“Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained” (Acts 17:31).

Have you ever had fixed upon the calendar an appointment that you dreaded? Although there was no way out of it, you were so intimidated that you could hardly bear to think about it. Perhaps it was an appointment for surgery, a tough visit to the dentist, a public presentation, or an embarrassing confession to make. Despite your placing the grim thought far away from your mind, the appointed day came on schedule, and you faced the “moment of truth.”

The Bible describes just such an appointment. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Death is a thought that most people put far away from their minds, often preparing more for the possibility of a tax audit than for the sure fact of their imminent passing. It does not help to put it out of the mind. Death is the surest fact of life and no human contrivance can avoid the appointment with the death angels!

The Scriptures caution that the believer will face challenges in this life. “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto” (I Thessalonians 3:3). However, the death appointment holds no fear for the Christian. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:9). Nevertheless, the day of death still holds a “moment of truth.” Have we lived our lives unto ourselves or in a way pleasing the Lord? To be ready for our appointment, we must “abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (I John 2:28). DW