A Better Sacrifice
Hebrews 9:16-28
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. [Heb 9:27-28]
I’ve oftentimes used this verse to support the interpretation that there are no second chances after death. This verse makes it very clear: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” That means you must make a decision for Christ while you are living.
Now as you comb through Scripture, you will find that there are two types of judgment; one for believers [i.e., the Bema Seat judgment described in 1 Cor 3:12-15], and one for non-believers [i.e., the Great White Throne judgment described in Rev 20:11-15]. The former is a judgment accounting of believers for what they did [and did not do] in this life of faith. At the Bema Seat believers will receive their rewards [“crowns”]. However, the latter is a judgment of condemnation, when non-believers will receive an eternal body to be separated from God forever in the “lake of fire.” [Rev 20:15]
Which judgment does Heb 9:27 refer? Well, I believe both, depending on whether you are a believer or non-believer. The point is chronology; that there is a judgment after this life. The emphasis is that we have this life to make our decision, whether we believe on the name of Jesus or not. There is no second chance after this life. This is very important to note. It is clearly stated, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” Which judgment will you participate in?
But it is also interesting to read the latter half of v.28, “…so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.” You see, the dying once in the first part is used to support the real point of the Hebrews 9 passage; that Christ, a superior sacrifice, was offered once to bear the sins of many.
This is yet another “better” in Christ value. Jesus is a better sacrifice. He bore the sins of many on the Cross of Calvary and it was a one-time eternal work. We [believers in Christ] have been dealt bountifully a salvation through the one-time superior sacrifice of Jesus.
