Eagerly Longing For Christ's Return?

February 12th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

Hebrews 9:27-28 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 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.

In Hebrews 9:26, Jesus is said to have been “manifested” (Gr. phaneroō) at the end of the ages—a past tense time when He was made visible, signifying His first coming to the earth to present Himself as the Messiah, dying on the cross on man’s behalf. In 9:24, Jesus is said “now to appear (Gr. emphanizō) in heaven in the presence of God for us”—a present tense advent signifying Christ’s daily intercession on man’s behalf. Also, 9:28 says that Jesus “will appear” (Gr. horaō) to those eagerly awaiting His return, namely His second coming. Each “appearance” entails a physical manifestation of God in flesh for the redemption of those who believe.

Notably, on Yom Kippur, the annual Jewish Day of Atonement, the high priest appeared three times on behalf of Israel to atone for sins. He first appeared on that day at the bronze altar to atone for his own sins, for he was a sinner. The people would have been gathered together eagerly awaiting this day and the high priest’s arrival. We might parallel this to Christ’s first advent where He appeared as the Messiah. Though all of Israel was not gathered to receive Him, those who had followed Him were indeed prepared for His arrival (Matt. 21:1ff. Mark 11:1ff.).

Second, the high priest would then enter into the Holy of Holies to offer blood on the mercy seat of the Ark in order to intercede on man’s behalf with God. Perhaps this would correspond to Christ’s current intercession in heaven with God on man’s behalf (7:25; cf. Rom. 8:34). While the priest was in the Holy of Holies, the people gathered would have eagerly awaited his return to complete his unique duties—as true Christians eagerly long for Christ’s return.

Third, the high priest having exited the Holy of Holies after atoning for his own sins and that of his family, would enter a second time into the Holy of Holies with a goat for a sin offering for Israel’s sins of ignorance. Those gathered would have once again waited with eager expectation for the high priest to exit, for it would indicate that God had accepted the sacrifice. Upon exiting, the priest would place his hands on the second goat, the scapegoat, and send it into the wilderness as a sign of their sins being dismissed. Perhaps this final exit represents Christ’s second advent, when He finally completes the redemption process for all of God’s elect children.

Amazingly the prophet Daniel was given an exact day by God by which Israel could know the time in which their Messiah would arrive (cf. Dan. 9:25-26). Had Israel paid attention, they would have been waiting when Jesus rode into town on a donkey (Matt. 21:1-5) the same way they awaited the high priest on Yom Kippur. And had they followed Christ’s ministry, they would have known He was the great Prophet, Priest, and King the Hebrew Scriptures foretold.

The Bible speaks often of Christians eagerly waiting for their final future salvation in Christ’s return (Rom. 8:23, 25; 1 Cor. 1:7; Gal. 5:5; Phil. 3:20). The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 also speaks of an eager expectation accompanied by readiness for Christ’s return. For when Jesus does return, He is not coming to die again. His death at His first coming dealt with sin. He is returning to complete our salvation. At His return, however, there will be no chance for those awaiting atonement for sin. Sin is already atoned for. Since Jesus’ return will be to complete our salvation, it will be too late for salvation for all who have rejected Him.

Food For Thought
The eager expectation of the Lord’s coming is a measure of one’s assurance of salvation. If you’re not longing for that day, you should! Don’t let the worldly treasures choke your desire for Christ. He’s really all that is worth longing for. Since He’s coming again, we should long for it!