Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 35:69 (Autumn 2022)
Article: To Be (Or Not To Be) Summoned To The Final Judgment: John 5:28–29 In Light Of 5:24
Author: John Niemelä

JOTGES 35:69 (Autumn 2022) p. 15

To Be (Or Not To Be) Summoned To The Final Judgment: John 5:28–29 In Light Of 5:241

John H. Niemelä

Message of Life
Knoxville, TN

I. Introduction

Amen, amen, I tell you, the one who listens to My word and believes the One who sent Me has everlasting life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24).

Do not be shocked at this, because an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice and will come forth—those who have done good things, unto the resurrection of life; but those who have done substandard things, unto the resurrection of judgment (John 5:28–29).2

Those who interpret John 5:24 in light of 5:28–29 expect Jesus to summon all people (believers and unbelievers) to the Great White Throne (GWT). They regard verses 28–29 as universal. If that were actually so, John 5:24 would not promise believers an exemption from the summons to the GWT. It would only exempt them from eternity in the lake of fire.

JOTGES 35:69 (Autumn 2022) p. 16

By contrast, this article contends that John 5:24 promises that Jesus will not even summon believers to the GWT judgment. It goes without saying that they will never experience the lake of fire.

Most of Christendom understands John 5:24 as older editions of the King James Version3 rendered it:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [i.e., the lake of fire]; but is passed from death unto life (emphasis added).

Unfortunately, such an understanding serves as a catalyst for most of Christendom imagining that a believer’s destiny is not settled until the final judgment. That is the polar opposite of John 5:24’s promise. This article categorically denies that believers will be at the GWT. Paraphrasing Shakespeare in Hamlet:

To be [at the GWT], or not to be [at the GWT]? That is the question.

An...