The Great Sacrifice continues. Heb. 23-28 (101)
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” v. 27, 28
- “So, Christ was once offered.” As the death-sentence, as a penal infliction, was passed upon all of Adam’s descendants Rom. 5:12 viewed as criminals, as having broken the law in the person of their federal head, so Christ was “appointed” or sentenced by God, the Judge of all, to undergo the curse of the law, on the behalf and in the stead of those whom He represented. “So, Christ was once offered to bear the sin of many Rom. 6:10, 1Pet. 3:18, 1Jn. 3:5, Lev. 10:17, Num. 18:1, 23, Is. 53:4–6, 11, 12, Mat. 26:28. Ro. 5:15, 1Pet. 2:24.” Here we see that deliverance from the curse which the wisdom and grace of God provided for His elect. The Anointed One, as the High Priest of His people, presented to God an all-sufficient and final satisfaction for all the sins of all who have been, from eternity, given to Him by the Father. Thus vv. 27, 28 present the antithesis of the Law and the Gospel, as it relates to “men” indefinitely, and to the “many” specifically. The sins of many He “bare”—had imputed to Him, received the punishment of, and fully expiated—in His own body on the tree 1Pet. 2:24. He was not offered for any sin of his own. God laid on him the iniquity of all his people.
- “And unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” This needs to be interpreted in harmony with its context, and as furnishing the antitype of what is found in Lev. 16. The word for “appear Zec. 14:5, Jn. 14:3, Act. 1:11, 1Thes. 4:14–16, 2Thes. 1:5–9; 2:1, 1Jn. 3:2, Re. 1:7” here is not the one commonly used for the return of Christ—it means “to be seen.” When Aaron disappeared within the veil, the people waited with eager expectation until he came out again to bless them. So, Christ, having made atonement, and gone into heaven, shall yet re-appear and be seen by those who wait for Him. As men after death, must yet appear the “second time” in their body, to undergo condemnation therein; so, Christ shall appear the second time, to bestow on God’s elect eternal salvation.” Pink Arthur W.
- “Unto them that look for Him: Phi. 3:20, 1Thes. 1:10, 2Tim. 4:8, Tit. 2:13, 2Pet. 3:12 that is, all the redeemed, the “many” whose sins He bore. Though the vision tarry, they wait for it Hab. 2:3. Five things are included in this word “look for.” First, the steadfast faith of His appearing, resting with implicit confidence on His promise in John 14:2, 3. Second, a real love unto it: 2Tim. 4:8. Third, an ardent longing after it, so that they cry, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” Rev. 22:20. Fourth, a patient waiting for it, in the midst of many discouragements: Jas 5:7, 8. Fifth, a personal preparation for it: Matt. 25:10, Lk. 12:35–37.
- “Without (imputed) sin, unto salvation. Hereby Christ’s second advent is contrasted from His first. When he appeared the first time, it was with “sin” upon Him Jn. 1:29 as the Surety of sinners. Therefore, was He the Man of sorrows, and afflicted from His youth up Ps. 88:15. But He will re-appear in a very different state Rom. 6:10; 8:3, Is. 25:9. Ro. 8:23, 1Cor. 15:54, Phi. 3:21, 1Thes. 4:17, 2Thes. 1:10”: as the Conqueror of sin and Satan, the Savior of His people, the King of kings and Lord of lords. At His return, the efficacy of His once-for-all offering will be openly manifested. The question of His people’s sins having been finally settled at the cross, He will then glorify His redeemed. “For our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile ‘body’ that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself” Phil. 3:20, 21. He will then appear without sin, but shall be exceedingly glorious. This will be to the salvation of all who look for him; he will then perfect their holiness, their happiness; their number shall then be accomplished, and their salvation completed.
- “The appointment of God concerning men contains in it two things:—(1.) That they must once die. It is an awful thing to die, to have the vital knot loosed or cut asunder, all relations here dropped at once, an end put to our probation and preparation state, and to enter into another world. It is a great work, and it is a work that can be but once done, and therefore had need to be well done. This is matter of comfort to the godly; but it is matter of terror to the wicked, who die in their sins, that they cannot return again to do that great work better. (2.) It is appointed to men that after death they shall come to judgment, to a particular judgment immediately after death; for the soul returns to God as to its judge, to be determined to its eternal state; and men shall be brought to the general judgment, at the end of the world.” M. Henry
