Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
No matter how long someone may extend life – it will sooner or later end in death. Some scientists claim that life can be extended – but no one alive can ever escape death.
Death came, the Bible tells us, because of sin. Before the Fall in the Garden, death was an unnatural thing. At first, humans did not know death. That was God’s initial plan. But when sin came, death followed because of the curse. Paul, being guided by the Holy Spirit, declared in Romans 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
The Bible also tells us in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” The verse is not speaking of physical death, but of eternal death – in Hell.
While very few people like to talk about death – everyone needs to be prepared for it. Physical death is not the end of existence – as some suppose. Everyone will face God’s judgment after they die. The sins will be revealed, and it will all be punished eternally.
Because no one knows when he or she will die, it only makes sense to prepare for it in advance. We can be sure that “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
The Lord Jesus proved that He had power over death by dying and then rising from the dead – as He promised that He would. His death and resurrection also proved that there is life beyond the grave.
Jesus also said that He would die for the sins of those that believe on Him. When the Bible talks about believing in Christ, it means two things: repent (turn from sin) and ask God to forgive and save you. No one is prepared for death until they have done this.
Being saved is a one-time event. You only need to ask Him to save you once – believing that He will do so when you ask. You see, those people that He forgives – He also gives them eternal life at the same time. “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:26). By this, He meant that they would never see Hell.
It also needs to be said that some believers are not ready for death. They live for the world but do not have any treasure where they hope to live forever. God warns us as His children that believers must “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). They have become complacent as a Christian and are not living for God. What an embarrassment and shame they will face when they also stand before God and He asks what returns He had on the talents He gave them!
Are you really ready for your appointment with death? It will come! Unbeliever – call on Christ to save you today! Worldly Christian – repent and start living the way God desires! He is faithful to forgive and cleanse (I John 1:9).