A Tale of Two Promises (Hebrews 9:27-28)

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so 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.” Hebrews 9:27–28 (ESV)

There are only a few guarantees in life and only one of them is permanent - death. 

Of all the promises found in the Bible, death is the most certain one. It's an inescapable reality each of us must face. 

But then what?  

This verse here is pretty explicit about what’s next- we each face God's judgment. The good news is that Christ has fully dealt with sin and is offering an exemption to judgment for all who will turn from their sin to embrace His mercy. That’s a guarantee you can stake your entire eternity on.

But not everyone has right standing before God- in fact most do not, only because they have refused to surrender to Jesus Christ (as of today His offer still stands). History is conclusive- there is no other more closely studied and documented facts than those surrounding the life and death Jesus of Nazareth. God promised His Son and He delivered. That day came just as He said.

But another day is coming. Hebrews 9:28 speaks of a second promise as certain as death itself - that Christ will return.  

Vs 28 confirms an equally powerful and certain promise about the end of all things and how history will close at the end of the age - with the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The writer of Hebrews is as confident about Jesus' death on the cross accomplishing salvation as He is that Jesus will return. Salvation through Jesus is a guarantee for those who believe, and it is only to those that believe that this promise is made.

While the first promise of death and judgment is guaranteed to all, only the second promise is conditional. Christ will appear again to rescue those who have already believed. Belief is the evidence of true faith and actions are the best evidence of faith. 

The first promise guarantees the second. Those who have yet to believe in Christ are promised eternal judgment while those who have trusted in Christ for salvation will be rescued forever from death.

As a preacher once said, "those only born once die twice, but those who are born twice die only once". 

Ready or not- He is coming. He truly is inevitable. The only question is "are you eagerly waiting for His return?" because in the end only those believing and waiting will be saved. 

@josh1eight

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