life.
Scripture: (King James Version)
Hebrews 9: 27-28
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
Notice these three words...."It is appointed."
In the great plan and purpose of God there is nothing that happens by chance. There is nothing that happens by accident. It is appointed! Our God had things figured out before the foundation of the world and His plans will be carried out right on schedule from now throughout eternity.
Within these two verses I have used as my text, there are a number of "appointments" that I want to briefly note.
#1 - First of all, It is appointed unto men once to die. The human race in general is a dying race. There are those of you today who may be in your eighties, seventies, sixties, fifties, or many years younger. But - every one of us are dying. As far as physical death is concerned, "the outward man perisheth." (2 Corinthians 4:16) But, beyond the physical death there is another death called "the second death." However, I am so thankful that we can escape this second death by being "born again"- asking Jesus Christ into our hearts with forgiveness of sins. If you are born only once, you'll die twice. But, if you are born twice, you will die only once. Jesus said, "You must be born again!" (St. John 3: 1-21)
Death simply means separation. In physical death the spirit simply separates from the body. In spiritual death (the second death) a persons spirit is separated from God's spirit for all eternity. A spiritual death is indeed far worse than a physical death.
#2 - Second, it is appointed that men face judgment. After death comes the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
Court room scenes hold quite an attraction for many people; the dignity of the judge, the solemn proceedings, the keen interest in the witnesses, the suspense of the jury's deliberations, etc. Why all the interest? Judgment is about to be rendered. The die is cast. The issue is about to be settled. So friends, that's how it will be at the final judgment. You will be the defendant. Your life will be on trial. Your eternal destiny will be the issue. To those individuals who have not been "born again" and asked Jesus Christ into their lives, the verdict will be......eternal separation from God. "It is appointed!"
It is appointed unto men once to die.
It is appointed unto men to face the judgment.
#3 - It was by appointment that Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. (verse 28) We talk of His horrible death and His terrible suffering....But - it was appointed!"
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life."
God appointed death.
God appointed judgment.
God appointed death on The Cross.
God made it possible for man to escape the second death. Aren't you thankful? Because of The Cross, this is where the second birth takes place. You are "born again" at the foot of The Cross. When you are "born again" you are accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and give allegiance to Him.
#4 - Finally, it is appointed that Christ who was once offered for the sins of many.....
He will come again!
We all know that there are skeptics, scoffers and people who simply do not believe this will happen. But, the Bible is very clear that this miraculous event will occur. These unbelievers mock and say, "where is His coming?" You and I have heard these comments all of our lives. Let me warn you....
Just as sure as death.......
Just as sure as judgment.....
Just as sure as Jesus died on the cross for our sins.....
He is coming again!
The very last words of our Lord in the Bible are recorded in Revelation 22:20 when He says, ".....surely I come quickly....." "It is appointed!"
One final thought about God's appointments..... You are not reading this by accident or by chance. It is not a coincidence. You are doing so by God's appointment.
Are you prepared for death?
Are you prepared for judgment?
Are you prepared for Christ second coming?
On the basis of your relationship with God this very moment - what would your eternal appointment be?
If the death angel should call on you this moment, where would you spend eternity?
Please give these questions some serious consideration.
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