Preface
The Gospel of John presents some of the most powerful words ever spoken by Jesus, and John 5:25 is certainly among them. In this single verse, Jesus encapsulates the mystery of spiritual resurrection, a truth that would not only transform the world in His day but continue to ripple through history, affecting the lives of billions. In this book, we will explore the depth of John 5:25 and uncover its meaning, significance, and prophetic implications for us today.
Jesus’ statement, ‘The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live,’ is not just a statement about physical resurrection but a proclamation of the power of His voice to awaken spiritual life in the hearts of all who are spiritually dead. Spoken before His crucifixion, these words point forward to a future where Christ’s work will reach beyond time and space. This echoes the prophecy of Hosea 6:2, which declares, ‘After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight,’ foreshadowing the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection. Through His death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, the gospel will awaken the spiritually dead, offering them the gift of eternal life.
Through this book, I invite you to delve deep into the mystery of Christ’s voice—how it has reverberated through history, from the time He first spoke these words, to their ongoing fulfillment in our world today. We will trace the journey from Christ’s earthly ministry, through His resurrection, to the global spread of His gospel, and explore how John 5:25 challenges us to listen to that voice and come alive.
Chapter 1: Introduction – The Power of Christ’s Voice
John 5:25 is a monumental declaration by Jesus, one that reveals His divine authority over life and death. But it is not just a proclamation about physical death—it’s about the power to resurrect spiritually dead souls. This chapter introduces the context of the verse and its importance within the broader narrative of John’s Gospel.
Jesus uses the phrase “Verily, verily”, which in the Greek (ἀμήν ἀμήν, amēn amēn) signals an emphatic, undeniable truth. This phrase occurs several times throughout John’s Gospel, often just before Jesus makes a statement of deep significance. When He says, “The hour is coming, and now is,” He marks the transition between what was and what is to come—both a present reality and a future promise. His words are a bridge between His earthly ministry and the work of the Holy Ghost to come.
John 5:25 sets the stage for a global impact of Christ’s voice, which begins with His ministry and will extend to the farthest corners of the earth, culminating in the final resurrection of the dead. As we explore this verse, we’ll uncover its prophetic significance, its theological depth, and its profound implications for the spiritual resurrection of all who hear and believe.
Chapter 2: Breaking Down John 5:25
“Verily, verily, I say unto you…”
The double “verily” is a unique marker of truth, signifying a divine certainty. Jesus is not merely making an observation or telling a parable; He is declaring a universal, irrevocable truth about the power of His voice. This truth transcends His earthly ministry and speaks directly to all who will hear His message through the ages.
“The hour is coming, and now is…”
Here, we see a beautiful tension between “the hour is coming” and “now is”. The future resurrection of the dead at Christ’s second coming is certainly in view, but Jesus also emphasizes that this power to awaken the spiritually dead is already present. Jesus is announcing the beginning of a new era, where He, the Son of God, will not only raise the physically dead but also breathe life into all those spiritually dead in their sins.
“When the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God…”
“The dead” in this context is not referring to physical death but spiritual death. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus often speaks of spiritual life and death. The “dead” are those who are separated from God due to sin and have no true life within them. Hearing the voice of the Son of God means responding to His message of salvation. When the spiritually dead hear Christ’s voice—the gospel of life—they are awakened to new life.
“And they that hear shall live.”
To hear here is not just to listen with the ears but to receive and respond in faith. It is the heart and spirit of the listener that must “hear.” The response is not passive but active—those who hear Christ’s call to life will experience a spiritual resurrection. This resurrection is an instantaneous, transformative act of the Holy Ghost that brings the believer from death to life.
Chapter 3: The Prophetic Nature of John 5:25
John 5:25 is not simply a present statement but a prophetic declaration that points forward to the spiritual transformation brought about by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Ghost. The resurrection power Jesus speaks of is both a now and not yet reality—meaning that it has begun in part, but its full manifestation is still to come.
The words “the hour is coming” refer to the final resurrection of the dead, which will happen when Christ returns and calls all people to life. Yet, in the now is, Jesus speaks of the current spiritual resurrection that is available to all who respond to His call. Through the work of the Holy Ghost, the gospel is preached and lives are changed.
At the moment of Pentecost (Acts 2), the spiritual resurrection of millions began. The dead—those separated from God—heard the voice of the Son of God through the apostles’ preaching, and they were made alive in Christ. This is not merely a future event but a present reality for all who hear the gospel.
Chapter 4: Jesus’ Limited Ministry vs. Post-Resurrection Power
While Jesus’ earthly ministry was localized—restricted to a small group of people in a specific region—His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost would change everything. Before His death, Jesus’ voice was heard only by those in His immediate circle. His healing ministry was limited by time and place. But through the resurrection, He would empower His disciples to take His message to the entire world.
After His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, the gospel would spread rapidly, bringing life to the spiritually dead. This is why John 5:25 is a prophetic statement that extends beyond Jesus’ lifetime on earth—it speaks of the ongoing, ever-expanding reach of the gospel.
Chapter 5: The Connection to Ezekiel’s Vision of the Dry Bones
In Ezekiel 37, God commands the prophet to prophesy to a valley of dry bones, symbolizing the spiritually dead nation of Israel. The bones come to life when God’s Spirit enters them. This powerful vision foreshadows the work of Christ in the New Testament. Just as the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision came to life through the breath of God (the Spirit), so too does the gospel breathe life into those who are spiritually dead.
When Jesus speaks in John 5:25, He is echoing Ezekiel’s vision, but He takes it even further. Not only will Israel be spiritually resurrected, but all people who respond to His call will receive eternal life. Christ is the breath that gives life to all who hear His voice. The connection between Ezekiel’s vision and Jesus’ words is clear: both point to the power of God’s Spirit to bring spiritual life to the dead.
Chapter 6: Eschatological Implications of John 5:25
The eschatological implications of John 5:25 extend beyond the immediate spiritual resurrection and point to the ultimate resurrection of all the dead at the end of time. When Jesus returns, His voice will once again call out to the dead, both the righteous and the wicked. Those who have died will hear His voice and be resurrected to eternal life or eternal judgment.
This final resurrection is the ultimate fulfillment of what Jesus prophesied in John 5:25. However, the power to raise the spiritually dead through the gospel has already begun. The work of the Holy Ghost is already making dead hearts come alive, as millions around the world hear Christ’s voice and respond in faith.