“As it was appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, 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.” Heb 9:27-28.

Perhaps no other text of scripture has ever been more widely misapplied than the above; it is generally supposed to refer to mankind in general, and to mean that there comes a judgment to them after death.

But by reading this 27th verse in connection with verses 26 and 28, it will be seen that the “men” referred to in this text had nothing to do with mankind in general but refer to rather those “men” who served as the high priests of Israel. Paul is trying to show us that these “men” in the sacrifices which they “offered year by year continually,” were but types of Christ; that though they offered and went into the Holy place every year, Christ as the antitype needed only to go in once.

Christ’s sacrifice was that of his own life, while that of these typical men was the blood of others, that is to say, these typical priests instead of laying down their lives and then being given a new, or spiritual life (as in the case with Jesus) were told to kill “a bullock” which was for, or instead of their own, natural lives; thus in figure the priest died, every time he slew the bullock.

Now after thus killing the bullock it remained for the high priest to take the blood into the holy place to see whether it would be accepted. This was the judgment – trial. If the work had been all properly done, it was accepted of God and was the basis of at-one-ment for the people and the after blessing. Now notice that,

“As it was appointed unto (those) men once to die, (symbolically, as represented by the bullock) and after that the judgment, (to see if their sacrifice was acceptable) so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.”

Our head, Jesus, having given himself for us – the church (Eph 5: 25-27) presented the evidences of his death in the flesh, (typified by the bullock Then came the trial or judgement–

Was it a perfect sacrifice?

If so, it would be accepted. It was perfect and was accepted of God and while the Head remained in glory, the spirit of the Head came upon all believers (at Pentecost) anointing them as His body, to have share in His sufferings and to be made conformable unto His death, as represented in the goat sacrifice. Lev 16.

Soon the body will have finished its work of “filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.” Col 1:24. Then the Head comes to the body and takes it into the Most Holy, the sacrifice of the body being accepted through the merit of its Head. Then the appearing to bless all the people takes place. (Lev 9:23.)

When he thus appears to bless, is it the head alone which appears think you?

No, “when he shall appear we also shall appear with him IN GLORY.” “We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him.” 1 John 3:2. We will be like him when he appears not after he appears.

Will he appear in the flesh and we in the flesh?

No, that would not be “in glory.” Besides if you will examine the context, you will readily see that the spiritual body is meant.

He took a flesh body only as a sacrifice – “A body hast thou prepared me” (for sacrifice). “He took upon him the form of a servant for the suffering of death.” But when he comes forth the second time (head and body complete) it will not be to repeat the work of sacrifice, “for this he did once” but he comes forth unto salvation and he comes “IN GLORY.”

Thus, the prophets foresaw and foretold “the sufferings of Christ (head and body) and the glory that should follow:” “For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulations. No man should be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.” 1 Thess 3:3-4.

Take joyfully then dear brethren the sufferings of the present, that when they are ended, we may be joined to, and “appear with Him in glory,” for then “you shall be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Continued with next post.