Covid has shown the whole world the reality and certainty of death for everyone. In the West especially, we have so much medicine that many people try and delay death, but we cannot. It is a result of the fall of man that we looked at a few months ago (Gen 2:17) and, as it says in today’s verse: “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement” (Hebrews 9:27).
This is God’s word. So, there is no such thing as reincarnation. Also, death is not the end: there is judgement for every single person.
The only way to be ready for that judgement is through Jesus Christ. Verse 28 tells us: “so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”
The final judgement is for our sin but Jesus offered Himself for our sins. He died in the place of sinners.
He offered Himself once. His sacrifice in our place was sufficient for all our sins. We don’t need to have Mass like the Roman Catholics or prayers for the dead. Christ died once. It is finished; our salvation is secure.
The sacrifice was to bear the sins of many. The NIV says “to take away the sins of many.” For us sin is a great burden that it is impossible to carry but, on the cross, Jesus carried our sins away. They are gone forever. When He comes again, He will not bring our sins with Him (“He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (NKJV)). Sin is removed as far as the east is from the west.
So, every true believer can look forward to the day that we go to be with Him, and to the day that He returns. We can look forward without fear because our sins are gone – forever.
The best is yet to come 