They're ready, We are not

This morning my Bible study focused on the end of days (e.g., the second coming of Christ, the Millennium, etc.). Part of what was covered were the descriptions in Isaiah about what the rule of Christ will be like. Specifically, there are several passages in Isaiah discussing radically different relationships between God, Earth, Animals and Humans. The fact that all the Earth will know the Lord, that all animals will live harmoniously (lions and lambs raising their young together), that humans will live harmoniously with one another and with animals. It is described as this wonderful and glorious time established because we will all know God.

During part of the study, the author made an exclamation, referring to Roman's where it is written that the very Earth aches for the return of Christ. And this got me thinking, the Earth (mountains, rivers, trees), animals (dogs, lions, eagles) - according to this scripture are presently aching for the return of Christ. They can't wait because they are ready live in harmony with God.

Yet they ache, long for, exist in this separated state... why? For us.

That's right, from a Christian perspective, God is holding off the second coming of Christ, the heavenly kingdom on Earth, because He patiently waits for more of us to get it together. To wake up to our selfishness, betrayals and greed and return to Him.

This provides a radically different perspective on Christians relationship with animals and the earth. Specifically, we should understand that the earth and all it's non-human inhabitants are doing us a HUGE favor. They exist in a broken world because of us and they await reunification with God to provide time for us.

This speaks to me about the way I should look at and treat the inhabitants of this planet and the planet itself. I am not suggesting no longer cutting down trees to make homes or giving up meat, but I am suggesting that we be good stewards of their lives. That we are not flip or superior about their existence. It seems clear to me that we aught to experience a sense of gratitude for our planet and to the non-humans with whom we share it.