Now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ... To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.     Hebrews 9:26, 28

Christ appeared the first time in order to be made sin for us, and to bear our sins; they were laid upon Him on the cross. And, with regard to those who wait for Him, those sins are entirely put away. When He returns, Christ has nothing to do with sin, as far as they are concerned. It was fully dealt with at His first coming. He appears the second time to deliver them from all the results of sin, from all bondage. He will appear, not for judgment, but unto salvation.

It is well to notice the language. The apostle does not touch the question of the difference between this and our being caught up, and does not use the word which serves to announce His public manifestation. He will appear to those who expect Him. He is not (here) seen by all the world, nor is it consequently the judgment, although that may follow. The Holy Spirit speaks only of them that look for the Lord. To them He will appear. By them He will be seen, and it will be the time of their deliverance; so that it is true for us, and also applicable to the Jewish remnant in the last days.

Thus the Christian position, and the hope of the world to come, founded on the blood and on the Mediator of the new covenant, are both given here. How wonderful is the grace which we are now considering!

John N. Darby

This exceedingly choice portion of Scripture, Hebrews 9:24-28, presents anti-typically (as the fulfillment of a type, or figure) what was carried out on the day of atonement. Aaron first appeared at the brazen altar of sacrifice; thence he passed beyond the veil to appear in the presence of God on behalf of the people; and after doing that, he reappeared to bless the crowd of expectant worshipers (Leviticus 16). In beautiful keeping with these things, we read that Christ once appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26); that He now appears before the face of God for us (believers, 9:24); and that unto them that look for Him He shall reappear, apart from all questions of sin, unto salvation (9:28). And so we have:

Hath appeared	Does appear	Shall appear
Past	Present	Future
Calvary	Heaven	The air
Propitiation	Provision	Prospect
Redemption	Representation	Reward
Humiliation	Exaltation	Manifestation
Atonement	Priesthood	Salvation
Justification	Sanctification	Glorification

In a wider sense these verses epitomize the New Testament. He once appeared to put away sin -- the Gospels tell us that. He now appears in the presence of God for us -- Acts to Jude tell us that. He shall appear a second time -- the book of Revelation tells us that. During the whole of this dispensation, therefore, He is now ceaselessly engaged on behalf of His people (Hebrews 7:25). Where does He appear? Before the face of God. When? Now. For whom? For us.

George Henderson