Christ will come again
Today's reading Hebrews 9:15-28
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Today’s blog
“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
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The hope of Christ coming again in glory is at the heart of Christian faith, mentioned often by Jesus (e.g. Matt.24:30-31,42-44) and by all the New Testament writers (e.g. 1 Th.4:16-18; 1 Jn.2:28). It’s frequently described as his appearing. At his first coming, his glory was hidden but when he appears a second time “we shall see him as he is” (1 Pet.1:7; 1 Jn.3:2).
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Hebrews stresses the “once for all” aspect of Jesus’s sacrificial death. In contrast to the sacrifices made by the high priests which had to be repeated annually, Jesus “entered the Most Holy Place once for all” (9:12; cf. 7:27; 10:10). “He has appeared once for all... to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself” (26). It’s a finished work, never to be repeated. His return will be for a very different purpose
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People live and die once and after death comes judgement (27). The one death that humans die is here contrasted with the one death that Christ died (28). Christ died “once” to save us from that judgement, and “he will appear a second time” though this time to complete what he’s already done. His second coming will bring about the day of judgement (2 Tim.4:1,8) but it’s salvation which is here emphasised. On that day, “those who are waiting for him” will receive their promised inheritance as God’s children (1 Pet.1:4). “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col.3:4). So, wait patiently and don’t give up (Rom.8:24-25).
(To dig a bit deeper into Hebrews 9:15-28 click here for some commentary notes.)