He is Coming to Save

Hebrews 9:28

Introduction

Do you look forward to the second coming, do you love Christ’s appearing?

1 Corinthians 16:22 Maranatha - “ Our Lord, come!”

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”

How often do you think about His return, and how does His return shape and influence the things you say, the decisions you make, the plans for which you prepare?

Plan as though Christ were not coming for ten years. Live as though He were coming in ten seconds. Anonymous

Today’s passage: As Christ came once to atone for our sins, he will appear a second time to save those who wait for him.

Contrasting Advents

In his first coming, he entered the world in humility, laid in a manger, received by shepherds, forced to flee the sword. In his second coming he is crowned with many diadems, treading the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty (Rev 19:15).

In his first coming, he came humble and riding on a donkey; in his second we see him on a white horse, with blood dripped robes.

In his first coming, he stood before the powers and principalities to be judged in our place. In his second coming he is seated on the white throne to judge all people.

In the First Coming, Messiah came as the Lamb of God Who died for the sins of the world. But in preparation for His Second Coming, He is represented as the Lion ready to pounce.

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

In his first coming, he was meek and lowly, a bruised reed he will not break. In his second coming he is mighty and just, his sword piercing every heart.

In the first advent God veiled his divinity to prove the faithful; in the second advent he will manifest his glory to reward their faith.

John Chrysostom

Hebrews 9:28, in his first coming He came to bear our sins, his second coming is apart from sin, for he comes to save.

He will Appear to Save

Aren’t we already saved?

Saved (Justification) -

The judicial declaration of God - those who are in Christ by faith are counted as righteous. There is nothing left to do, He has saved us.

He saved by keeping perfectly the commands of God, satisfying the righteous expectation of the covenant of works, but also by establishing a covenant of Grace, in which he took our sin upon himself, bearing the full wrath of God, and in exchange giving to all who believe in Him His own righteousness.

Just as if I had never sinned, just as if I were righteous.

This has been declared, determined, ruled and settled by the judgment of God.

Being Saved (Sanctification)

The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, making us more like Christ, putting to death the old man, taking up the new life

The war is won, but the battle continues

Will Be Saved (Glorification)

To be with Him - John 17:22-24 prayer of Jesus

To be like Him - Transformed from glory to glory

I am not now what I will be then

When I see Him face to face

What the Second Coming Means for Believers

Standing for judgment, like all of creation: all must stand before the throne and give an account

There are two advents of Christ: that which has been, and that which is to be. And the two are not for the same purpose; the first came to pass not that He might search into our actions, but that He might pardon; the object of the second will be not to pardon, but to judge.

John Chrysostom

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Standing Redeemed - those who are in Christ stand in full confidence

Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 7:22 “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.”

Hebrews 9:24–26 “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 2for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

Eagerly Awaiting

Secure in God's Promise

Philippians 1:6“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:8 “who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Cultivate Longing

When Aaron disappeared within the veil of the tabernacle with the blood of atonement, 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.

Cultivate a longing for Christ by immersing yourself in Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with believers.

Colossians 3:1–2 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Eager waiting involves a life of holiness and service, reflecting our love for Christ and His kingdom - True faith is not passive but marked by an active, hopeful anticipation of Christ’s return.

Titus 2:12–13 “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

2 Peter 3:11–12 “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God”

Share the gospel boldly, knowing that Christ’s return is imminent and will bring eternal separation for those outside of Him

Matthew 24:14“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

Set your eye on the coming kingdom

One day a traveler in Switzerland discovered a beautiful but secluded estate on the shores of a tranquil lake. Knocking at the garden gate, he was met by an aged caretaker who cordially asked him to come in. The guardian seemed glad to see another person and eagerly showed him around the garden. “How long have you been here?” the tourist asked. “A very long time,” he replied. “And how often has your master returned?” “Four times.” “When was he here last?” “Many years ago. I am almost always alone—it’s very seldom that even a stranger visits me.” “Yet you have the garden in such perfect order,” said the traveler, “and everything is flourishing as if you were expecting your master tomorrow.” “No, sir,” exclaimed the caretaker, “I have it fixed as if he were coming today!”

At the Table - a taste of what awaits in his return.