That One Appointment

Heb. 9:27  –  “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…”

It is not somewhere appointed that you will be rich or poor, sick or healthy, live in one place or another, be well-known or un-known, or have any particular talent.

It is appointed “to die once.”

The context of this verse is the singular, sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The writer affirms that “now, once at the end of the ages,” Christ “has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” This context makes it much easier to read what comes next.

It is appointed “to die once.”

Then, after that, “the judgment.” What has God done to prepare us for death and judgment? Keep reading. “…Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

A man by the name of James Rodgers, was executed in 1960 in Nevada. The execution was carried out by firing squad. According to custom – the warden asked the condemned man if he had a last request. He said, “Sure, I’d like a bulletproof vest.”

We do all we can do – to miss this appointment. Still, it is appointed to die. It would be dreadful to read that, if we didn’t have the context of Christ offering Himself for us. Have you applied that offering to your life? Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9).