Once to Die and Once to Live

May 2 2025 - Eric Buresh

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:27–28 (NKJV) 

Is this a haunting passage for you? It is appointed. Mark that word. Not by chance. Not by accident. It is appointed for men once to die. No one escapes it. No science delays it. No strength outruns it. The king on his throne, the beggar on the street, the infant in the cradle—all are subject to this solemn decree. And not only death, but judgment. A twofold appointment: once to die, then to be judged. 

And this would be haunting indeed if the passage ended there. If all we had was verse 27, then fear should rule every heart, and trembling should accompany every breath. But praise be to the living God—the first phrase is not the end of the story. 

So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. 

Oh, the purposeful power of this “so”! As certain as our death and judgment is the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Just as death comes once, Christ died once. Just as judgment is inevitable, so His atonement is irrevocable. Christ did not die repeatedly, for sin was dealt with in one perfect act of love. He was not offered continually, for His one offering was enough to satisfy the justice of God for all who believe. 

Do you still fear death? Then look again to the cross. See your Savior hanging there—not as a victim, but as a victor. He bore your sins—all of them. Not a trace was left. Not a charge remains. The judgment that should have fallen on you, fell on Him. The sword of divine justice was plunged into the Lamb of God, and now it is sheathed forever for those in Christ. 

Yes, you will die. But it is no longer a curse—it is a passage. Death has been declawed. The grave is now a garden gate to glory. For you, believer, judgment is no longer condemnation, but confirmation—that you are clothed in the righteousness of Another. 

Do not miss this: “To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” The first time He came to remove sin; the second time He comes to remove you—from sorrow, from pain, from every consequence of our fall. He is not coming to deal with your past. He already did that. He is coming to fully restore. 

So fear not, fellow pilgrim. Death is our appointment with fulness of life. Judgment is our entrance into perfected joy. Christ has gone before us, and He will come again for us. Let your heart be glad. You die once—but you live forever.