Hebrews 9:27-28 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 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.

Verse 27 is often quoted out of context to put pressure on people to consider their lives because after death we all will be judged. What we do in this life will determine our eternity. That part is true because there is a timeless truth in this verse. However, in this context, the author uses this idea as a comparison with what Jesus did on the cross for us, seen in verse 28 with the connecting word “so.” Jesus only had to die once because his death was “efficacious” or “had the power to produce the result that was intended.” His death was powerful and effective in solving the problem of sin. He takes away the sins of the “many,” which might be referring here to those who believe in Jesus and move in faith to follow his promises. Those who reject Christ’s atoning sacrifice will face judgement.

When the author mentions death and judgment in verse 27, he is wanting the readers to consider how they respond to Jesus: rejection by disobedience (ch. 6) or faith (12:1-2). These two points of sin and death are implied in verse 28. With Jesus’ first coming, salvation is offered and those who believe will experience this salvation. With Jesus’ second coming, those who believe will experience this salvation in full. The opposite implication is that those who do not believe will not experience this salvation. This idea serves as an implied warning to the readers not to turn their back on Jesus.

There are a couple of ways that come to my mind about how to interpret the last phrase of verse 28: “those whoa re waiting for him.” These people waiting could be alive or dead already. Other passages in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4-5 in particular, show that when Jesus comes again, those who have been waiting in death will experience salvation through resurrection. Their existence or souls are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5) but they await the final resurrection. This verse would seem to support this idea. The other possibility is that it refers to those who are alive at the time of Jesus’ coming again, or as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, we who are alive will be caught up with the dead to meet Jesus. Either possibility is awesome when we consider the alternative. This is a comparison between judgment for non-believers and salvation for believers.

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