9:24 figures of the true. Thus the wilderness tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem were only “figures of the true” tabernacle. The latter is not only a structure in heaven, but in a sense is “heaven itself.”

9:24 now to appear. There are three different “appearings” of Christ mentioned in this chapter, using three different Greek words. Hebrews 9:26 speaks of the past appearing, when “He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:28 speaks of His future appearing, when He shall “appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” His present appearance, however, is in “heaven itself,” where He “ever liveth to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25).

9:27 once to die. Enoch and Elijah seem to have been exceptions to this principle (Genesis 5:24; II Kings 2:11), but they will probably return to the earth in the last days, and then die (see notes on Revelation 11:3-12). There will be one great exception, of course, for the saints living on earth when Christ returns (I Corinthians 15:51-53), but all (even those who will be living at that time) must prepare for death, for no one can be sure he will not die before Christ comes.

9:28 bear. “Bear” here is the same word as “offer up” in Hebrews 7:27. Christ not only bore the penalty of our sins on the cross, but also offered up His sacrificial blood to the Father as proof thereof (contrast Hebrews 9:24-25). Israel’s high priest offered up the blood of animals as an atonement for sins. Our High Priest offered up Himself!

9:28 look for him. To “look for Him” means to “expectantly wait for Him,” knowing that He might come at any time. There is nothing in the whole scope of prophesied events in the last days that must be fulfilled before He comes. Many of these events could happen before His return, but none must happen. We should “look for Him” every day and “love His appearing” (II Timothy 4:8).