A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"And Then..."

We were riding along in the car as the driver shared the tragic story of his youngest son death. After telling me the details of how the accident took his son's life he calmly quoted from Hebrews 9:27, "It is appointed unto man once to die." He continued, "it was my son's time and I just have to accept God's will in this." That was neither the first or last time I have heard this verse used in such a manner. The problem is, this is not what the verse says.

As comforting as this fatalistic interpretation may be, it is not what the verse is about. There is no denying that ever person has a destiny with death (the NIV uses the word "destined"). Yet, this verse is not implying that the time, place, and event for each person's death is locked into place. The writer is simply stating the obvious truth that unless Jesus returns or God decides to have another Enoc, every person will pass through death. It is second portion of this verse that is the crucial part - "and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." The King James and Revised Standard Versions of the Bible have "and then," rather that "and after that." Do you see it - "AND THEN!"

In our culture death is either a foe to overcome or a welcomed escape from life's pain and suffering. Some are preoccupied with it and others fear it. Still others see it as a mystery to be studied and deciphered. Best selling books are record the accounts of people who have been brought back after being declared clinically dead, as an effort to uncover just what happens after. But death is not a mystery to uncover, a foe to be conquered, or a friend to be welcomed. Death is a door - "And then..." Without reading any further these two words declare hat death is not the end. There is more. "And then" reverberates the profound truth that death is but a door where we pass through to something more. "And then" does not let us stop with death. It forces us to continue reading to find out what comes after.

"And then the judgment." These words either bring a cold chill or a hallelujah! The fact is that after death each of us will stand before the Throne of God which at this time is a Throne of Judgment rather than a Throne of Grace. Each of us will give an account. Judgment cannot be bypassed. But we need not fear. Though each of us is destined to die and then face the judgment, Christ came and died for our sin so that our judgment can be "Righteous in Christ!" The cold chill of fear is for those who are not in Christ. That is why later in Hebrews we are told that "it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of a living God." It is dreadful only for those who remain in their sin. We who are in Christ - we who have been saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8) - shout Hallelujah, because we know that the "and then" of this verse leads to the glorious reality of eternal life with Christ.

This verse joins with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ proclaiming, Death does not have the final word; there is more than this earthly existence - there is the 'and then!' " Let us be found in Christ so that we are prepared for the "and then."

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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