Hebrews 9:27

JBotwinick,

It means that your only chance to accept Christ is in this life. There is no reincarnation, there is no chance after death like some cults teach. There is this life, there is death, there is judgement, there is an eternity in heaven or hell. The author unambigously is telling us that we have one life to choose in. It certainly leaves little room for the increasingly popular anihilation theorists, that believe God will anihilate those in hell at some future point. This verse says clearly there is but one death.

 

Lazarus and the multitude who were resuscitated at Christ’s resurrection died twice; (John 11:43,44; Matt. 27:51–53). Those, like Lazarus, who were raised from the dead by a miraculous act of our Lord were not resurrected to a glorified body and unending life. They only experienced resuscitation. Another exception will be those who don’t die even once, but who will be “caught up … to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17)

 

It is also a categorical denial of the concept of reincarnation; however it is a general, not an absolute principle. What about Elijah?

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2: 11

 

JBotwinick,

I think the answer to your question is no not everyone will have to die a physical death. The greatest example of this will be when Jesus comes again. But that's not the point of this verse. The point is that there is no hope beyond the grave. We have to choose in this life, that there is but one judgement.