July 20
LOOKING FOR HIM
"Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28
This is our hope. He to whom we have already looked as coming once
to bear the sins of many will have another manifestation to the sons
of men; this is a happy prospect in itself. But that second appearing
has certain peculiar marks which glorify it exceedingly.
Our Lord will have ended the business of sin. He has so taken it
away from His people, and so effectually borne its penalty, that He
will have nothing to do with it at His second coming. He will present
no sin-offering, for He will have utterly put sin away.
Our Lord will then complete the salvation of His people. They will
be finally and perfectly saved, and will in every respect enjoy the
fullness of that salvation. He comes not to bear the result of our
transgressions, but to bring the result of His obedience; not to
remove our condemnation, but to perfect our salvation.
Our Lord thus appears only to those who look for Him. He will not
be seen in this character by men whose eyes are blinded with self and
sin. To them He will be a terrible Judge, and nothing more. We must
first look to Him, and then look for Him; and in both cases our look
shall be life.