Hebrews 9:27 — And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

A tragic event here in Southwest Florida has brought the force of this verse back to mind. A much loved local weatherman was riding his bicycle on Sunday afternoon, hit a sign and incurred traumatic head injuries, and died.
A man who had made an important contribution to his local community, relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, is suddenly in the presence of Jesus. A man a couple of years older than me, snatched away from friends and family, having to account for his life. I don’t know about you, but it strikes a chill note for me. I am reminded, once again, of the uncertainty of life.
As I think about these tragic events I know that I know nothing about the state of the dead man’s soul. I don’t know what the thought would happen when he died. I know he wasn’t expecting it would happen as he road his bike on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
I think every one of us will be amazed on the day we die — weather we see it coming or not.
Christians are going to be amazed, I believe, by just how wonderful being in the presence of Jesus. Remember what Paul says in his letter to the Corinthian: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Of course, there may be more to the amazement that the faithful feel. I think we all have expectations of reward when we die — and we are going to be amazed at what God thinks of our expectations. “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15) — some of us are going to be amazed because we have overvalued our kingdom contribution … And others of us will be amazed to find the “nothing much” we have done is a very big deal to Jesus indeed.
Tragically, there are others whose amazement will be of a very different order. There are those who don’t confess Jesus as Lord. For them the judgment may be a complete surprise as they have denied the truth of another of Pauk’s comments — “because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.” (Romans 1:19)
Only you and God know where you stand. Prepare to be amazed!