Hebrews 9:27-28

Hebrews 9:27-28

[27] And  as  it is appointed  unto men  once  to die,  but  after  the judgment:  [28] So  Christ  was once  offered  to  bear  the sins  of many;  and unto them that look  for him  the second time  without  sin  unto  salvation. 

What does Hebrews 9:27-28 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Because Jesus Christ died for our sins we do not need to fear condemnation after death ( Hebrews 9:27; cf. Romans 8:1), but we can look forward to ultimate deliverance (i.e, glorification, Hebrews 9:28).
"There is a finality about it [1] that is not to be disputed. But if it is the complete and final end to life on earth, it is not, as so many in the ancient world thought, the complete and final end. Death is more serious than that because it is followed by judgment. Men are accountable, and after death they will render account to God." [2]
This is one of only two references to sin-bearing in the New Testament (cf. 1 Peter 2:24), but the concept is common in the Old Testament (cf. Numbers 14:34; Isaiah 53:11-12; Ezekiel 18:20).
"Reference to the "many" is not ... to be understood as limiting the effects of Christ"s sacrifice to those who accept it in faith. The implied contrast, as in Isaiah 52:12; Hebrews 2:10; Mark 10:45; Mark 14:24, is rather between the one sacrifice and the great number of those who benefit from it." [3]
When the Lord returns at the Rapture all Christians will enter into His presence, but only believers who have remained faithful to Him will enter into their full inheritance (cf. Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 9:15). "Those who eagerly await Him" ( Hebrews 9:28) evidently refers to faithful believers. [4] Specifically what will take place is that at the Rapture all believers will go to be with Christ. However only those who have not apostatized will receive a full reward at the judgment seat of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 3:14-15; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). [5]
". . . his appearance will confirm that his sacrifice has been accepted and that he has secured the blessings of salvation for those whom he represented. . . . The parousia is thus the key event in the realization of salvation." [6]
"On one day of the year alone only the high priest could pass through the curtain to appear before God ( Hebrews 9:7). That he must do so year after year indicated that the atonement he secured was merely provisional in character. The sacrifices he offered were inadequate to accomplish a decisive purgation of the defilement of sin. Against this backdrop the writer contrasts the efficacy of the unrepeatable action of Christ, whose single offering secured eschatological salvation and provided access to the inaccessible presence of God. The key to the typological exposition of salvation in Hebrews 9:11-28 is that entrance into the heavenly sanctuary pertains to an eschatological and eternal order of salvation.
"The writer"s primary concern in this section is with objective salvation. The exposition is focused upon the saving work of Christ in relation to God in behalf of the redeemed community rather than upon salvation realized subjectively in Christians." [7]
The New Covenant sanctuary is superior for five reasons. It is heavenly ( Hebrews 9:11), and its ministry is effective in dealing with sin ( Hebrews 9:12-15). Its ministry also rests on a more costly sacrifice ( Hebrews 9:16-23), represents fulfillment ( Hebrews 9:24), and is final and complete ( Hebrews 9:25-28). [8]