AFTER DEATH THEN THE JUDGMENT

PROCLAMATION

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”  Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the unknown human author of The Book of Hebrews under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God to the Hebrew believers, and indirectly to all believers.  In this ninth chapter the author begins by discussing the early earthly tabernacle. (Hebrews 9:1-7)  Then he goes on to discuss the blood of Christ versus the blood of ceremonial animals. (Hebrews 9:11-14)  Then he presents the importance of the blood and concludes by stating that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22)  He ends the chapter stating that Christ did not offer Himself again and again as the high priest did by entering The Holy of Holies in the tabernacle each year. (Hebrews 9:25)  Christ came to earth once to sacrifice Himself for all sin. (Hebrews 9:26)  He will come again, but that time will not be to sacrifice Himself for sin, it will be to gather the believers unto Himself. (Hebrews 9:28)

 

APPLICATION

When we think about the birth of Christ, we need to remember that He came to earth to redeem us and pay the price for our sins.  The price for sin is death. (Roman 6:23)  Jesus, The Christ, shed His blood and died for our sins. (John 1:29 and 19:30-34)  The next time that He comes it will be to gather all of His believers unto Himself (Hebrews 9:28) and we will meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  He will also come back again to bring judgment to all of the non-believers.  Bible scholar J. Vernon McGee put it this way, “either your sin is on you, or it is on Christ.”  If you have not accepted Christ as your personal savior then you must pay the price for your sins and you will see Him after death as judge at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:11-15)  Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)

 

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“At that time people will see The Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”  Mark 13:26-27 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Mark, a companion Simon Peter.  After teaching in the synagogue, Jesus left the temple and went up to the Mount of Olives and sat on the side of the mountain facing the temple. (Mark 13:1-3)  Peter, James, John, and Andrew were with Him and asked Him about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world.  Jesus answered them with a very lengthy discourse regarding signs of the end times. (Mark 13:5-37)  He included information on the second coming of Christ and the post tribulation gathering of the saints. (Mark 13:26-27)  He ended His talk by telling them that no one knows the day or the hour when this will happen, and He advised them to “Watch!” and be ready. (Mark 13:32-37)

 

APPLICATION

The first coming of Christ was to offer salvation to the lost souls.  The second coming of Christ will be to gather His saints and to offer judgement.  No one knows exactly when this will occur, so we are advised to be ready for it.  We need to get ready now so that we will be ready when the time comes.