John 5:24 (KJV)

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; but is passed from death unto life.

When Jesus made this promise, He was in Jerusalem during a Jewish feast. He was walking around the city and came to a pool which is located near the wall of the city—near the gate which is called the sheep gate. The pool was called the Pool of Bethesda.

Hear who Jesus is.

Jesus’ identity was and is made clear by God. (John 1:1-3, 14)
Jesus not only created the world, the universe and all things in them, but He also set up the patterns of authorities in the world,

Jesus is the Son of God. (John 5:20). He is the Judge of all men. (John 5:21-30) He knows those people who will inherit eternal life. He knows those people who will be doomed to eternal punishment. This judgment is, of course, based upon what they have done about trusting Jesus as their Saviour. (Revelation 14:7)

Jesus’ identity has been confirmed by His acts. (John 5:17-18)
Whatever works His Father could do, He could do. (John 14:11, Acts 2:22) He made blind eyes to see. (John 9:1-7) He made the crippled man to walk. (John 5:19-21)

Hear what Jesus had done. 

He was the perfect sacrifice for sin (1 Peter 1:19, 20) and He suffered sin’s punishment for us. 

Hear what only Jesus can do.

Only He can give eternal life. (John 5:21, 25-26)
As the Judge, He will determine who should have life eternal and who should suffer eternal death based upon what they have done about trusting Jesus as their Saviour. (John 5:28, 29)

Only He can take anyone to heaven.
He is the way to heaven. He is the door to heaven. He only is truth and life. (John 10:9; 14:6)

Hear what you must do.

You must believe the words of the Father. 

  • Believe who Jesus is. 
  • Believe what Jesus did. 
  • Believe in the necessity for Jesus’ work of salvation.
  • Believe that you are a sinner. 
  • Believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven.

As a reward for your faith, you will receive everlasting life.

  • This is the opposite of everlasting death in hell.
  • This is the promise of being with Jesus after death.

The person who has trusted Jesus as his Savior is passed from death unto life.