So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. 

Hebrews 9:28 

The return of Christ sets the final seal on all the rest of Scripture. Critics cavil about the book of Revelation because, in their estimation it seems tacked on to the rest of the New Testament. They accuse it of being a hodgepodge of fantastical ideas, which sets forth events they believe are preposterous. To those critics, the most appropriate response is, ‘Wait for it.’ Christ said, definitively and categorically, He would return. His apostles, Peter, Paul, John and others wrote extensively on the subject of His return. It remains, for us to believe the words of Christ, and the testimony of the Scriptures. That others refuse to believe it, mock it, and deny it is irrelevant. Just as surely as all the other prophecies of Scripture have come to pass at their appointed times, so this also, will occur. The writer of Hebrews affirms ‘He will appear a second time.’ We believe the testimony of all those who have said that Jesus shall return. This is the long view of history. This gives us hope for the rest of time and for eternity. ‘He will appear a second time….’ We believe it.  

Our Gracious God and our Savior, 
we look forward to the day when You will return. 
We praise You that You have given us Your Word, 
upon which we can rely.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.  

Hebrews 9:27-28 

What is that one appointment we will all keep? It is our appointment with death. We prefer not to think about it too much. We realize it is on the way. Every day brings us a step closer to it. We expect to live out our seventy or eighty years and hope to die peacefully in our sleep. Facts tell us that only a certain percentage of the population will die that way. Every siren reminds us that life can come to an end quickly and unexpectedly. How can we prepare ourselves for this inevitable appointment and the judgment that follows it as our text reminds us? The answer is Christ. Christ has offered the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. For us to be in Christ is to know that He has done all that is required for God to accept us. It is not even our faith that saves us rather it is Christ Who saves. We receive Him by faith, but even that faith is a gift of God. This allows us to face this final appointment without fear. Our appeal to you is that you embrace this Christ Who Alone can prepare you to meet this last appointment.  

Our Wise and Sovereign God, 
we rejoice that You hold our life in Your Hands. 
We praise You that You have provided for us, 
eternal life in Christ.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning