The double work of the Lord, the forgiveness and removal of our sins, is described in the ninth and tenth chapters of the Book of Hebrews.

Notice carefully the above two verses.

There are two sets of parallels here.

"And as it is appointed to men once to die" is parallel to "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many."

"But after this the judgment" is parallel to "unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

The appearing of Christ discussed in Hebrews 9:28 includes more than His coming in the clouds of glory.

Our deliverance from the afflictions of life and from the bondages of our flesh will take place when He appears, provided we are watching in joyous expectation for His glorious Presence.

But before the fullness of redemption can be given us there must be a coming of Christ in judgment—a judgment that leads to redemption from the bondages of sin in our personality. This prior coming of Christ to those who are looking for Him is set forth in Malachi 3:1: "the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple."

The first parallel associates our physical death with the offering of Christ on the cross as the sin-bearer.

The second parallel associates "judgment" with the appearing of Christ "without sin to salvation."

Following the second parallel, the second appearing of Christ is for the purpose of judging us in a manner that leads to our salvation.

Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. (Isaiah 1:27)

This interpretation of Hebrews 9:27,28 fits with the context of Chapters Nine and Ten, and also with the exhortation of the Book of Hebrews. The exhortation of Hebrews is that the saints must not neglect their salvation after having experienced the rudiments of redemption but must press forward to full possession of the promised-land rest of God.

The writings of the Apostles leave no doubt that we Christians are undergoing fiery sufferings and testings as part of our pilgrimage, and that the purpose of these tribulations is that our sins may be judged and removed from us.

The fourth chapter of I Peter explains the personal fulfillment of the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement signifies the forgiveness of our sins and the removal of uncleanness from us.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (I Peter 4:1)

We must, as did the Lord Jesus Christ, suffer while we are in the world. We are to expect suffering and to maintain a cheerful, obedient attitude as much as possible. Christ suffered for the purpose of forgiving and removing our sins. We suffer so sin may be removed from us. The suffering is a judgment on the sin that is in our flesh.

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick [living] and the dead. (I Peter 4:5)

To be continued.