“Once in the end of the world [ages] hath he appeared…” Hebrews 9:26 KJV
“Once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested…” Hebrews 9:26 NASB
“…Now to appear in the presence of God for us…” Hebrews 9:24 KJV and NASB
“… shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation…” Hebrews 9:28 KJV
“…will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin…” Hebrews 9:28 NASB
Hebrews 9 has been a source of many devotional messages, many of them centering on the “three appearings” of Christ in this section. Those who are versed in original languages are quick to point out that if a message is built on the three appearings, it is built on a shaky foundation, as the original word in all three instances is different, the one from the other.
But while the Spirit of God may employ unique words to express nuances of thought, we can still appreciate the end result and reality of these truths for our souls. Think first of –
Christ in History
“Once, in the consummation of the ages …” His incarnation, habitation amongst us, and His propitiation are all included in this one verse. It tells of the finality of His sacrifice – one for all; it tells of the efficacy of His work – to put away sin; it tells of the great climax of the history of the ages – in the completion of the ages. This one verse is a compendium of doctrine, a mine of themes for worship, and a field for Gospel truth.
Bursting into our world, interrupting its downward course, has come the Son of God. He did not come to bring a sacrifice but to be the sacrifice. He put away sin “by the sacrifice of Himself.” His appearance in history has changed history; it has, as well, changed destinies and eternity for myriads of believing souls.
Christ in Heaven
He Who completed the great work of Calvary has entered heaven to appear there for us. The Hebrew letter has revealed to us Christ in heaven as our High Priest, our Mediator, as our Surety, and as our Anchor and Hope. The presence of a living man, in flesh and bone in heaven, is our assurance that we are welcome at this very moment in the sanctuary above and that we will one day be welcomed into those environs as our eternal abode.
He has brought flesh into heaven giving us a boldness for our day-by-day entrance into that heavenly sphere (Heb 10:19, 20). But He is there as well to sympathize, succour, and save as our High Priest. All that He is above, He is “for us.”
Christ on the Horizon
The strict interpretation of verse 28 is open to some differences of opinion. In light of the Hebrew epistle’s themes, many think that the appearing referenced here is the appearing of the Lord Jesus at the end of the tribulation to the beleaguered remnant of Israel. Others of equal authority view this as His coming for the Church, the rapture. But, debates aside, He is coming. And if it is for the remnant of Israel, then He must come first for us.
The chief truth to grasp is that His coming is on the horizon. He is coming soon.
Consider:
Can you find five contrasts in these verses between the sacrifices year by year and the once-for-all sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Look at verse 26 and notice the person, the purpose, the perfection, and the price. Will that help you in your remembrance of Him this week and this coming Lord’s Day?