Hebrews 9:27-28 – “Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation…” (NASB)

 

These two verses speak about the most important subject anybody on planet earth will ever consider.  The author of Hebrews says clearly that every person is going to die, except that generation of Christians who are alive when Jesus comes back for His Church (1 Corinthians 15:51).  After death, we will face the judgment of God.  But, the good news is that Christ came the first time to pay for the penalty of our sins on the cross and when He comes back the second time, He will complete our salvation by giving us the final victory over death.

 

The Word of God speaks openly and honestly about the reality of death.  It gives us six biblical facts we need to know.

 

1.      Death is the consequence of sin coming into the world (Romans 5:12).  This refers to both spiritual and physical death.

2.      Death is a reminder of the brevity of life (James 4:14).  James compares our earthy life to a vapor you see and then it is suddenly gone.

3.      Death does not distinguish between ages (Luke 8 – a girl, twelve years old; John 11 –Lazarus, a middle age man).

4.      When a person dies, that person does not cease to exist (Luke 16:22-23).  This is the common argument of most atheists.

5.      Death brings each person to one of two destinations – eternal punishment or eternal life (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46).

6.      Death is certain, but it can be conquered.  Hebrews 9:27-28 is not a negative message.  It is a message of hope.