There are five appointments in the life of a human that EVERYONE faces; four of these are required:
1. Birth (see Ecclesiastes 12:7) Our spirit, soul, and mind is created/given to us by God.
2. Death (physical death) (see Hebrews 9:27; Romans 5:12) All men die: only two are recorded in history as having bypassed death and gone to God's presence (Enoch and Elijah), if we understand Scripture right.
3. The Resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 5:12 and 19; Acts 24:15; Revelation 1:7; John 5:28-29; John 6:54; and 2 Timothy 2:18) This resurrection is yet to come, and should not be confused with those who were brought back to life such as Lazarus, Dorcas, or the others recorded in Scripture, except for the Christ Himself, who is the "First Born" (Colossians 1:18).
4. The Judgment (see Acts 17:31; Matthew 13:40-43; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 20:12-13) Judgment will be according to our works (John 12:48; Matthiew 7:22-23: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8); Mark 13:31-33; 2 Peter 3:10-13; 2 Thessalonians 5:2). Mercy will be given us, however, for without His mercy our failure to be perfect condemns us (Titus 3:5; Hebrews 4:16, Romans 9:15-18). The time of that judgment is unknown (Matthew 24:44-46).
There is one other appointment which is optional: men may fail to meet this very important appointment, but will suffer the consequences of doing so. It is an appointment with the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
a. It must be met in order to obtain glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
b. It must be preached (1 Corinthians 9:16)
c. It must be obeyed on pain of everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
d. It is the Gospel of Him who is the source of eternal salvation and must be obeyed (Hebrews 5:9)
We humans were created to live forever, but to do so, we must meet these five appointments. Physical death and Judgment are only steps on the way to eternity, but where will we spend eternity? If we reject our appointment with the Gospel, we have no more mercy available from God on Judgment, and we cannot obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: "16 May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. "
