“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment.”
Hebrews 9:27
There’ll be no avoiding or rescheduling on that Day.
Your Appointment with Death.
Perhaps you’re reading these words in the early morning hours; or, maybe right before you go to bed at night. But, if you’re like most folks, you’re rather be meditating on a different topic—you know, one that makes you “feel good.”
Death is certainly not one of them.
That’s why many folks get nervous when they go to the doctor’s office or hospital. And, they certainly start having sweaty palms and palpitating hearts when it comes to visiting a funeral home or the cemetery.
Why is that?
Simply because these remind them of their mortality. . .their “vapory experience” here on earth (James 4:13-15). . .the brevity of life and the certainty of death.
Yet, in a way, all of these are a blessing—IF we’ve escaped “God’s wrath through Jesus’ precious Blood” and are “saved by His indwelling Life” (Rom. 5:6-11).
Truly, only those who’ve been “born twice” can understand what the anonymous author of today’s Manna meant when he said “And as it is appointed unto men ONCE to die.” As someone once said, “You can be born once and die twice; or you can be born twice and die once.” Hallelujah!!
Sadly, there are so many who casually or callously disregard these words.
Like the Epicureans of old, their mantra is “Eat, drink and be merry—for tomorrow you die!” Like the Sadducees, they don’t believe in life after death or a resurrection: “Heaven and hell are what you make of things here-and-now,” they cry.
But, in their “partying hardy” and attempting to prolong “the inevitable,” there’s still a hollow emptiness nagging and lurking in the depths of their soul.
Why is that?
Simply because they know “It’s appointed unto them once to die—and after this the Judgment.”
They know there’ll be no second chances. No hidden loopholes. No plea bargains on that Day. Even though they live like there’s no tomorrow, they know there is—for God has implanted Eternity in our hearts from the day of our conception in our mother’s womb.
Is your heart right with God, dear Reader? If you died tonight, would you stand as one of the Redeemed at Christ’s Judgment Seat (II Cor. 5:10)? Or would you stand before a Holy and Just God as one rejected at His Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15; Mt. 7:21-23)? As someone said, “Eternity’s too long to be wrong.” Jesus died that you might be freed from “the curse of the Law” (Gal. 3:10, 13). Your Appointment with God is assured. The question is “Are you ready to meet Him?”
September 29
