on knowing the truth of who they were and the truth of how they can be changed.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he(it), the Spirit of truth, is come, he(it) will guide you into all truth: for he(it) shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he(it) shall hear, that shall he(it) speak: and he(it) will shew you things to come. [spoken after the Lord's supper]
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him(it) not, neither knoweth him(it): but ye know him(it) for he(it) dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [spoken just after the Lord's supper]
Luk 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Rom 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
It is only through the "power" of the Spirit of God the Father and his Son actually dwelling in a person can one know the life saving elements of truth. Then living in the revealed truth makes it possible to grow out of our natural carnal way, toward completeness.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
We are in complete need of the laws of God and all of the instruction given through the apostles of God to guide us from our inherited original created selves. When we understand that we can begin to truly love the awesome benevolence of all the direction that comes from God we will then be on the road to life eternal.
There will be a monumental event that occurs at the end of the millennial rule of Jesus. Is there any doubt that with "righteous ruler-ship" the 1,000 year period will be a time of peace and prosperity? The laws that complement the needs of mankind will be in place. Laws will not only be in place but dramatically enforced.
Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zec 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
Zec 14:18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zec 14:19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
How much more clear can it be that God is in total control of the period of time that follows the six thousand years when Satan's influence had control over the earth and its inhabitants. There will be a "rod of iron" type of ruler-ship that will be offensive to very many. Even though their absolute ruler is the one who created them and knows best what is good for them they rebel at the notion that they are forced to follow certain ways. As Zechariah 14:17-18 reveals; they will have to acquiesce to the "dictates" of the Lord or starve. There will have been no element of influence of Satan that has impacted their lives or thinking. Satan has been taken out of any possible influence that he may have had. Yet there are those that will rebel against God all mighty.
Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
There is information available to us that reveal the nature of some during the 1000 year period. Not everyone will be willing to be subject to the established order. When we carefully examine the following verses we see that they are speaking about those who resist, putting it mildly, with God's rule during the millennium. The bride being the "first-fruit" will begin to fulfill her responsibilities with the commencement of the millennium.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (see "The Bride of Christ" pages 10-11)
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
WHY this resistance???.
The only answer as to "why" is that they have been created so that they are not only subject to outside influence of worthless values but also to the innate urges of self wellbeing. Eye shielding from bright light by a child in the womb is a first sign of self fulfillment. Being forced to go in a certain way is unacceptable to our natural instincts. No matter how much the evidence shines a light on a way that produces peace and well being, those of Rev 20:8 are subject to their own vain dictates for their own well being. They are wholly dedicated to their own idea of how to gain their own welfare. They are ripe fruit for Satan to harvest. There are words of God that can explain this condition. The reason for the following words pretty much depends on one's personal evaluation.
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
I have come to the conclusion that the words mean what they say. There will be some who will not be able to conform to the "way" that would lead to life. They have been created "subject to vanity" and will not be able to escape from that condition. This does explain why there will be a "number of whom is as the sand of the sea" at the end of the millennial rule of Jesus that have rejected that rule of righteousness. If a person is not a vessel made "unto dishonor" they will be deemed a vessel of mercy.
Now there is one more very important picture of rejection in the word of God. It has to do with His people that live during the time prior to the resurrection of the saints. This is not a rejection that results in destruction but one concerning the fate of the "first-fruit". It is apparent, by what has been shown that one half of God's church, a people that have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, will not qualify to become Christ's bride. The term virgins does refer to the church of God.
Rev 14:4 these are they who with women were not defiled, for they are virgin; these are they who are following the Lamb whithersoever he may go; these were bought from among men--a first-fruit to God and to the Lamb--
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolishG3474 (heedless).
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I knowG1492 you not.
G1492 may more likely be "consider".
This is one of the parables told by Jesus. They were stories used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. There are many parables in the book of Matthew. They are prophetic in nature. Many of them deal with groups and the parable of the virgins is one of them. It is referring to the "kingdom of God" and the timing of this one is precisely given. This parable shows us the general condition of the church at his coming. It will occur just before and at the time of Jesus coming to gather the "first born" to Himself. The oil is representative of the Spirit of God. We have been shown that half of the church will not be complete enough in that Spirit to be part of the wife of Jesus. Therefore the question that would naturally be asked is; how could this be? It is appropriate that this parable is the next to last one in Matthew. It is the correct place for it to be included. The last parable is generally accepted to be about the different responsibilities that will be given to the wife of Jesus. The last thing spoken of in the chapter is the "final judgment". It is important to remember that there are many many instructions given that relate to becoming perfect which more accurately should be defined as "complete". Matthew 5:48 is one of them.
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfectG5046, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfectG5046.
G5046 From G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.
So again, how can a member of the church of God with God's Spirit abiding in them (virgins) be disqualified from being a firstborn? We have been shown that they didn't have enough of the Spirit to be included. God will judge the firstborn as to what degree they fulfill all the loving instruction that has been given them. Having love is the principle thing.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.
Love can be defined as: participating in the satisfaction of need (true need). So then, what would cause this spiritual deficiency? They would have a remnant of their natural nature which is keeping them from being complete enough to be included. It may be that they were not providing for the "satisfaction of need" that they could have or should have. It was this type of thing that God had reason to keep Moses from entering the promised-land. Moses had a problem with "righteous indignation" when he killed the Egyptian and, many years later, when he struck the rock. I have called our resistance to change "spiritual inertia".
It is true that all of us have been made subject to vanity. The following is taken from an "Evidence of Truth" paper called GOD'S WILL! MANS WILL???. This answers, to a degree, why God made us the way He did.
Why did God call everything that was made "very good" in Genesis 1:31 since Adam and Eve were so quick to disobey Him? --- The way to develop the spirit of righteousness in mankind was made possible by first making mankind subject to vanity. Otherwise, man could never really know of the fruit of the self serving ways of Satan. God needed mankind to experience that fruit and fully learn of its destructive nature.
It has been made possible to receive God's own Spirit of love. Through that spirit we are able to grow out of our abiding, self serving, ways; to the completeness of our salvation in the eyes of God.