The Lord Jesus Stated in No Uncertain Terms that Every Soul that Ever Lived Will Participate in One of Two Resurrections: The Resurrection of Life or the Resurrection of Judgment, and the Eternal Destiny of Every Soul is Determined by What Decision is Made in This Life Concerning Christ
John 5:24-29

Lesson 22

background notes

doctrinal / teaching points
1. The good news is that there is a resurrection of life.

2. The bad news is that there is a resurrection of condemnation.

 

practical applications
1. Remember that you were born dead.

2. Remember that you will exist forever.

 

questions
1. How do each of the four gospels present Christ?

2. What is the great theme of the gospel of John?

3. What is the good news?

4. What is the bad news?

5. How can one be sure of a resurrection of life?

6. What is important about the use of the tenses in John 5:24?

answers
1. Matthew presents Christ as King, the Jewish Messiah; in Mark, He is the perfect servant; in Luke, the Son of Man; in John, the Son of God.

2. Presenting the full deity of Christ. Everything in the gospel points to this great truth – the seven sign miracles, the dialogues and conversations of our Lord, and the “I Am” statements all emphasize and enhance the great truth that Jesus is God.

3. That there is a resurrection of life. “All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life.” John 5:28-29  The resurrection of life is the resurrection of the saved, and those who participate in this resurrection have eternal life in the presence of the Lord.

4. That the damned are resurrected to stand before the judgment of the great white throne. “All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:28-29  This is called the second death, where anyone not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.

5. The “good” of John 5:29 is to believe the word of God and trust Christ as Savior.

6. The use of the present tense means that the believer has already entered into eternal life, having passed from death into life.

 

discuss / consider
1. Remember that no one is born a Christian, regardless of home, or church, or nation. One must be born of the Spirit. Read Ephesians 2:1. Make sure of your own salvation, and witness to those around you. It’s a matter of life or death – eternal life or eternal damnation.

2. Remember that you will exist forever. Every single soul that ever lived will participate in one of these two resurrections. It is an awesome thought, to exist forever, either in heaven or in hell. Let this impress your heart and mind concerning the salvation of loved ones.

 

challenge
Consider how you would respond to someone who says, “There is no literal hell. A loving God would not relegate anyone to eternal damnation.”

memorize

• “Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”  John 5:24