Are you eagerly awaiting Jesus’ second coming?

Hebrews 9:27-28 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. What hope and expectation we have in Jesus! God has appointed that the soul that sins must die (Ezekiel 18:4). “Behold, all souls are Mine…the soul who sins will die.” Therefore every man, woman, boy, or girl is appointed to die, and then they face God’s judgment. The same is true of Jesus. He became a man, so likewise it was appointed by God for Him to die and then stand in the presence of God to hear His judgment. The author in the previous verses had made the case that Jesus’ death was once for all. He does not have to die over and over again because He bore the sins of many all at one time. Then God judged that His death was sufficient for and satisfied the demands of divine law.  Jesus’ appearance in God’s court resulted in our acquittal and freedom. As we read in yesterday’s verse, sin has been removed from our account. We know this is true because God raised Him from the dead. God’s judgment has been manifested in the resurrection. God has also appointed that Jesus must appear a second time in the history of the earth. This time it will not be to deal with sin. That’s finished. The second time Jesus will appear to save His people from the wrath of God’s judgment. God’s wrath has been promised upon all who dwell in the city of destruction, as John Bunyan called it in Pilgrim’s Progress. All those who have been called and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb will be saved on that day. For them, the judgment has already happened. It is for that salvation that all who died in Christ await. We died when Jesus died because God loves us and put us in Christ. Our great hope is in heaven, where our lives are “hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life is revealed, then we also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4).  Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) Your appointment with death has already been met, and the judgment has been rendered in your case. That occurred in Jesus’ first appearing. You have one more appearance of the Son of God to look forward to—His second coming, when we will begin our eternal life in glory in the new heavens and earth.  Have you believed in Jesus as God’s appointed high priest and eternal redeemer? Do you believe He is the resurrection and the life? What are you to do if you believe in Jesus? Rejoice that you are loved by God and that your sins have been put out of the way. Then show the reality of your faith by loving every day with Him as you await His second coming.