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b) John 5:28–29: Despite the benefits of eternal life which we currently enjoy (John 5:24), the best is yet to come.
According to the Son of Man, “The hour shall come when all those in their graves shall hear his voice, and the ones who did good things shall come out into resurrection of life.”[1]
Contrary to the surface appearance of Christ’s pronouncement, this does not comprise salvation by works. Soon after this, Jesus attested, “This is the work of God: that you should believe in that one he has sent” (John 6:29).[2]
The Lord raises to life the spiritually dead who heed the call of God and place their faith in Christ for their salvation even while they remain here on earth (Eph 2:1–10).
They shall experience a second resurrection after physical death, when Christ ushers in his kingdom in all its glory (Job 19:25–27; 1 Cor 15:42–58; 1 Thess 4:13–18).[3]
On the other hand, those who have done evil shall rise only to suffer condemnation (Matt 25:31–46; Luke 11:31–32).[4]
When the day of judgment arrives, Jesus shall reveal the decision each person has made (1 Tim 5:24–25; Heb 9:27–28; Rev 20:11–15).[5]
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Read John 5:28–29. Consider the contrasting fates of those who belong to Christ and those who reject his authority over them. What motivation does this give to us who believe?
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Go to Christ’s Resurrected Body (Luke 24:31, 35–44)
[related posts include Passed from Death into Life (John 5:24–27); Continually Watch! (Matt 24:42–44); Christ’s Resurrected Body (Luke 24:31, 35–44); Confession and Belief (Rom 10:8–10); Future Vindication (Rom 10:11–12); Salvation for All Who Call (Rom 10:13); Dead in Adam but Alive in Christ (1 Cor 15:20–23); Perishable Flesh and Blood (1 Cor 15:50); We Shall Be Changed (1 Cor 15:51–52); Victory over Death (1 Cor 15:53–55); Minds on Earthly Things (Phil 3:17–19); Citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:20); Glorified Bodies (Phil 3:21); The Armies in Heaven (Rev 19:14); Striking the Nations (Rev 19:15); and Cast into the Inferno (Rev 19:20–21)]
[Click here to go to Chapter 10: The Tree of Life (Genesis 3:22–24)]
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[1] Beasley-Murray, John, 77.
[2] Carson, The Gospel According to John, 258.
[3] Beasley-Murray, John, 77.
[4] Morris, The Gospel According to John, 285.
[5] Beasley-Murray, John, 77.
Redemptive History and Theology 