Who will be resurrected to paradise?

[ucastrobr]

Some people in my congregation believe that everyone will be resurrected, except for Judas, Adam, and Eve. Others, myself included, think different about the resurrection.

In my view, individuals, even those who do not know Jehovah, they need to exhibit meekness and obey the law of their community and the law of conscience that Jehovah has given to all humanity.

Jehovah judges the hearts of everyone. Even among Jehovah's Witnesses, those who do not respect the holiness of God, lead a double life, or only do the bare minimum for Jehovah, are at serious risk of losing their relationship with Him.

Think about Jeremiah 25:33: "And those slain by Jehovah in that day will be from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be mourned, nor will they be gathered up or buried. They will become like manure on the surface of the ground’.

God’s Word foretells that the governments and all their dependent organizations will be rocked from their foundations. The great tribulation will reach its climax with the destruction of all the governments of this old world and all those who side with them against God’s Kingdom. (Jer. 25:31-33) 

 

What Will Go When God’s Kingdom Comes? — paragraph 8

 

Jehovah is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He does not change. If those whom Jehovah judges through Jesus at the end of the system "slain by Jehovah in that day will be from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth," then why would people who die in the future be judged differently than those who lived in the past? Those people who will die in the future when Armageddon begins, but imagine if the same people had lived in the past and died, would be judged differently and would be resurrected again.

This raises questions about the impartiality of judgment. It seems that it could be favorable for all those who have died before Armageddon, regardless of their actions in life, while being unfavorable for those alive when Armageddon begins.

 

I know that many brothers wish for the resurrection of their relatives and are concerned about how Jehovah will treat them when Armageddon begins. However, they often overlook the fact that some of these relatives passed away before Armageddon and that many of them showed no interest in Jehovah during their lives.
Sometimes, the brothers will say about a loved one who didn't take the side of the Kingdom, "He (or she) is in Jehovah's memory."

We know resurrection is undeserved kindness; no one deserves it for deed.

Exodus 32:32-33: "But now if you are willing, pardon their sin; if not, please wipe me out from your book that you have written.” However, Jehovah said to Moses: “Whoever has sinned against me, I will wipe him out of my book."

Malachi 3:16-18 "At that time those who fear Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance was written before him for those fearing Jehovah and for those meditating on his name.
  “And they will be mine,” says Jehovah of armies, “in the day when I produce a special property. I will show them compassion, just as a man shows compassion to his son who serves him.  And you will again see the distinction between a righteous person and a wicked person, between one serving God and one not serving him.”

Mathew 7:13,14: “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it."

 

How about you, brothers?

 

[minister159]

Our understanding on this subject was clarified in the 5/24 WT study article 18. You may want to review what was stated there. Here is an excerpt from that article:

 

"Read Jeremiah 17:10. That verse helps us to summarize what we do know: Jehovah has always been the one “searching the heart, examining the innermost thoughts.” When it comes to the future resurrection, he will, as always, “give to each one according to his ways.” Jehovah will be firm when necessary but merciful whenever possible. So we should not assume that a person has no hope of a resurrection unless we know that to be the case!" --- par. 16

 

"Let us be determined to trust that Jehovah knows best. We recognize that we are not qualified to judge—but he is! (Read Isaiah 55:8, 9.) So we confidently leave all the judging to him and his Son, the King who perfectly reflects his Father’s justice and mercy." --- par. 19

[carlos]

2 hours ago, ucastrobr said:

It seems that it could be favorable for all those who have died before Armageddon, regardless of their actions in life, while being unfavorable for those alive when Armageddon begins.

 

Jesus will judge every person, dead or alive, according to their actions and their heart condition. Judgment means that some will obtain a positive sentence, others a negative one. Many people will be resurrected and many others won't, probably even some we don't expect. I like how the WT Ken quoted puts it: "Jehovah will be firm when necessary but merciful whenever possible." That implies that some people will receive the firm judgment of eternal death. They won't be resurrected.

 

On the other hand, since Jesus is the one judging, it's pointless to try and determine who will be resurrected and who won't. Only he knows.

 

[dljbsp]

This thread has been a good reminder for me to stay focused on what we do know and leave the rest in Jehovah’s hands. I’m in full agreement with the article cited from the May 2024 Watchtower. Jehovah examines hearts, and Jesus is the appointed Judge. That’s not just comforting—it’s also humbling. It helps me remember that my role is to keep showing mercy and sharing the good news, not trying to draw lines Jehovah hasn’t drawn.

[grain of mustard]

14 hours ago, carlos said:

 

Jesus julgará cada pessoa, viva ou morta, de acordo com suas ações e a condição de seu coração. Julgamento significa que alguns receberão uma sentença positiva, outros, uma negativa. Muitas pessoas serão ressuscitadas e muitas outras não, provavelmente até mesmo algumas que não esperamos. Gosto da maneira como o Senhor Jesus Cristo citado por Ken coloca: "Jeová será firme quando necessário, mas misericordioso sempre que possível". Isso implica que algumas pessoas receberão o firme julgamento da morte eterna. Elas não serão ressuscitadas.

 

Por outro lado, como Jesus é quem julga, é inútil tentar determinar quem ressuscitará e quem não. Só ele sabe.

 

Just one detail, I think that Jesus is the Judge appointed by Jehovah, but to judge the living, not the dead. When we die we enter a condition called Sheol or Hades with hope of salvation or we enter the symbolic Gehenna of no resurrection. I believe that Jesus did not judge the dead who lived before Jesus came to earth or after.  

[Shawnster]

10 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

Just one detail, I think that Jesus is the Judge appointed by Jehovah, but to judge the living, not the dead. When we die we enter a condition called Sheol or Hades with hope of salvation or we enter the symbolic Gehenna of no resurrection. I believe that Jesus did not judge the dead who lived before Jesus came to earth or after.  

 

The Bible says Jesus is the judge of all the dead, not just those who died after Jesus lived.  No one comes to Jehovah except through Christ. All those in the memorial tombs wlll hear Jesus voice. 

 

(John 14:6) 6 Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=43014006&srcid=share

 

(John 5:28) 28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=43005029&srcid=share

 

(Acts 10:42) 42 Also, he ordered us to preach to the people and to give a thorough witness that this is the one decreed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=44010042&srcid=share

 

(Romans 14:9) 9 For to this end Christ died and came to life again, so that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=45014009&srcid=share

 

(2 Corinthians 5:10) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of the Christ, so that each one may be repaid according to the things he has practiced while in the body, whether good or bad.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=47005010&srcid=share

 

(2 Timothy 4:1) 4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his manifestation and his Kingdom:

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=55004001&srcid=share

 

 

[grain of mustard]

1 hour ago, Shawnster said:

 

A Bíblia diz que Jesus é o juiz de todos os mortos, não apenas daqueles que morreram depois que Jesus viveu. Ninguém vem a Jeová senão por meio de Cristo. Todos os que estão nos túmulos memoriais ouvirão a voz de Jesus. 

 

(João 14:6) 6 Disse-lhe Jesus: "Eu sou o caminho, a verdade e a vida. Ninguém vem ao Pai senão por mim.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=43014006&srcid=share

 

(João 5:28) 28 Não vos maravilheis disto, porque vem a hora em que todos os que estão nos túmulos memoriais ouvirão a sua voz 29 e sairão: os que fizeram boas obras, para a ressurreição da vida, e os que praticaram coisas más, para a ressurreição do juízo.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=43005029&srcid=share

 

(Atos 10:42) 42 Ele também nos ordenou que pregássemos ao povo e déssemos um testemunho cabal de que este é o escolhido por Deus para ser juiz dos vivos e dos mortos.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=44010042&srcid=share

 

(Romanos 14:9) 9 Pois foi para isto que Cristo morreu e ressuscitou, para ser Senhor tanto dos mortos como dos vivos.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=45014009&srcid=share

 

(2 Coríntios 5:10) 10 Porque todos devemos comparecer ante o tribunal de Cristo, para que cada um receba segundo as obras que tiver praticado por meio do corpo, ou bem, ou mal.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=47005010&srcid=share

 

(2 Timóteo 4:1) 4 Eu te conjuro solenemente diante de Deus e de Cristo Jesus, que há de julgar os vivos e os mortos, por sua manifestação e por seu Reino:

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=nwtsty&srctype=wol&bible=55004001&srcid=share

 

 

Yes brother, those dead people there are the living in the new world. 

[Dages]

5 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

Yes brother, those dead people there are the living in the new world. 

Not yet

[grain of mustard]

2 hours ago, Dages said:

Ainda não

Brothers, Jesus was appointed Judge by Jehovah, but He has not yet begun to act as such. Jesus begins to act as a judge in the Great Tribulation, separating the sheep from the goats. These are the LIVING who are in this period. This does not include the billions who have already died. After this, in the new world, Jesus will continue to act as Judge over those who are resurrected. So what I have said so far is that those who are already dead have already been judged to live in the new world. Jesus did not participate in this judgment. In the new world, after the resurrection of those who are dead, they will be judged again, and then by Jesus Christ. So when the Bible says that Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead, it is referring to the NEW WORLD. The dead of this system have already been judged by Jehovah.  

[Witness1970]

There are about 8 billion (8,000,000,000) people alive today.  And there are more billions presently in their grave.  I don't think I have time to make those judgements.   And even more so, I don't have the knowledge to make those judgements.  Just surprise me during the resurrection!

[carlos]

23 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

Just one detail, I think that Jesus is the Judge appointed by Jehovah, but to judge the living, not the dead. When we die we enter a condition called Sheol or Hades with hope of salvation or we enter the symbolic Gehenna of no resurrection. I believe that Jesus did not judge the dead who lived before Jesus came to earth or after.  

 

You may be right. We don't know if Jesus judged those people sent to Gehenna in ancient times, or if it was directly Jehovah. In any case, the result would have been the same.

[Frances Bennett]

Hey all,

 

Don't forget this article based on the new understanding from the 2021 AGM:

 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-september-2022/Is-Your-Name-in-the-Book-of-Life/#p62

 

It dovetails into the new "we do not know" understandings from the 2023 AGM quoted in the comment above by @minister159

 

In the box that the link above takes you to it clearly says whose name is not in the book of life, and therefore who is subject to eternal annihilation (and not going to be resurrected):

 

Not in the book

 

The goats. Wicked ones who reject Jehovah and who deliberately sin against the holy spirit. They will be destroyed at Armageddon.

 

So all goats will have committed the unforgivable sin. These are who will not be resurrected...(and who will be destroyed at Armageddon).

 

Everyone else, those who haven't committed the unforgivable sin or proved themselves righteousness - are considered "unrighteous" - the box explains:

 

“The unrighteous.” Those who did not serve Jehovah faithfully but who will be resurrected on earth. They will be given an opportunity to have their names written in the book of life.

 

So they will be given the opportunity to prove themselves righteousness in the 1000 year judgement day.

 

So the next question that we need a reminder on is "what is the unforgivable sin?" Because committing that is what means you won't get a resurrection...

 

Prerequisites for commiting the unforgivable sin:

1. It has to be willful and after receiving accurate knowledge - Hebrews 10:26 

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&bible=58010026&pub=nwtsty

2. If a sin is in ignorance it can be forgiven, so not a reason for eternal annihilation  - 1 Tim 1:13

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&bible=54001013&pub=nwtsty

3. The person has to be beyond repentance as outlined in this article where it describes it like this -

"However, a person can become so set in following a sinful course that he will never change his attitude or conduct"

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/unforgivable-sin/

So if we think of Mannaseh for example, he had accurate knowledge and he worked against the clear direction of Jehovah's spirit, BUT he was not beyond repentance...because eventually he did repent. Therefore he had not committed the unforgivable sin.

 

Had Mannaseh died before he repented he would be resurrected in the new World, because Jehovah would have known he was capable of repentance.

Therefore ONLY JEHOVAH AND JESUS can truly know who has committed the unforgivable sin, because only they know the persons capacity for repentance.

 

I tend to agree with those in your congregation @ucastrobr based on the above articles and scriptures.
 

Edited 7 hours ago by Frances Bennett

[carlos]

2 minutes ago, Frances Bennett said:

Therefore ONLY JEHOVAH AND JESUS can truly know who has committed the unforgivable sin, because only they know the persons capacity for repentance.

I tend to agree with those in your congregation @ucastrobr based on the above articles and scriptures.

 

From our previous discussions on this subject, Frances, I know we have a different outlook about it. Actually, I agree everything you mention in this post is correct. But people living today are not  different than people who lived in the past. If an important number of people living today will be goats, a similarly important number of people who lived in the past must have been goats too. Jehovah is not stricter now than he was in the past.

 

The "unforgivable sin" may sound like something absolutely terrible, but actually it just means not repenting. If someone led a more or less decent life but refused to serve Jehovah, and does not repent, that may well be the unforgivable sin. If Jesus doesn't see in that person's heart a possibility of repentance, there is no point in resurrecting him or her. 

 

Of course, we don't know how many people will ultimately be goats and how many won't be resurrected. They may be most or they may be just a few, or any point between those two extremes.

 

[Frances Bennett]

7 minutes ago, carlos said:

 

The "unforgivable sin" may sound like something absolutely terrible, but actually it just means not repenting. 

 

 

Ah hello 👋 

 

Actually it doesn't mean "not repenting" - As the article on the unforgivable sin above explains...it means "being so set in following a sinful course that he will never change his attitude or conduct"

 

This is absolutely crucial and is where what you have said differs from our current understanding according to the articles I have posted.

 

It may sound like a small point but actually it's a mahoosive point, especially when taken along with the other prerequisite of the unforgivable sin, which is having accurate knowledge and not being ignorant.

 

😊

Edited 7 hours ago by Frances Bennett

[Dages]

1 hour ago, Frances Bennett said:

he will never change his attitude or conduct

So... Not repent

 

[Dages]

5 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

The dead of this system have already been judged by Jehovah.  

Collectively yes. But individually, this system is still here and Jesus is king. He may be involved.

[Frances Bennett]

1 hour ago, Dages said:

So... Not repent

 

 

Sort of 😊 Instead be unable to repent, be beyond repentance, heart hardened.

 

For instance, let's make it personal,  think of a time you did something wrong and were at odds with Jehovah. During that time you did "not repent"...until you did!

 

If it was just "not repent" and Jehovah bought Armageddon at that point, by your reasoning you would have been destroyed.

 

However, with the idea that Jehovah looks to see if you can repent still, given the right conditions, and judges on that instead, you can see that this reflects the idea at 2 Peter 3:9 regarding Jehovah wanting all to attain to repentance.

 

So your next door neighbour who doesn't respond to us when we knock at the door might be in a state of unrepentance...but still be able to be bought to repentance given the right conditions. Jehovah wants them to attain to repentance and thats the key.

 

This applies to those who have died. If they passed away in a state of unrepentance, but still with the ability to be bought to repentance, then they will be resurrected.

[Frances Bennett]

Also this morning worship is so helpful from a couple of days ago...even those that practiced vile things...

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&lank=pub-jwbvod25_19_VIDEO

Edited 3 hours ago by Frances Bennett

[LeolaRootStew]

I don't think virtually everyone will be resurrected. Why would we be repeatedly told to preach with urgency if everyone will get another chance, regardless? Is it just to keep our spirituality strong? Why bother preaching at all if someone can only be rejected for resurrection if they were judged by Jehovah, which means they had to have accurate enough knowledge about Him in order to resist Him? Wouldn't it make more sense to never preach to anyone so they can all be resurrected because they were ignorant?

 

What is the benefit of preaching unless it saves lives?

[Frances Bennett]

19 minutes ago, LeolaRootStew said:

I don't think virtually everyone will be resurrected. Why would we be repeatedly told to preach with urgency if everyone will get another chance, regardless? Is it just to keep our spirituality strong? Why bother preaching at all if someone can only be rejected for resurrection if they were judged by Jehovah, which means they had to have accurate enough knowledge about Him in order to resist Him? Wouldn't it make more sense to never preach to anyone so they can all be resurrected because they were ignorant?

 

What is the benefit of preaching unless it saves lives?

 

Very good questions.

 

This one particularly...

 

"Wouldn't it make more sense to never preach to anyone so they can all be resurrected because they were ignorant?"

 

...was the question that set me on a massive bible study project!

 

There is the fact that the 144'000 had to be found of course.

 

And serving Jehovah is never a waste, whenever we come to it - that is the entire point of it all isn't it, to come to Jehovah through the truths taught by Jesus, in order to make a final answer personally during the final test?

 

Perhaps the preaching just continues on into the 1000 years up to the final test, in one big preaching campaign. Pre-armageddon and post, but Pre-armageddon the heavenly hope is held out and post only the earthly.

[Cool.As.Ice]

Piggybacking a little bit from the comments earlier:
 

I’m just glad that I don’t have the burden of making such decisions about the billions of people not only now living, but the countless multitudes of those that are still lying in the grave.

 

These days I’m too busy worrying about getting both myself and those whom I personally talk to; to the other side to find out who makes it and who doesn’t.

 

It is way beyond the capacity of my puny mind to understand how Jesus will execute such a task. Such is like asking me to solve an advanced calculus problem that only an experienced professor can solve; or trying to divide anything by 0.

 

At the end of the day, Frances brought out the important point: Leave these things to Jehovah, who has appointed Jesus to oversee these things.

Edited 2 hours ago by Cool.As.Ice

[LeolaRootStew]

6 minutes ago, Frances Bennett said:

 

Very good questions.

 

This one particularly...

 

"Wouldn't it make more sense to never preach to anyone so they can all be resurrected because they were ignorant?"

 

...was the question that set me on a massive bible study project!

 

There is the fact that the 144'000 had to be found of course.

 

And serving Jehovah is never a waste, whenever we come to it - that is the entire point of it all isn't it, to come to Jehovah through the truths taught by Jesus, in order to make a final answer personally during the final test?

 

Perhaps the preaching just continues on into the 1000 years up to the final test, in one big preaching campaign. Pre-armageddon and post, but Pre-armageddon the heavenly hope is held out and post only the earthly.

 

Well I guess I'll reflect a little more.

 

Maybe we're thinking selfishly. Since the big issue is about Jehovah's sovereignty, having spokesmen on earth to proclaim what will shortly take place advertises for Jehovah. It also makes Him a just God who tells you the consequences of your choice - most people don't even know there's a choice to make.

 

On a human level: If His people said nothing for centuries and then the end came, wouldn't people be outraged that they were never told of any of it? That they weren't allowed to take sides because no one informed them there was a war? Would they want to serve a God who essentially abandoned them after Jesus died?

 

On a personal level: Every person who becomes a Witness builds a life that has less self-created tragedy (drunk driving) and more hope for tragedies that are random (flash flood). The sooner we preach to people, the sooner they can straighten out their lives and feel peace. Can you claim to love your neighbor if you had a simple solution to their life-long illness and you never bothered to tell them?

[ladiife]

On 5/23/2025 at 4:43 PM, minister159 said:

Our understanding on this subject was clarified in the 5/24 WT study article 18. You may want to review what was stated there. Here is an excerpt from that article:

 

"Read Jeremiah 17:10. That verse helps us to summarize what we do know: Jehovah has always been the one “searching the heart, examining the innermost thoughts.” When it comes to the future resurrection, he will, as always, “give to each one according to his ways.” Jehovah will be firm when necessary but merciful whenever possible. So we should not assume that a person has no hope of a resurrection unless we know that to be the case!" --- par. 16

 

"Let us be determined to trust that Jehovah knows best. We recognize that we are not qualified to judge—but he is! (Read Isaiah 55:8, 9.) So we confidently leave all the judging to him and his Son, the King who perfectly reflects his Father’s justice and mercy." --- par. 19

Jehovah isn’t judging anyone. He has given that job to Jesus; for its written at John 5:22, 23 “²² For the Father judges no one at all, but he has entrusted all the judging to the Son,+²³ so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

[Frances Bennett]

@LeolaRootStew

 

I like your thinking!

 

If we only come at this from a reward / punishment basis are we really 'getting it'? I think not.

 

The good news needed to be preached right from when the kingdom was announced through Jesus ministry. Jesus is the way. Nobody comes to the father except through him. 

 

The Lords prayer gives us our priority list:

 

1. Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.   

 

This is what and why we need to preach - We are witnesses for Jehovah, after all, and we need to declare his name with every breath. We need to cry out at the injustice of his name being dragged through the dirt.

 

2. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth. 

 

This is ultimately how his name will be sanctified, it is the solution. We need to tell everybody that there is a solution! When they accept that he will see where they fit in, heavenly or earthly hope. They will also have a much happier life once they know and will make an answer to Satan in a limited way.

 

3. Give us today our bread for this day;  and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one...

 

Now our needs. After but actually still tied with the kingdom. How do we even get forgiveness? Only through the Ransom. Which is why nobody can come to Jehovah unless they come through Jesus. So that's why the kingdom was in their midst Luke 17:21

 

In all honesty, looking at the good news, will this message be different after Armageddon?

 

It's the same message until the final test. Only then will we gain everlasting life. Not at Armageddon.

Edited 2 hours ago by Frances Bennett