The Appointment

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.
Hebrews 9:27-28

​Everyone born of women, will face a set appointment. That appointment date is unique, and the day and hour is known only to God-but it comes for everyone. No one escapes it. The day of our death. 
There's important facts concerning this appointment. This short devotion will break down this verse, and bring these points to the surface.

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Just as that is obvious, so it is plain that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. For the writer to the Hebrews, the truth that it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment is an indisputable principle.
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We do not die and live and die and live and some number of lives down the road face an eternal reckoning. This life is it, and then we face judgment. This means that there are no second chances beyond the grave. Now is the time to choose for Jesus Christ, because when we die, it is simply after this the judgment.

The fixed order for all men is to die once only, and to be judged after death. When they die, finality is stamped, on their life work.

There has set in of late a strange foolhardiness, as if in the present age it were an agreed point among all people of discernment that judgment to come is an idle tale. Very seductive this must be to the young. Even if there be a judgment after death, death to them seems a long way off; and society does a very good job of giving them every entertainment, and pleasure, so they regard death as a very long way off, and nothing serious to deal with. Many a young person has died, and found themselves in hell, and the devil laughs at those in the world who do his work of brainwashing for him.

There is no undoing the past altogether. When the books are opened, we shall be judged out of the things which are written in the books, notwithstanding the book of life. The days of swine-keeping leave their mark. There is no fear of his being judged unjustly. He will appear in the form of what he is. The dominant affections that are in him will manifest themselves whether we are made out of heaven, for heaven; or made out of the elements of, for the world of sulfur and smoke and its dusky associates. We shall have to keep the appointment that is made for us. All the laws without us and all the laws within us will urge us on to our own place. The works of the flesh he reveled in while on earth, will be exposed to the Light-and seen for what they are, and judged accordingly. Where he/she is sent in the compartments of hell-will be according to their own deeds-they will be without excuse.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 
Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Heathenism is not simply a misfortune in the world the vast majority of men are ensnared by. It is a crime—a huge, next to world-wide, age-long crime, with its roots in a deep hatred of God, and bearing a prolific crop of utterly inexcusable and hideous vices. 

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

In luke chapter 16:19-31 Jesus tells a story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. The rich man died and was sent to hell, the beggar Lazarus was carried to heaven. At the end of the discourse the rich man begs for someone to go to his family and warn them, that they wouldn't end up in that place of torment, where he was. The answer he was given was chilling.

Luk 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

This is the way the vast majority of people are today-and it's very sad to watch them go on with their lives, never believing they'll ever face what the rich man was warning. They think it will never happen, until the day of their appointment comes, and it's too late.

​In contrast, by the mercy and power of the grace of Christ, we see as an example of His inner working; the woman of the city, to whom much was forgiven, loved much. Luke 7:44-48
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Luk 7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 
Luk 7:45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 
Luk 7:46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 
Luk 7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 
Luk 7:48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 
The entire story should be read from Luke 7:36-50

In the story of this woman, we see the redemptive power of Jesus to forgive and restore anyone, no matter the sin. This woman, a great sinner, shows that she is forgiven by her great love. Her faith in Jesus led her to trust for forgiveness.

Her faith brought her to the feet of Christ, a contrite and weeping sinner.
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Those who come to Christ with this faith and humility-find forgiveness, and peace. At the day of their appointment with death- they will go out of this world as David describes in Palm 37:
Psa 37:37  Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 

For the believer, Christ stands as our advocate. He appears in heaven for us who believe and belong to Him, as our Intercessor and Mediator, presenting our prayers mingled with the rich incense of His merit, and acting as the ground of our beseechings, Rev_8:3. 

He will appear the second time.
All the saints who desire his appearing; to them he shall appear a second time, at his second advent, sinless and the mighty Savior. He becomes a sin offering but once, and appears the second time without a sin offering, because he hath done the work once and forever.

Death opens a new door, and we pass from behind our curtains and disguises into the great sunlight. God is the eternal sunlight. God is truth. If, with the unveiled face of our heart, we form the habit of beholding His face in Jesus, the glory of His face will change us into the same image, and our glorious Lord will be glorified in us.
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Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 
Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 
Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

To those who read this-it's my prayer it will be taken as a solemn reminder, and warning. Consider your appointment, and take stock of your life, now, while you are still here. Be honest with yourself, and with God. No one is guaranteed tomorrow-this may be the day of your appointment.

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That is why Jesus came, He's standing waiting for you to simply come to Him as you are, admit you are a sinner, and receive His forgiveness. Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time to make a turn, an eternal change in your life-from darkness to light-the Light of the Son of God.
Lorna Couillard

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.