The verse in Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” This verse reveals an important biblical truth – that death is an inevitable and one-time appointment for all people. But what exactly does this verse mean when it says “it is appointed unto men once to die”? Let’s explore this topic in detail.
Death is Universal
Hebrews 9:27 makes it clear that death is a universal human experience – “it is appointed unto men once to die.” Every single person who has ever lived has or will eventually face death. There are no exceptions. As Hebrews 9:27 states, death is an appointment that applies to all of mankind. Regardless of one’s wealth, power, fame, abilities, or intelligence, no one can escape this reality. From the mightiest king to the poorest beggar, death comes to all.
As Romans 5:12 explains, death entered the world through the sin of Adam. When Adam disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden, sin and death spread to all of humanity. We are all under the curse of sin, and physical death is the consequence. While death is a “last enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26) and a tragic result of mankind’s fallen state, it is now an inescapable fact of human existence.
Death is Inevitable
In addition to being universal, death is presented in Hebrews 9:27 as being an inevitability – “it is appointed.” The word “appointed” here carries the meaning of something that is fixed, ordained, or predetermined. Just as we might set up an appointment with a doctor or schedule a meeting on our calendar, the Bible says we all have an unavoidable appointment with death.
Unless Christ returns first, every person is certain to keep this appointment. There are no excuses we can make or exceptions we can plead. Barring divine intervention, we will all inevitably die at our designated time. Even with advanced medicine and technology, human life remains fragile and finite. Ultimately, death cannot be escaped or outrun. As Ecclesiastes 8:8 says, “No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death…”
While the timing of each person’s death is unknown, death itself is inescapable. For this reason, Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that we must be prepared to meet God since death could come at any time. We dare not presume upon the future or put off spiritual matters. Our appointment with death will come sooner or later.
Death is Individual
Hebrews 9:27 also emphasizes the individual nature of death: “it is appointed unto men once to die.” While death is universal and inevitable, the circumstances surrounding each person’s death is unique. We do not die as nameless masses but as distinct individuals. Each person’s life, character, relationships, unfinished business, and readiness to meet God contributes to a personalized experience at death.
In one sense, no one can die on behalf of another. When our loved ones pass away, there is a profound sense that someone unique and irreplaceable is now missing from this earth. Even identical twins die individual deaths. And when our own appointment with death arrives, we must face it alone. No one can accompany us out of this life.
Yet in another sense, Christians do not die alone because Jesus has promised to be with His followers even at the point of death (Psalm 23:4). Nonetheless, death remains an individual and deeply personal event. Knowing this, Hebrews 9:27 calls us to prepare to meet God individually with our own life, choices, and readiness to enter eternity. No one else can answer for us.
Death is Once
Perhaps the clearest truth in Hebrews 9:27 is that we only die once: “it is appointed unto men once to die.” Barring extraordinary miraculous circumstances, humans only experience the transition between life and death one time. There are no second chances or opportunities to return.
A few people in Scripture did experience resurrection from death prior to their final demise, but these were isolated and unusual cases. Figures like Lazarus died twice (John 11:1-44), and some argue that Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11-12) were transported to heaven without tasting death. Even so, the norm both in Scripture and human history is for people to die once and then face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
This is a sobering reminder that we must live purposefully and redemptively in this present life. We cannot die and then decide to make corrections or pursue godliness afterward. As the old saying goes, life is not a dress rehearsal. We are each given one mortal life to live unto the Lord and run our spiritual race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1). The opportunity to repent, believe, and follow Jesus is now. After we die, our eternal state is fixed.
Knowing that we only die once should instill in us a sense of urgency regarding spiritual matters. We have but a vapor’s breath upon this earth (James 4:14), so we must be faithful stewards of our present lifespan. For as Hebrews 9:27 warns, judgment awaits just on the other side of death’s door.
Death Ushers us into Judgment
After stating the absolute certainty of death for all people, Hebrews 9:27 then adds “…but after this the judgment.” Death does not lead to a state of unconsciousness, soul sleep, or cessation of existence as some religions claim. Rather, death ushers every person directly into judgment before God.
Just as an earthly judge determines the final verdict on a court case, so God determines the eternal state and destiny of every person immediately after death. There is no opportunity for a second chance or any continuing appeals process. The judgment occurs right on the heels of one’s earthly life and appoints the soul to an eternal destination in either heaven or hell.
Several passages underscore that this judgment occurs at the instant of death:
– Luke 16:19-31 – The rich man lifted up his eyes in Hades immediately after death.
– 2 Corinthians 5:8 – To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
– Luke 23:39-43 – Jesus promised the repentant thief he would be with Him in Paradise that very day.
– Revelation 14:13 – The saints who die in the Lord are blessed as they immediately rest from their labors.
Therefore, while death itself is dreadful, Hebrews 9:27 provides the hopeful assurance that believers will be ushered directly into the Lord’s presence at the instant of death. Our spirit goes immediately to heaven. The resurrection of the body comes later at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
However, Scripture also warns repeatedly of the terrifying reality that unrepentant sinners enter immediately into judgment and suffering in hell (Luke 16:22-23). Hebrews 9:27 calls everyone to live in the fear of the Lord knowing we will face Him the moment we breathe our last breath. Are you ready?
Death is Determined by God
Since Hebrews 9:27 states that death is “appointed” unto men, we understand that our lifespan and time of death ultimately lies in God’s sovereign plan. Jesus said of believers: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:29). If God closely oversees sparrows, we can be certain that He also oversees the timing of our death.
Several Scriptures confirm it is God who determines and appoints the length of our life:
– Job 14:5 – “Man’s days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have set his limits so he cannot pass.”
– Psalm 139:16 – “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
– Acts 17:26 – “[God] has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.”
Of course, there are occasions where human choices cut lives short due to violence, accidents, substance abuse, or lack of preventative health care. Even so, God remains sovereign. Many biblical figures, including Moses, Abraham, David, and Job lived long lives, while others like Josiah and Absalom died relatively young due to their own reckless behaviors. Yet in every case, God had determined their appointed times.
Therefore, the precise timing of each person’s death is predestined by God. And when our time comes, we can trust Him knowing it is our divine appointment (2 Corinthians 5:1-9). For believers in Jesus, the sting of death has been removed since God causes all things – even our final breath – to work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Practical Applications
The truth that we must each keep an inescapable appointment with death ought to impact how we approach life in several practical ways:
1. It should motivate us to be ready to meet God since we will stand before Him immediately after death. We must make every moment count for eternity.
2. It should instill in us a holy fear of God, compelling us to live carefully and obediently. We will answer to Him directly after we die.
3. It should make us prioritize spiritual matters above all else. Possessions and accomplishments on earth will fade, but the state of our soul is forever.
4. It should remove any fear or undue obsession over the timing of our death, since God has predestined it already. We need only focus each day on following Christ.
5. It should offer comfort that our loved ones who have died are at rest with Jesus if they believed in Him. One day we will be reunited at the resurrection.
6. It should motivate us toward evangelism, knowing unbelievers face judgment rather than rest after death. We have good news to share with them!
7. It should encourage us that since Jesus died and rose again, He has defeated death and its power over us. It cannot separate us from God’s love.
The sobering truth of Hebrews 9:27 casts light on our mortality and frailty as humans. May it lead us all to wisely redeem our fleeting days on earth for the glory of Jesus Christ.