What do you understand John 5:29 to mean?

This text is from a letter written by David Gooding.

You ask about our Lord's phrase in John 5:29:

'And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation'.

You say that reminds you of John 3:21, which says 'But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God'. On the other hand, 'everyone that does evil hates the light and does not come to the light' (see John 3:20).

It seems to me that an answer can be found in considering the Lord's situation within history. He is talking about people's attitude towards him. He is making the point that those who, even before his coming, were wanting to please God, when they heard of him, would come to him; whereas those who were evil would refuse to come to him.

This is understandable, of course. There were many in Old Testament times who were good people, such as Abraham and Isaac and Joseph and many others. They were not perfect, but they were believers in God and tried to do the will of God.

The question arises: do you think that such people had to believe in the Lord Jesus—in his virgin birth, atoning death, and resurrection, in order to be saved? And if they didn't hear of these things, were they lost? I think I know what your answer will be.

So, in John 5:29, our Lord is talking of the general resurrection, and he makes the distinction between those who have done good and those who have done evil. In other words, when he comes again and the dead shall be raised—will only those who have known about him, and have trusted him and his death for them, and his resurrection, be saved? Or will all those in the Old Testament, whom we call the Old Testament saints, who tried to do the will of God and put their faith in God, like Abraham did— will they also be saved? Again, I think I know what you will answer.

Warmly in Christ,