The Holy Bible is filled with mysteries and I don’t think any single individual can outgrow the Bible. We just keep on learning. It is a book that should not always be taken literally as it is most times written in symbols.

It is written in Hebrews 9:27 KJV, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”

After careful observation of the verse, I can conclude that it has both the literal and figurative meaning.

The literal meaning is this. You will observe that it was written that “it is appointed unto men” and not it is appointed unto “all” men. Do not conclude that the Bible is referring to “all men” in this verse. If it was referring to all men, it would have been specified like Romans 5:12 talked about death passing to “all men” by the sin of Adam.

If it is appointed unto all men once to die then what about Enoch and Elijah who where translated to heaven without tasting death (Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:1). How about those who will be raptured before the great tribulation into heaven without tasting death (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

If it is appointed unto all men once to die then how about Lazarus who died twice. He died the first time and was raised back to life by our Lord Jesus Christ (John 11:43) and certainly died again at some certain point in time in his life and was buried. Same thing applicable to others in the Bible who died and were brought back to life.

The judgement there in the literal sense is referring to that judgement every man will face after the physical death. It could be immediately after death or the great white throne judgement when everyone will stand in front of the judgment seat of Christ and will be rewarded according to their work whether good or evil (Revelation 20:12).

The figurative sense could be referring to those who have given their lives to Christ. If you study the context from which it was used, it will be observed that it is from the context of the redemption through the blood of Christ on the cross. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that those who put their faith in Christ died with Him on the cross (Romans 6:8 ) and for this reason apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”. That is since he had come to faith in Christ, he became crucified with Christ on the cross (he died with him). Similar thing applies to other believers who have come to faith in Christ; they are dead with him. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3.)

So sad when people read the Bible like a normal literature. the book if full of figurative expressions and dark saying. weldone brother.

nellyelitz:
So sad when people read the Bible like a normal literature. the book if full of figurative expressions and dark saying. weldone brother.

thank you