“He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 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 9:26-28).
Two significant one-time events are mentioned in this passage. Both deserve our careful consideration.
Christ’s sacrifice was one time (vv. 26, 28). At the end (i.e., the fulfillment and culmination) of the (Patriarchal and Mosaic) ages, Jesus was born of a virgin, born under the Law into our world. His name—meaning “Jehovah is salvation”—was purposefully chosen because it aptly described His mission (Matthew 1:21). So wise and knowledgeable was God in His planning, it would only take one sacrifice of the Lamb of God to provide the remedy for the sins of all humanity. Christ died once to bear the sins of all.
Humans die one time (v. 27). Reincarnation is false. Purgatory and other second-chance-after-you-die doctrines are lies. The same number of sacrifices Christ made for sin is the same number of times you will die before you face God’s judgment.
Whether you die lost or saved is your decision. You only have one lifetime to get it right.
