Hebrews9:27-28

Hebrews 9:27–28 NIV84

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Why do we need to talk about this during the week of Thanksgiving?

I am thankful for many things, but nothing compares to the gift of salvation I have received.

There are a couple of reminders in these verses for me.

First, death is unavoidable. As long as life endures there will be physical death.

Genesis 3:19 NIV84

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Hebrews 9:27 tells that all humans will die and then tells us there will be a judgment. Now we this is where it gets a bit uncomfortable for some of us. No one likes to be judged. In fact, with the subject of judgement comes up, many will turn this study off. The doctrine of judgement mentioned here affirms that when Christ, the merciful and righteous King of the earth, returns, all humans will be held accountable for their lives. We will have eternal condemnation or eternal blessedness. The difference is in what you do with Christ.

Hebrews 9:28 reminds us that Christ was sacrificed once and for all and as a result the sins of many people will be taken away. Now does this mean that there are those whose sins were not taken away?

Jesus died once and for all for the whole world, but we know that there will be those who say no to Christ and do not accept Him. This troubles me. The Bible is clear about this judgement. Believers will face judgement as well as nonbelievers.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV84

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

For the nonbeliever, it will not be good at all.

Revelation 20:11–15 NIV84

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

We go own to see that when Christ returns the second our salvation will be made complete.

Matthew 16:27 NIV84

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Acts 1:11 NIV84

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV84

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

So here is a summary:

Salvation is a past event that was provided by Christ’s sacrifice. We can experience it as individuals by putting our faith in Christ, receiving His forgiveness that came through His sacrifice, and live for Him now. That makes salvation a present reality for us in a life in Christ. It remains a future event with the Second Coming of Christ for the absolute completion.

So, what are you thankful for?