"It Is Appointed for Men to Die Once"

Hebrews 9:27 makes the solemn, and factual, pronouncement in the title of this post.  An appointment with death awaits everyone; it cannot be escaped, short of interruption by the 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus.  And "after this [death] the judgment."  That can't be avoided, either.  The wise will prepare for the inevitable.

Jesus spent His entire teaching ministry trying to persuade men that, while life on earth is important, the true priority is to prepare for what happens after this earthly life ends.  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Mt. 6:19-20).  But how many people truly have fixed their priorities where they ought to be?

"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved" (Jer. 8:20).