And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
As, х kath' (G2596) hoson (G3745)] - inasmuch as.
It is appointed, х apokeitai (G606)] - 'it is laid up (as our appointed lot)' (Colossians 1:5). "Appointed" [Hebrew, Shiyth (H7896], in the case of man, answers to 'anointed' in the case of Jesus; therefore the "Christ" is the title here. The history of man and that of the Son of man strictly correspond. The two most solemn facts of our being are connected with the two most gracious truths of our dispensation, our death and judgment answering in parallelism to Christ's first coming to die for us, and His second coming to consummate our salvation.
Once - no more.
After this the judgment - namely, at Christ's appearing, to which, in Hebrews 9:28, "judgment" in this verse is parallel. Not 'after this comes the heavenly glory.' The intermediate state is a joyous, or else agonizing expectation of "judgment;" after the judgment comes the full and final joy, or else woe.