For 2,000 years Jesus has been a visitor to heaven. Jesus is one of us, and so will soon be back home where he belongs. The heavens must “receive” him (hospitably, as a welcome guest) until “the times of the restoration of all things…” Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the ancient Greek word translated “receive” as “giving access to someone as a visitor.”
In the Gospel of John Jesus often speaks of things in a binary way, or if you like, on two levels: one spiritual; one natural. Example: “Lazarus sleeps” (as Jesus saw it) and Lazarus is dead” (as his disciples saw it). Here in John chapter 5, Jesus is speaking likewise, in that those who are spiritually dead hear the voice of the Son of God and believe, then pass from spiritual death to spiritual life IN PRESENT TIME — “now is” time. They are “born from above” by the Spirit of God and in this present life receive everlasting life.
But “in the hour that is coming” — in future time —
John 5:24-25: “Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who hears my word and believes on Him who sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation but is [has] passed from death unto life.
Truly, truly, I say unto you, ‘The hour is coming, AND NOW IS, when the [spiritually] dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” Those who do not hear the voice of the Son of God in this life will also hear his voice; however, it will not be the voice of Jesus the Saviour but the voice of Jesus the Judge.
John 5:27: “For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming [Note the absence of the phrase “AND NOW IS” as in verse 25] in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.”
Are you now hearing the voice of the Son of God/ If so, will you do as he says by receiving him as your Saviour? Or will you reject his voice? If so, you’ll hear his voice again when he returns, but not the gentle voice of a Saviour but the solemn voice of a judge.
Indecision is passive and resolves nothing. But decision acts. It resolves conflict. “Today is the day of salvation.” Not tomorrow. Not sometime when you feel more ready. What if the voice you are now hearing were never to speak to you again? Do not let Jesus pass you by but call on him to save you from your sins –right now!