How does Hebrews 9:28 connect with Old Testament sacrificial practices? Hebrews 9:28 in Focus “So also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.” Echoes of the Day of Atonement • Leviticus 16 describes the high priest entering the Most Holy Place “once a year” to make atonement (Leviticus 16:34). • Two goats were involved: one slain, the other (the scapegoat) carrying sins into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:7-10). • Hebrews 9:28 picks up this pattern: – “offered once” mirrors the single entry of the high priest. – “bear the sins of many” recalls the scapegoat “bearing all their iniquities” (Leviticus 16:22). • Israel waited outside until the priest reappeared; Hebrews parallels this with believers “eagerly await” Christ’s return. The End of Repeated Sacrifices • Old Testament offerings were continual—morning and evening (Exodus 29:38-42) and yearly on the Day of Atonement. • Hebrews 10:11 notes priests “stand daily” offering sacrifices “that can never take away sins.” • By contrast, Hebrews 9:28 declares Christ’s work finished in a single, definitive act. “Offered Once” – Why Only Once? • Perfect substitution: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • Perfect sacrifice: Jesus is “a lamb without blemish” (1 Peter 1:19), fulfilling the Passover picture (Exodus 12:5-13). • Perfect priest: He “entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle” with His own blood (Hebrews 9:11-12). Bearing the Sins of Many • Isaiah 53:12 foretold, “He bore the sin of many.” • 2 Corinthians 5:21 adds, “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.” • The scapegoat symbolized removal of guilt; Jesus accomplishes it finally—“as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). Waiting for His Appearing • Just as Israel watched for the priest to re-emerge, believers look for Christ “a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation.” • Titus 2:13 calls this “the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” • His return completes the pattern: atonement accomplished, presence restored. Assurance Flowing from the Final Sacrifice • No more blood is needed—“where there is forgiveness, no further offering for sin is required” (Hebrews 10:18). • Believers now “enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22). • The same Lord who dealt with sin decisively will soon appear in glory, securing the full experience of the salvation He has already purchased. |
    |