Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

I was studying these scriptures the day before memorial, and saw some beautiful things I wanted to share with all of you.

Joh 5:24  Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.

So, belief in Jesus words bring everlasting life to those who put their faith in his promise... They have in essence passed from death (dying) to life(the life given by Jesus).  They are no longer in a state of judgment, but of life.  Notice while saying these things he is talking to a large group of people.  His comments were directed to them, those listening to his voice, and believing him.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, The hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they who hear shall live."

He is not talking about some future time, but is talking about the people listening to his voice NOW.  They were dead, but because of them hearing the son of God they will live.  They have passed over from death to life.  This is a seperate group than he is speaking about in VS. 28.  Those who are in the memorial tombs.


Joh 5:26  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given to the Son to have life within Himself,
Joh 5:27  and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

Jesus had been granted by the father to have life within himself, and to execute Judgement.  He can supply the life within himself, to others that he deems worthy, and who is Worthy?  Those who believe in him, the Son and Word of God.


Joh 5:28  Do not marvel at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves shall hear His voice,
Joh 5:29  and shall come forth, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have practiced evil to the resurrection of condemnation.

So, in Vs. 25, he is speaking of the group who was physically alive, but dead within, and how they were now hearing and believing on his word and passing from death to life.  In VS 28-29 he explaines how the ones who are even physically dead were going to (in a future hour) come out of the graves to a ressurection of life or Judgement.

I found these verses so encouraging.  We can have life within ourselves NOW.  We do not have to wait, he gives to us the life that is in him. (John 1:4)  It becomes our light, our hope and treasure.  A piece of Him, and we become a member of his body.

What are all you thoughts?:grouphug:

Love to all
Lynn

Lynn why are you so smart?:D This kind of language is used all through the NT. When a person believes in Christ, at that moment, they are :

1. saved
2. placed in the body of Christ
3. given every spiritual blessing
4. Sealed until the redemption of their body
5. Justified
6. sanctified
7. given life
8. cleansed of sin
9. at peace with God
10. resting in Christ
11. no longer condemned
12. no longer under wrath
13. totally secure
14. Under God's protection
15. etc.

All these things are for NOW!

One of the reason I left the JW's is that they teach that I would never have any of these things.

God bless you.

Dear Lynn,

Of all the books in God's Word the book of John so brilliantly illuminates our Saviour Lord's work for us.

You wrote:

They have in essence passed from death (dying) to life(the life given by Jesus).

I endorse all you said but I would leave out the apparently qualifying, "in essence" that was added.

Peace and well being
Derek

You are quite right Derek... The qualifier "in essence" is definately not necessary. Thanks for catching that.

Love
Lynn

Ah Lynn,


Religion cannot offer what Jesus offers. Religious bodies who try to control God cannot give people anything now except for more religion.

People who know God direct people to Jesus. Religions who want to control people do anything to convince their adherants that they can't have those now things, but they dangle them like a carrot on a stick as a hope for the future.

I don't know wey more people can't rest in the promises and blessings of God and recieve their life now, possibly they don't actualy believe or understand the vastness of God's love, mercy and grace. Or possibly, they don't genuenely can't compehend that they really can't do anything toward recieving these blessings other than believing in God's grace and mercy and love. It is hard. People do want to feel they're doing somethinmg to make themselves worthy, to make themselves into good christians.

Biology lesson.

You don't go "baa baa" to become a sheep. You say "baa baa" because you are a sheep.

Brothers and Sisters

I have been doing heavy re-reading and study on John 5 the past couple of days. Interestingly, one of the verses I am meditating on was mentioned at the WT study after today's "special talk" that I went to because my teacher gave it. He always does a great job no matter what.

This was the verse, cited in the context of the resurrection...

"“The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus’] voice and come out” (John 5:28)

So, of course, I ask myself....If almost everyone today (except the annointed) died and will die utterly and need to wait for the resurrection to take place - who is going to hear anything before that resurrection from the memorial tomb? This inclines me to think that we could be living somewhere to hear that voice.

I think that the WT explanation of memorial tombs as meaning "Jehovah's memory" is not supported by Greek scripture, especially because Mat 27:52, etc. uses it as what we would consider to be a sepulchre or some such thing. (Mnemeion, meaning any visible object for preserving or recalling the memory of any person or thing a memorial, monument, specifically, a sepulchral monument
a sepulchre, a tomb).

Any takers on this? At any rate, anyone who knows of a nice resource on John 5 in general would be in my prayers if that told me about it.

Your Brother in Christ

Son Of Korah

Hello there SOK ...:hibye::D

How's it going ...:giverose:

First of all if I could ask ... :blush:

What exactly do you mean by ...

So, of course, I ask myself....If almost everyone today (except the annointed) died and will die utterly and need to wait for the resurrection to take place - who is going to hear anything before that resurrection from the memorial tomb? This inclines me to think that we could be living somewhere to hear that voice.

I'm not quite sure I understand ...?:confused::dontknow:

My brain is slow today so you will have to forgive me please ...:redface::heartbeat:

Luv your sis BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts:

24 Most truly I say to YOU, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life.

25 “Most truly I say to YOU, The hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who have given heed will live.

28 Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. (John 5, NWT)

22 And yet at present I know that as many things as you ask God for, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” 24 Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; 26 and everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?”

43 And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Laz´a·rus, come on out!” 44 The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Loose him and let him go.” (John 11, NWT)

Interesting scriptures. Does the "hearing" happen before...or after one dies? Or is it that the one who has heard Jesus' voice previously recognizes his calling?

gus

Hi BR and thanks to all!

My brain is a little slow too as I am in the process of giving up smoking again so I am kind of slow on the draw.

Simply put - This passage makes me question the total death of the soul since it could be read that we are alive on some level in order to "hear" Jesus call us from the tombs.

Much Love

Son Of Korah

Hey Gus!

Here is how I see it - this verse...

25 “Most truly I say to YOU, The hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who have given heed will live.

refers to our call on earth - we really are "dead" until we heed the voice of the Son of God.

I like this verse too...

24 Most truly I say to YOU, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life.

I have read some scholars think that "everlasting" refers not to time but to quality, i.e. "fullness". If this is NOT so, this verse also tends to make me wonder if there is something of us that consciously survives after our death but before our resurrection - that is what everlasting would mean to most people in this context, no?

Good To Hear From You, Amigo.

Son Of Korah

Hi brother Korahsson,

Jesus is obviously talking about more than being "in God's memory".
He is talking about those who believe in him already. The general dead who are in God's memory do not necessarily believe in Christ...yet...?
Repeated several times in the book of John is the statement by Jesus about the believer having life.

This is not the resurrection of the dead, the resurrection comes later, I believe it is what us Christians and the repentant evildoer gained.  I am not sure whether it is conscious or not, but we the Christians live in Christ and he will not let us go.
Peace and blessings
Derek