“The Three Tenses of Jesus Appearing”
Hebrews 9:19-28
In another favorite portion of this same epistle, we are shown His three appearings:
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 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.
I. He did appear to redeem us (9:26); (phaneroo) His past manifestation for “the sacrifice of himself” (past)
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Jesus was born to die! He was a “lamb slain from the foundation of the world also.”
a. It is an efficient sacrifice – “once offered”
Matthew 26:28: (Jesus speaking) “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
John 1:29: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:35-36: Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Ephesians 1:7: In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin.
Revelation 1:5: and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
Revelation 5:8-10: Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Jesus), each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” NKJV
b. It is an effectual sacrifice – “to bear the
sins”
Hebrews 9:22 tells us that “without shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sin.”
Deuteronomy 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
c. It is an effective sacrifice – “of many”
1 John 2:2, KJV: "And he is the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Jesus died for the sins of the whole world; past, present and future.!
II. He now appears to represent us (9:24); (emphanizo) “of His present manifestation before the face of God for us” (present)
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
a. The place – “heaven itself”
Where did Jesus go when he ascended? Answer; He went to heaven.
The Bible tells us that 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, God took Him back to heaven. After commanding His disciples to preach the Gospel to the whole world, “he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).
Why did Jesus return to heaven? One reason was because His work on earth was finished. He had come for one reason: To make it possible for our sins to be forgiven, so we could be with Him in heaven forever. Only one thing will keep us out of heaven, and that is our sin. The reason is because God is absolutely pure and holy, and even one sin — just one — would be enough to banish us from His presence. But by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Christ purchased our salvation and opened heaven’s door for us. BillyGraham.org
b. The purpose – “to appear in the presence of God”
He is our great high priest but he is better that Aaron, better than Melchesidec, better than any earthly priest for He does not have to offer a sacrifice for himself like these earthly priests for He alone is worthy to enter into the Holy of Holies, into the throne room of God. His worthiness is the theme of Revelation 5:12
Understanding the Worthiness of Jesus
In one of the greatest worship gathering described in Scripture, seven key areas of life are given in worship to Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain!
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” -Revelation 5:12
Jesus is Worthy to Receive Wealth
Jesus is Worthy to Receive Wisdom
Jesus is Worthy to Receive Strength
Jesus is Worthy to Receive Honor
Jesus is Worthy to Receive Glory
Jesus is Worthy to Receive Praise
House of Prayer Edmonton (HopE)
c. The people – “for us”
Jesus also returned to heaven so He could intercede for us, praying for us and keeping us from Satan’s grip. Even now He sits at the right hand of God — the place of authority and influence — to work on our behalf. One of the Bible’s greatest promises declares, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). BillyGraham.org
III. He will appear to reward us (9:28). (optomai) “His future manifestation for His saints” (prospect)
28 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.
a. The prospects - “them that look for him”
What are you looking for my friend? We better keep one eye on the sky!
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The 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.
10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
b. The promise – “shall he appear”
“Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon; many shall meet their doom, trumpets will sound. All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies, going where no one dies, heavenward bound!”
John W. Peterson wrote:
Marvelous message we bring,
Glorious carol we sing,
Wonderful word of the King,
Jesus is coming again!
Chorus
Coming again, Coming again,
May be morning, may be noon,
May be evening and may be soon!
Coming again, Coming again;
O what a wonderful day it will be -
Jesus is coming again!
Forest and flower exclaim,
Mountain and meadow the same,
All earth and heaven proclaim,
Jesus is coming again!
Chorus
Coming again, Coming again,
May be morning, may be noon,
May be evening and may be soon!
Coming again, Coming again;
O what a wonderful day it will be -
Jesus is coming again!
Standing before Him at last,
Trial and trouble all past,
Crowns at His feet we will cast,
Jesus is coming again!
Chorus
Coming again, Coming again,
May be morning, may be noon,
May be evening and may be soon!
Coming again, Coming again;
O what a wonderful day it will be -
Jesus is coming again!
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c. The peace – “without sin unto salvation”
Sin is our nemesis. Sin is the stain upon our soul. Sin robs us of peace, joy and happiness. Sin separates us from the Father, our family and our friends! Oh to experience the day when we can say finally that we are “without sin unto salvation”! This is made possible by Jesus who:
Past Tense
I. Who appeared to redeem us
Present Tense
II. Who now appears to represent us
Future Tense
III. Who will appear to reward us
