An Appointed Time

Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
January 1, 2006

Hebrews 9:27-28 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

If you have received correspondence from me or looked closely at our newsletter, you will recognize the text. My heart was recently drawn to these verses again. When I read these two verses, my heart was warmed as I pondered afresh and anew the greatness of our God. The text reveals a God of order and control. Many would see the events of recent days as those of chaos and void of any structured program. This is not the case! God is not only aware of all, but is in control of all. The text reveals His control of time as to "An Appointed Time." God places before us three distinct times in these two verses.

(I) The Appointed Time of the Creature - vs. 27
God has set boundaries and has ordered events in the lives of His creatures. Men are foolish to think that they are in control of this valuable commodity known as time. For all men there is an:

Appointed Grave, "unto men once to die." In John 10:18 Jesus revealed His power over His own death. "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." Not only does He have power over His death, but also the text reveals that the lives of all men are in His hand. Knowing this great truth, Moses wrote in Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Appointed Government, "but after this the judgment." All men must give an account unto divine government. There is the appointment of sinners in Revelation 20:12 and of saints in II Corinthians 5:10. All will stand before Christ! "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son" John 5:22.

(II) The Appointed Time of Christ - vs. 28a
Because Christ is God and God is eternal, I do not speak of a beginning or an ending, but rather His appointed actions. There was His:

Appointed Gift, "So Christ was once offered." Christ was given as a gift from God in the fullness of time. He was not offered too early or too late. Everything was according to divine program and plan.

Appointed Grace, "to bear the sins of many." II Corinthians 5:21 reveals that Jesus becoming our sin bearer, was an act of grace. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." It was nothing we deserved or earned. It was all of grace!

(III) The Appointed Time of Coming - vs. 28b
There is an appointed time known only to the Father, when Christ shall return for His bride. For the saint there is an:

Appointed Gaze, "them that look for him." In Mark 13 Jesus repeatedly uses the word "watch." "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is" (vs. 33). Paul admonishes Titus, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).

Appointed Glory, "without sin unto salvation." At the appointed time of His Second Coming, Christ will not be a sin bearer, but a Sovereign in a glorified body. This should thrill every believer for we are promised to be like Him at His appearing. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (I Corinthians 15:52).

What may appear as unplanned and without structure to human eyes, is a Sovereign plan in which there are Appointed Times!