📖 Passage

Read Hebrews 9 (NKJV)

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” — Hebrews 9:27

🧠 Context & Background

Every person will face death. The Bible teaches: - Death is the separation of body and soul. - Immediately after death, each soul enters either blessing or judgment. - The final resurrection and judgment will occur when Christ returns.

This is not reincarnation or soul-sleep. Our eternal state is fixed at death.

🌿 Key Themes

• Physical death is a result of the Fall (Genesis 3).
• Immediate judgment follows death.
• Believers go to be with Christ, while unbelievers face conscious punishment.
• At the return of Christ, all will be resurrected to receive their eternal bodies.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Hebrews 9:27 – Appointed to Die Once

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,”

• Finality of death: This verse affirms that death is a one-time event, opposing any belief in reincarnation.
• Certainty of judgment: Every person will stand before God for judgment after death, establishing eternal accountability (cf. Romans 14:10–12).

Luke 16:22–23 – The Rich Man and Lazarus

“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side... the rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades...”

• Immediate conscious experience: Jesus describes conscious existence after death—comfort for the believer, torment for the unbeliever.
• Moral reversal: Earthly wealth and status do not reflect one's eternal condition.

2 Corinthians 5:8 – At Home with the Lord

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

• Presence with Christ: Paul affirms that believers who die are immediately with Christ (cf. Philippians 1:23).
• Intermediate state: Though awaiting resurrection, believers enjoy fellowship with Christ after death.

Philippians 1:23 – Departing to Be with Christ

“My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”

• Death as gain: For the believer, death brings a more intimate communion with Christ.
• Eager anticipation: Paul longs for this eternal reward, underscoring the hope believers share.

John 5:28–29 – The Resurrection of Life

“...all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life...”

• Bodily resurrection: Christ promises future resurrection—eternal life or judgment depending on one’s faith.
• Judgment tied to deeds: Works reflect true faith (cf. James 2:14–17).

Revelation 20:11–15 – The Great White Throne

“Then I saw a great white throne... and the dead were judged by what was written in the books...”

• Final judgment: All are judged before God based on their deeds and whether their names are in the Book of Life.
• Lake of fire: This is the second death—eternal separation from God for the unredeemed.

Genesis 3:19 – Dust to Dust

“...for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

• Physical consequence of sin: Death entered the world through sin (cf. Romans 5:12).
• Mortality as curse: Humanity’s physical death is a reminder of the Fall’s effects.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 – The Spirit Returns to God

“...and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

• Separation of body and soul: At death, the body decays and the spirit returns to God for judgment.
• Divine ownership: Life is a gift entrusted by God, and we return to Him.

Daniel 12:2 – Everlasting Life or Contempt

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life...”

• Resurrection hope: Both righteous and wicked will rise—eternal life or contempt.
• Old Testament clarity: This affirms the doctrine of resurrection long before the New Testament.

Revelation 21:4 – No More Death

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more...”

• Eternal comfort: The new creation will be free from suffering, pain, and death.
• Hope fulfilled: God will dwell with His people in eternal peace.

Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more...”

• Eternal comfort: The new creation will be free from suffering, pain, and death.
• Hope fulfilled: God will dwell with His people in eternal peace.

🧩 Review Questions

1. What happens to a person’s soul at death?
2. Is there a second chance after death to be saved?
3. Why does the resurrection matter for final judgment?

🔍 Definitions

• Judgment – God’s righteous evaluation of every person’s life, leading to either eternal reward or punishment (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:12).
• Hades – The temporary place of the dead; in the New Testament, often used to describe the state of the wicked before final judgment (Luke 16:23).
• Abraham’s Side – A figurative term for the place of comfort and blessing where the faithful go after death (Luke 16:22).
• Intermediate State – The conscious existence of the soul between physical death and bodily resurrection, either in God’s presence or under judgment (2 Corinthians 5:8).
• Resurrection – The future act of God raising all people bodily from the dead, some to eternal life and others to eternal judgment (John 5:29; Daniel 12:2).
• Book of Life – A symbolic record of all those who belong to Christ and are saved from eternal condemnation (Revelation 20:12,15).
• Second Death – Eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, the final judgment for the unbelieving (Revelation 20:14).
• Mortality – The human condition of being subject to death as a result of sin (Genesis 3:19).
• Contempt – Everlasting shame and separation from God for the unrighteous in the resurrection (Daniel 12:2).
• New Creation – The future eternal reality where God dwells with His people, with no more death or sorrow (Revelation 21:4)

🙋 Application Questions

1. Are you living in light of eternity?
2. How does this doctrine give hope and urgency?
3. How should believers comfort others who face death?

🔤 Greek Keywords (with Simple Explanations)

• Krino (κρίνω) – "To judge" Appears in Hebrews 9:27 and John 5:29. Refers to God's sovereign act of rendering a verdict — either life or condemnation. Central to divine justice.
• Anastasis (ἀνάστασις) – "Resurrection" Found in John 5:29 and Daniel 12 (LXX equivalent). Indicates the bodily rising of the dead — both the righteous and unrighteous.
• Hades (ᾅδης) – "The place of the dead" Used in Luke 16:23. Refers to the unseen realm where the souls of the dead reside temporarily before final judgment. Often contrasted with “Gehenna” (the eternal lake of fire).
• Kolasis (κόλασις) – "Punishment, correction" Though not directly in your listed verses, it’s related to judgment scenes (cf. Matthew 25:46, doctrinally tied to Revelation 20:15). It refers to divine retributive justice — eternal punishment for the wicked.
• Biblion (βιβλίον) – "Book or scroll" Seen in Revelation 20:12. Refers to the “books” opened in judgment and especially the Book of Life, symbolizing God's record of the redeemed.
• Thanatos (θάνατος) – "Death" Appears in Revelation 20:14 — "death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire." It represents both physical and spiritual death.

📚 Cross References

• Genesis 3:19 – “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
• Ecclesiastes 12:7 – The body returns to the earth, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
• Daniel 12:2 – “Many… shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
• John 5:28–29 – “All who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out…”
• Luke 16:22–23 – The rich man in Hades; conscious existence after death.
• Hebrews 9:27 – “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “Away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
• Philippians 1:23 – Paul’s desire “to depart and be with Christ.”
• Revelation 20:12–15 – The dead judged, and those not in the Book of Life cast into the lake of fire.
• Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more.”

📦 Next Study

Why Would a Loving God Send People to Hell?