The “Creature” Consciously Hoping?

From Sioux Center's Men's Society I received the following question: "In Romans 8:19-22 we read that the creature hopes for the coming glory of the sons of God. How does the creature know about this coming glory?" With thanks, H. Brands. Reply From the question I gather that the Men's Society of Sioux Center had no difficulty in determining what is meant by "the creature" in the passage referred to. They evidently came to the conclusion that by "the creature" is meant the whole creation...