AFTER DEATH THEN THE JUDGMENT

Proclamation:

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”  Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the unknown human author of The Book of Hebrews under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter the author begins by discussing the early earthly tabernacle. (Hebrews 9:1-7)  Then he goes on to discuss the blood of Christ versus the blood of ceremonial animals. (Hebrews 9:11-14)  Then he presents the importance of the blood and concludes by stating that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22)  He ends the chapter stating that Christ did not offer Himself again and again as the high priest did by entering The Holy of Holies in the tabernacle each year. (Hebrews 9:25)  Christ came to earth once to sacrifice Himself for all sin. (Hebrews 9:26)  He will come again, but that time will not be to sacrifice Himself for sin, it will be to gather the believers unto Himself. (Hebrews 9:28)

Application:

As we think about the birth of Christ, we need to remember that He came to earth to redeem us and pay the price for our sins.  The price for sin is death. (Roman 6:23)  Jesus, The Christ, shed His blood and died for our sins. (John 1:29 and 19:30-34)  The next time that He comes it will be to gather His believers and we will meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  He will also come back again to bring judgment to non-believers.  Bible scholar J. Vernon McGee put it this way, “either your sin is on you, or it is on Christ.”  If you have not accepted Christ as your personal savior then you must pay the price for your sins and you will see Him after death as judge at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:11-15)  Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)