Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 8-11
     New Testament Reading: Hebrews 9

But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for people to die once – and after this, judgment – so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:26a-28).

Jesus appeared once when He came to earth to save us from the penalty of sin. He appeared at the end of the ages, after the Old Covenant had conclusively demonstrated man’s failure and powerlessness. He appeared for the removal of sin. Sin was removed. It was no longer a matter of annual atonement. Now it was eternal forgiveness. He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. In His own body, He bore the punishment which our sins deserved.

Jesus’ death not only provides salvation but also gives great confidence for Christians. We can step boldly before the Lord in prayer, and boldly into the world in service and witness. Jesus has already won the battle!

The Old Covenant was given to a people who were already sinners and who could not keep it perfectly. Therefore, it became a means of condemnation to all who were under it. The New Covenant introduces the infinite sacrifice of Christ; He was offered once to bear the sins of many.

It presents the blessed hope of His imminent return; to those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time. But when He returns, it will not be to deal with the problem of sin: He finished that work at the cross. He will come to take His people home to heaven. This will be the culmination of their salvation; they will receive their glorified bodies and be forever beyond the reach of sin.

Epicurus said, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” And that was the world view of the Greeks in the first century. But the writer of Hebrews presented a substantially different viewpoint. The words and after this, judgment probably did not sit well with most people in the first century any more than today!

The Bible looks at life, and the afterlife, from a different angle. As Solomon discovered, there is more to life than eating, drinking, and being merry. (Eccles. 2) And there is more to death than the grave. Beyond the grave, there is God. Waiting for us. Eagerly waiting as a loving father awaiting the reunion of all his children. The real question is, are we eagerly waiting for Him? Do we yearn to see His face? Do we ache for His embrace? Do we long to hear the words, Well done, good and faithful servant? (Matt. 25:23).