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

Death is defined as “the cessation of life.” When the bodily organs and their functions cease; then the body dies because there is no life in the body. When the heart organ ceases to pump blood through the lungs and the body, the body ceases to function.

Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood…” The blood is the carrier of food and oxygen to the cells of the body. When the carrier system breaks down, then death occurs in the body.

Hebrews 9:27a has been regarded by students of the Bible as the proof text to reveal that, from the beginning, God had appointed, or ordained, the life of man to have an end of physical life; or a cessation of the body. The body would return to the dust from which Adam was created.

However, the “b” part of the text verse reveals that there is life after the death of the body; for after death, is “the judgment.” Many teach and believe that after the death of the body, this is the end; that there is no life after death. But the Bible is very plain that there is life after death. (See 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.) This will be discussed and examined later on in this series on death.

This devotion’s primary focus is to bring to the reader’s attention the following facts about physical death:

1)    The body wherein your spirit lives is not immortal. This is proven by Hebrews 9:27a. When sin entered into God’s creation, the root of corruption and even physical death was implanted in that which had life, human life. Sin’s work is labeled, as sin steals, kills, and destroys. The fact is, what has received physical life from God will die in this physical life. No creature is immortal in his flesh.

2)    God ordained the number of days for each individual to live in his own body on earth. This fact is proven by Job 14:5:

“Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;”

Psalm 90:10 even maps out the normal life span of man; some live longer, some live less; but all that are born will die.

3)    Death is an open door to the next life, a life that lasts forever in a spiritual realm. The Apostle Paul relates this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, where he explains that at death, God’s people receive another “tabernacle” to house their spirit. All saved and unsaved will experience eternity, however in different locations. Those saved will spend eternity in Christ’s presence; and those who die unsaved will not be in Christ’s presence. Christ is Light; but if you are not “in Christ,” then you are in darkness and total separation from God. (See Ezekiel 33:11 and Psalm 116:15.)

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalms 116:15)

4)    Physical death brings the spirit to Judgment before God, “…but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27b). (Also see 2 Corinthians 5:10.) As to the when, or the exact moment, of this judgment is not the target here. The target is that you will face God. Paul calls it “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10b) for the saved. And John calls it the “great white throne” Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) for the unsaved; or as John said:

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

At both Judgments, “works” will be judged. Not for salvation, but for testimony’s sake.

The end results are 180 degree different. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, see Matthew 25:21:

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

At the Great White Throne Judgment, see Revelation 20:13-15:

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” (Revelation 20:13)

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14)

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

In conclusion – first, death is a fact of life; life will cease on the appointed day. Second, death is a door to eternal life; either in the Light with Christ, or in the darkness separated from Christ. And thirdly, death will bring you to a judgment. Fourth and finally, there is no return from death. There is no way around physical death. Adam died and all other men have died except Enoch and Elijah. But all others have gone the way of the earth, and died and were buried; dust turned to dust, and ashes to ashes. There is no escape from death.

Be ready, for Christ said to the rich man:

“… this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be…?” (Luke 12:20b)

Christ said to him, “Thou fool.” Why would Christ call this man a fool?

The futile efforts of men to ignore that physical death will happen to all, is the height of foolishness. This deception has led men to focus on the wealth and fame of this world; things that will not last.