The word “appearing” occurs three times in Hebrews 4, and the repetition, says Mackintosh, isn’t accidental. In all, Hebrews 4 uses the word “appear” to describe three distinct—but related—functions of Christ work: Christ appears on earth to accomplish a certain work, appears in heaven to accomplish a certain ministry, and will appear in glory at the Second Coming. This concise word study succinctly unites the diverse capacities in which Christ serves.
Man’s complete ruin in sin, and God’s perfect remedy in Christ, are fully, clearly, and often strikingly presented [in Mackintosh’s writings].
—Andrew Miller, a leader of the Plymouth Brethren movement