“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)

Most people seem to believe that they will live forever. Many try to stop their aging process, which is but a reminder that death is inevitable, with cosmetic or facial surgery and other anti-aging methods. There is a day approaching when all will meet their appointment with death. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a tells us that there is a season to everything, “A time to be born, and a time to die…” Ecclesiastes  also tells us we can rush our appointment with death by living foolishly (Ecclesiastes 7:17).

We are constantly making plans for ourselves as if tomorrow is promised unto us. James 4:14 tells us, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” We should not boast of tomorrow, for we know not “what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). What we should say is, “If the Lord wills,” we shall live, and do this or that.

Now, not only is dying inevitable, but what is even more serious than facing death is facing Judgment. How will you stand before a Holy God at “Your day” of Judgment? There is a Judgment called “The Great White Throne Judgment” where the dead, small and great, will stand before God. At this judgment, two books will be opened; one being a book which contains a record of all you have done in your life. If, in the end, your name is not written in the Book of Life, you will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). What a detriment! What an atrocity!

But thanks be to God, it doesn’t have to be this way. Jesus has already paid the price for us at Mount Calvary (Isaiah 53:4-12). “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” (John 3:16). (Compare with Romans 5:8.)  Jesus was our propitiation, or appeasement, to God. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, and we (mankind) owed a debt we could not pay. (See 1 John 2:2.)

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour; today, while you are on this side of heaven, is the time (Hebrews 2:1-3). We have a hope and Jesus Christ is that Hope – our only Hope. Ask Jesus to come into your life and let Him fill your heart with a joy and peace this world could never give. Romans 10:9-10 is the start to a successful life now and for all eternity.

What will be your verdict at The Judgment after death? Will it be, “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)? Or will it be, “… depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23)?