The Appointment

By: Reverend Robert E. Daley, Jr.

Death. The enemy of God and man; and the last to be destroyed before the beginning of the age of ages. That which entered into the world by sin. The veil through which men and women pass from this natural world into the world of the spirit. That which so frightens men of power, prestige or poverty that for those who will fulfill (1 Corinthians 15:51-55); the scripture declares that all human beings, from the time of Adam through the physical return of Jesus Christ, destined to rule with Him forever, have an appointment with death. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27).

Over and over again this one scripture has been used by Christians when witnessing to the unsaved, particularly those who through Eastern mysticism influence have considered the idea of reincarnation. The thought is attractive, isn’t it? To live a life on this earth and when the allotted time is ended to be weighed on the cosmos scales of good and evil, and then to be given another shot at it. The idea being that any thinking person would want to better themselves the second or third or tenth time around. That is easier to handle than to think I have only one chance, and based upon my free will decisions, to be locked into that decision for all eternity. Any yet, let God be rue but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

True, this one scripture is used to declare that men only die physically once; and that after that death their judgment awaits them. And that is accurate. But I believe we have, for so long, overlooked the real depth and truth contained in that priceless verse. The key word is ‘appointed.’ And on the surface that appointment is relegated to all men. But in the Divine Godhead master plan that appointment is designed for only one man. He who is God, and took Himself flesh, that He might be made like unto His brethren in every respect: Jesus the God/Man. It was he for whom the appointment was made. As a man He walked on this earth. As man He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain and was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. As man He suffered a contradiction of sinners against Himself: a man of truth in a world of liars; a man of love in a world of hatred; a man of giving in a world of selfishness; a shining light in a totality of darkness. And it was as man that He kept that appointment. The creator of all creatures, standing in the stead of those creatures, keeping an appointment with death. He who is immortal stepped into the eternal; as the substitute for all He took upon Himself sin and became mortal that this important appointment should be kept. Having then been faithful, He received the just recompense…the judgment for all. The total weight of sin was laid on Him. Eternal sin, everlasting sin…the full wage.

And has it not been first declared by God’s Word, and then had not an appointment been set – and kept, by Him who loves us; we might well have been destined to endure temptation, sin, and death…over and over and over again. Think about it!

Learn more about Reverend Daley and his ministry "By The Book" Ministries

Article Source: http://www.articles.narrowisthepath.com

Gifted by God to be able to explain biblical truths in his “Must Read” articles, books, eBooks, and Bible studies; Reverend Daley eliminates the religious arguments and confusion by rightly dividing the Word of God. With simple understanding, you will receive true revelation that is not commonly taught at the church pulpit. Reverend Daley was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit in 1978 and has been instructed by the greatest teacher of all - the Spirit of Truth Himself. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and pastors Central Christian Church in downtown Hilo, Hawaii. To learn more about Reverend Robert E. Daley, Jr. please visit his website at www.bythebookministries.org.

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