Hebrews 9:26-28. 26But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Every single word of these three verses is meant to bring you the greatest of encouragements. Each phrase is meant to quicken your spirit and bolster your soul. If you are in Christ, these three verses serve to fill you with so much relief, excitement, and joy that nothing in this world can steal away from you.
How does the author of Hebrews accomplish this heart healing work? By reminding us of the great promise of Christ – he will appear a second time.
Do you desperately desire the appearance of Christ? What keeps you from praying for Jesus’ return? What prevents his second coming from being your greatest longing and your greatest hope?
Maybe there’s still a latent fear deep inside of you of seeing Jesus? A fear of his return in a judgment that you might not survive. A fear that finally seeing Jesus will result in only your shame and his disgust. If so, let today’s scripture put all of that to rest – he will appear a second time, not to deal with sin.
The promise is not just that Jesus will return for us, but that he will return for us to save us once and for all from the presence of sin, not to punish us for our sin. Why not? Because that punishment has already taken place when Christ was offered once for all time on the cross. In God’s economy, the ransomed soul has no sin left to deal with. They are forgiven, forgotten, removed as far as east is from west, and tossed into the sea of forgetfulness.
Are you in Christ or not? Was the cross effective or not? Are you God’s adopted child? Are you betrothed to Jesus? Are you clothed in his purifying love that removes all fear of punishment? Are you dressed in his righteousness alone, by grace alone, through faith alone? If yes, then there is nothing to fear at the appearance of Christ.
Hebrews says that Jesus will return to save those who are eagerly waiting for him?
Eagerly. Now that’s an interesting word.
I can’t say that I believe that most Christians are eagerly awaiting Christ’s final appearing. Especially not the young ones. Now the older saints, they’re a different story. Many of them are eagerly waiting for Jesus. Maybe the young Christians are afraid that they will miss out on some incredible life experience. Some great pleasure that they haven’t had yet. Graduating. Marriage. Sex. A dream vacation. A dream job. Writing the great American novel or composing the world’s greatest symphony. Making a difference. Changing the world. But the older Christians, reality has set in: Life doesn’t get any better than this. The longer you live, the more you lose. That’s why the return of Christ is a salvation. Not salvation from sin, but salvation from the effects of sin. Salvation from this cursed life.
Let me ask you, have you allowed the transcendent beauty, majesty and lorry that awaits all who are in Christ to grip your heart and capture your imagination? Admittedly, they are beyond what eye has seen, and ear has heard, and mind has conceived (1 Cor. 2:9). But they ARE your destiny. Can you see yourself there?
Can you see yourself before the throne of the living God?
Can you see yourself overwhelmed with the beauty of God’s presence?
Can you see yourself looking into the face of God as he gently wipes away all your tears?
Can you see yourself living on a newly restored Earth?
Can you see yourself living in a community that is completely free from pride, jealousy, resentment, hatred, and selfishness?
Can you see yourself living in the New Jerusalem, walking with Jesus on streets of gold, around the glassy sea?
Can you see yourself at the feast with all the saints?
Can you see yourself drinking freely from the River of Life, and eating freely from the Tree of Life?
Can you see yourself living free from all fears and all limits?
Can you see yourself living in a world without racism, sexism, oppression, injustice, war, or walls?
Can you see a life of never being sick, never hurt, never stressed, never depressed, and never anxious about anything?
Can you see yourself loving so fully, so deeply, so freely, from a truly pure heart?
This and so much more is what awaits us when Jesus returns. This is his promise to you today, I will come back for you. May we today and every day invoke the concluding prayer of scripture, “Come Lord Jesus!”
You: Are you eagerly awaiting Christ’s return? Why or why not?
You in Christ: When you see yourself in Christ’s presence what do you see? How can this image guide you each day until he returns?
Christ in you: How might your life change if you really believed you no longer had to deal with sin because Jesus has already dealt with it?
Prayer: Come Lord Jesus!
To Live is Christ 