I believe

[Saint Steven]

Bingo, Paul reveals the reasons for the fall and the plan of redemption. Not out of perversity or caprice, but God's heart of hope of freedom from corruption. So the Kingdom will be greater than the Garden.

This has got to be the classic Biblical expression of 'the larger hope' imho.

Yes. And the previous verse is like the cherry atop the sundae.
(which means, the children of God have yet to be revealed)

Romans 8:19
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

 

[Shrewd Manager]

Yes. And the previous verse is like the cherry atop the sundae.
(which means, the children of God have yet to be revealed)

Romans 8:19
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

And don't forget Romans 8:18, the assurance of that greater glory:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

So we have, in this passage in Romans 8:
(a) subjection of creation to futility and hope of redemption
(b) assurance of a greater glory,
(c) all creation awaits revelation of firstfruits of the children of God,
(d) we are firstfruits
(e) liberation of creation from bondage to decay is coming!

 

[Saint Steven]

And don't forget Romans 8:18, the assurance of that greater glory:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

So we have, in this passage in Romans 8:
(a) subjection of creation to futility and hope of redemption
(b) assurance of a greater glory,
(c) all creation awaits revelation of firstfruits of the children of God,
(d) we are firstfruits
(e) liberation of creation from bondage to decay is coming!

Right. And the bit about the firstfruits reminds me of this scripture below.
Beyond the firstfruits, there will be all who belong to Christ.
Another reference to the children of God as yet to be revealed. (Romans 8:19)

1 Corinthians 15:22-24
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

 

[Jord Simcha]

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29

This verse is often interpreted as those He did foreknow to choose Him, to believe.

But doesn't it just mean everybody?

Doesn't God have foreknowledge of everybody?

I'm beginning to see support for universal predestination to be conformed to His image in this verse myself.

 

[Saint Steven]

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29

This verse is often interpreted as those He did foreknow to choose Him, to believe.

But doesn't it just mean everybody?

Doesn't God have foreknowledge of everybody?

I'm beginning to see support for universal predestination to be conformed to His image in this verse myself.

Yes. All part of the plan from the beginning.
The offspring of the woman would crush the serpent's head. And through the seed of Abraham all peoples would be blest.