Hebrews 9:23-28
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 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.
SOAP – Hebrews 9:28
In the Old Testament, the sacrifice and bloodshed of animals paid the price for sin. An animal sacrifice with the shedding of blood had to be made for every single sin. The animal sacrifices were a symbol for the coming of Jesus. Our eternal Christ died once and for all to take away all the sins for eternity. When Jesus returns, He will return as a conquering King to rescue His people and judge the unsaved.
How are you eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus Christ? Christians are to remain patient in eager anticipation of Christ’s return. But we should also be busy serving God in the church, spreading the gospel, making disciples, and demonstrating His forgiveness to the lost.
Father God, I thank You for the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. I thank You that I no longer have to continually slaughter animal sacrifices for every single sin I commit. Help me to continually serve You as I eagerly await Jesus’ return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.