Hebrews 9:27-28, It is appointed once for a man to die, then the judgement
America was founded on the premise that an individual is innocent until proven guilty and that everyone is entitled to a fair trial where they are given the opportunity to defend their innocence. No matter what they have done they are not condemned until they are convicted before a judge and their peers. This can be a terrifying experience to know that their freedom and possibly life rests in the hands of a judge and jury. They can beg, plead, and present the best case possible for their innocence but everything still rests on the judgement rendered. The American judicial system can be intimidating and freighting, but it is nothing compared to standing before the God of the Universe in judgment. Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed once for a man to die and then we all must face judgment. This is much more intimidating than standing before a judge in court room because you are now standing in front of God, who discerns our thoughts and intentions of our heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
There is nothing we can do to escape death and there is nothing we can do to escape the judgement of God. Scripture bears witness that both the righteous and the wicked with be judged after we leave this earth. The wicked will stand before God at the Great White Throne judgment and the righteous will stand before Jesus at the Judgment seat (Bema) of Christ. These are two very different forms of judgment as all those at the Great White Throne judgment are doomed to eternity in Hell and those at the Bema judgment are judged based upon their faithfulness to Christ after accepting Him as their Lord and Savior. The Bema judgment will determine your roll in the kingdom of God and Jesus’ millennial reign here on earth. Jesus died for and will return for those who are awaiting His return to this earth, but it still holds true that we will all face judgment as we enter eternity.