What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' Understanding of "The Present Time" in Romans 8:18?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that the "present time" mentioned in Romans 8:18 refers to our entire current age, not just temporary circumstances.

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "the present time doesn't mean for the time being. You mustn't translate this verse like this... The present time doesn't end at death. The present time ends when the age to come comes in."

He emphasizes that this phrase refers to "this whole age in which we live, this present existence... this age in which we are now living between the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again."

This understanding provides Christians with a crucial perspective on suffering, showing that our current trials are finite compared to the eternal glory awaiting believers.

How Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Contrast the Christian and Non-Christian View of Time?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws a fundamental distinction between how Christians and non-Christians understand time:

"The whole trouble with a man who's not a Christian, with the worldly men, is that to him this life and this world are the only life and the only world. He knows nothing except what you can call, if you like, chronological time, time as measured by the clock or by the calendar."

In contrast, the Christian: - Recognizes this present age as temporary - Lives with an awareness of eternity - Has hope beyond this present life - Understands history has both a beginning and an end - Views current sufferings in light of coming glory

Lloyd-Jones states: "The world, of course, knows nothing about this at all. It doesn't believe it. It ridicules it... They know nothing at all about it."

What Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Mean by "The Glory Which Shall Be Revealed"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the "glory which shall be revealed" in Romans 8:18 refers to something already in existence that will be unveiled at Christ's return. He states:

"What he's saying, you see, is this, that the glory is already there. It isn't something that is to be made, it's already in existence. What he's saying is that when this great day comes, the glory that is already there will be revealed."

He uses the analogy of a theater curtain being drawn back to reveal what was already present but hidden from view. This glory will be:

1. Ushered in by Christ's second coming
2. Mark the end of time as we know it
3. Introduce eternity
4. Something Christians will participate in, not just observe

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes: "We mustn't think that we are merely going to be spectators of this glory... We are going to be partakers in it. We are going to be involved in it. It's going to happen to us."

How Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Describe the Biblical Evidence for Christ's Return?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates that Christ's return and the future glory is a central theme throughout Scripture by providing numerous biblical references:

"This is the teaching which is to be found everywhere in the scriptures," he states, citing passages from:

• Matthew 19:28, 24-25
• John 14
• Acts 1:11, 3:19-21
• 1 Corinthians 1:7, 15, 16:22
• 2 Corinthians 4-5
• Ephesians 1:10, 1:14
• Philippians 1:6, 3:20-21
• Colossians 1:22, 3:4
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4-5
• 2 Thessalonians 1-2
• 1 Timothy 6:14
• 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:1
• Titus 1:2, 2:11-13
• Hebrews 9:28
• James 1:12, 5:7-8
• 1 Peter 1:3-4, 4:7, 5:1
• 2 Peter (especially chapter 3)
• 1 John 2:28, 3:1-3
• Revelation

He concludes this survey by noting that "the cry at the end is this: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' They're crying out for it, they're looking forward, they're longing."

How Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones' Teaching on Future Glory Provide Comfort for Suffering?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that understanding future glory provides unique comfort for suffering Christians in several ways:

1. It puts present suffering in perspective: "Our light affliction, says the apostle, which is but for a moment. And this life is only a moment."

2. It provides hope the non-Christian lacks: "When things go wrong with the nonchristian, he's got nothing to fall back upon. He's got no comfort, he's got no consolation."

3. It helps us handle the problem of time: "The Christian has got a view which enables him to handle time as it ought to be handled."

4. It gives meaning to present trials: "Whatever the suffering, whatever the enduring... this life is only a moment. It's but a flash."

5. It reminds us of our true citizenship: "We don't really belong to this present age. Our citizenship is in heaven. This is passing, transient, temporary, that is the real, the permanent."

Lloyd-Jones concludes: "There is the first step, the beginning of the argument, which enables a Christian, whatever's happening to him, to say, I have reckoned that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."