Hebrews 9:27 — And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
Everyone has an appointment with death, and everyone has an appointment to meet God in judgment. Everyone is given an allotted time, and all of us are under constant observation to see how we use that time and the opportunities within it.
Proverbs 15:3 — The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Everyone is assigned a purpose in God’s plan, and that purpose is being measured — under serious inspection. It is appointed unto everyone to die, and when it is time to die, no one is able to postpone their death.
The first appointment
A person can refrain from doing almost anything. But no one can refrain from keeping the first appointment, which is with death.
The second appointment
After death there is a second appointment, and it is inevitable.
2 Corinthians 5:10 — For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
There is no way to escape this second appointment.
Therefore, prepare
Because neither appointment can be avoided, Scripture gives the only sensible response:
Amos 4:12 — Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
Prepare spiritually. Prepare scripturally. Prepare earnestly. And prepare immediately.
Consider these two very important appointments, and act appropriately — because there is no way of avoiding them.
If this has raised a question you would like to talk through, the team reads every message: ask a Bible question, or send a prayer request. To study the judgment-hour message in full, begin with the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6.