“He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world, but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:26-28
Everyone has to die once, then stand at Judgment.
Christ died once,
but His death was a sacrifice
that took care of sins forever.
When He Comes Again,
it will be salvation
for those waiting for Him.
[Hebrews 9:27-28]
1st great certainty - Death. “It is appointed for men to die once.”
Christianity is about life. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
Jesus said: “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” John 5:21.
But we all die because we are human in Adam. 1 Cor. 15:22
“Life is a constant and daily journey toward death. One after another dies, and the living must merely engage in the miserable business of carrying one another to the grave. All of us are traveling the same road together.” Luther
2nd great certainty - Judgment. “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10.
Judgment beyond this life is only fair and right.We shall be judged by a law which is “holy and just and good.”
God’s promise to forgive and forget. Hebrews 10:17; 1 John 1:9.
“Will my life stand the test of judgment?”
3rd great certainty - Gospel. “So it is certain that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.”
The Good News Gospel of Christ is as certain as death and judgment. God loves you and wants you to know what He has done for you in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. a) HE lived a sinless life - fulfilling God’s law.
b) HE died for us and paid the penalty for our breaking the law of God. Romans 5:8.c) HE rose from the dead and commanded us to tell everyone the Good News that forgiveness and eternal life are offered freely to all who believe. Luke 24:47; John 20:31
4th great certainty - Christ is Coming Again.
“He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”God begins to reward us for Christ’s sake even now. He accepts us as sons/daughters (John 1:12). He gives us the Holy Spirit (Gal. 4:6). He transforms our lives by making us a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
To believers who wait eagerly for Him, Christ’s return is the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:11-13)
We are in a new life right now,
and we want the Day to come!
The glorious Day when our great
God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered Himself as a sacrifice
to free us from a dark, rebellious life -
into this good, pure life,
making us a people
He can be proud of.
[Titus 2:12-14]
