redemption of God’s children should have arrived. And the whole of creation, receiving this hope, and looking for the fulfilment of this promise now, in the meantime, as having an affection for those whom it serves, groans along with them, and patiently suffers with them, hoping for the fulfilment of the promises. See also whether the following words of Paul can apply to those who, although not willingly, yet in accordance with the will of Him who subjected them, and in hope of the promises, were made subject to vanity, when he says, “For I could wish to be dissolved,” or “to return and be with Christ, which is far better.”[142] For I think that the sun might say in like manner, “I would desire to be dissolved,” or “to return and be with Christ, which is far better.” Paul indeed adds, “Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you;” while the sun may say, “To abide in this bright and heavenly body is more necessary, on account of the manifestation of the sons of God.” The same views are to be believed and expressed regarding the moon and stars. Let us see now what is the freedom of the creature, or the termination of its bondage. When Christ shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father, then also those living things, when they shall have first been made the kingdom of Christ, shall be delivered, along with the whole of that kingdom, to the rule of the Father, that when God shall be all in all, they also, since they are a part of all things, may have God in themselves, as He is in all things. Footnote 130: John i. 1-3. Footnote 131: Col. i. 16-18. Footnote 132: Job xxv. 5. Footnote 133: Isa. xlv. 12. Footnote 134: Jer. vii. 18. Footnote 135: Gen. i. 16. Footnote 136: Rom. ix. 14. Footnote 137: Rom. ii. 11. Footnote 138: Cf. Rom. viii. 20, 21. Footnote 139: Rom. viii. 19. Footnote 140: Rom. viii. 22, cf. 23. Footnote 141: Eccles. i. 1, 14. Footnote 142: Phil. i. 23. CHAPTER VIII. ON THE ANGELS.