Christian Message Boards: WHICH APPEARING?

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Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

by Russell S. Miller

"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" (Heb.9:28).

When our Lord first came to earth, He came "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself". This one infinite sacrifice was the great anti-type of all the Old Testament sacrifices. They were offered "year by year continually" (10:1); indeed, "it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats" could ever "take away sins" (10:4). But Christ, by His one sacrifice, "the sacrifice of Himself", put away sin, settling the sin question forever for believers.

But what about the latter part of our text, concerning His appearing "the second time"? Does this refer to His Second Coming to earth?

Hardly.

The second time our Lord comes to earth He will not come apart from the sin question. Rather He will come in wrath to judge sin.

"Because He [God] hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained, whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

It is concerning this return of Christ to earth that we read:

"And in righteousness doth He judge and make war" (Rev.19:11).

Clearly, our Lord's appearing "apart from sin" cannot refer to His return to earth to judge the world for sin. And notice carefully: If our Lord were to catch up His Church after the Great Tribulation on His way to judge the world, as some teach, this would still be His return to judge the world for sin. Moreover, Hebrews 9:28 refers to our Lord's appearing, not to those who reject Him, but to those who "look for Him".

To these--and we are among them!--He will appear, not in wrath to judge sin, but in love, "apart from sin unto salvation". In other words, we have here another reference to the rapture of "the Church, which is His Body". True, we will receive rewards or suffer loss for our service and conduct as believers, but our sins were fully paid for by that "one sacrifice" in which "Christ was offered to bear the sins of many". This appearing, "apart from sin", then, is the "appearing" to which Paul so often refers, and in Titus 2:13 he refer to it as a "blessed hope".

"LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST" (Tit.2:13).

Posted by MentorsRiddle (Member # 2108) on :

Jesus come quickly!

Thanks for the time you spent posting this.

It was a very uplifting read for this morning. [Smile]

Posted by Betty Louise (Member # 7175) on :

Every day I pray for the rapture at least once and most days many more times.
Lord Jesus, Please today.
Betty [rapture]

Posted by jumpinjack (Member # 7721) on :

Betty, Betty, Betty.

Posted by WildB (Member # 2917) on :

2Pet.3

[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Posted by jumpinjack (Member # 7721) on :

WildB:

I'm confused. How does this quote pertain to what betty is talking about? Or, are you referring to an earlier post, here. I'm confused.

Posted by Carol Swenson (Member # 6929) on :

Many of us, including myself, hope the Rapture will happen soon. But, as WildB reminds us, there are still people to be saved and the Lord is patient for their sakes.