A Time is Coming

"Truly, truly, I say to you, a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this; for a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come out: those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the bad deeds to a resurrection of judgment." (John 5:25-29)

In these verses, Jesus reveals profound truths about His authority over life and judgment. He begins by affirming that His voice has the power to bring the dead to life, both spiritually and physically. This power is given to Him by the Father, who has life in Himself and has granted the same to the Son. Jesus also states that the time for this has already begun, pointing to the spiritual awakening of those who respond to His call in faith.

The heart of the passage is in verses 28-29, where Jesus describes a future resurrection. He declares that "all who are in the tombs will hear His voice." This universal statement includes every person, believer and unbeliever alike, emphasizing that no one is exempt from the resurrection. What distinguishes one group from another is not the timing of their resurrection but their eternal destiny. Those who have done good, reflecting a life of faith and obedience to God, will rise to a resurrection of life. Those who have done evil, rejecting God and persisting in rebellion, will rise to a resurrection of judgment.

This passage finds support in other parts of Scripture, such as Acts 17:31, where Paul declares, "He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead." This verse reinforces the idea that judgment will occur on a specific day, with Jesus as the appointed judge, a role He fulfills because He is both fully God and fully human, the "Son of Man" mentioned in John 5:27.

The parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46 provides further insight into the judgment Jesus describes. Here, humanity is divided into two groups based on their response to Christ, evidenced by their actions. The sheep, who represent the righteous, inherit eternal life because their lives reflected compassion and faithfulness. The goats, representing the unrighteous, are sent into eternal punishment because their actions revealed a rejection of God.

This resurrection to life or judgment also echoes Daniel 12:2: "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt." Both Daniel and Jesus highlight the dual outcomes of the resurrection, stressing the eternal significance of how individuals respond to God.

The passage in John 5 challenges us to consider the authority of Jesus over life and judgment. The same voice that called Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:43) will one day call all humanity to rise. For those who have placed their faith in Christ, this resurrection brings the hope of eternal life. For those who have rejected Him, it results in judgment and eternal separation from God.

Jesus’ words emphasize the urgency of responding to Him in faith. He invites us to a resurrection of life, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Acts 24:15 echoes this hope: "There shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." This hope and warning compel us to live in obedience to Christ, knowing that the day will come when we hear His voice and face the reality of eternity.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

If you have any comments, questions, or testimonies to share, I would love to hear from you! Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)