Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-12-05 WT Study (May 1, 2005 issue date) Review comments will be in black and parentheses () WT quotes from today’s WT will be in red and quotes "" Quotes from other sources will be in blue WHO WILL BE RESURRECTED? "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the
memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."-JOHN 5:28, 29.
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments Who does the WTS say will NOT be resurrected
Adam Eve Cain All the men, women, and children not on the Ark during the Flood People executed at Sodom and Gomorrah (actually they have been in and out of eternal destruction several times but since 1988 the WTS has consigned them to Gehenna) People executed in Israel at 607 BCE Those who sin against the holy spirit including; Unrepentant religious leaders of Jesus time Judas Iscariot Ananias and Sapphira People executed in Israel at 70 CE Suicides (no but now a maybe) Miscarried babies People executed during the great tribulation/Armageddon (including children)/anyone not a dedicated baptized JWDo you know what a judgment period is? Anyone executed during a judgment period will NOT be resurrected per the WTS. START OF ARTICLE SOMETHING very unusual occurred more than 3,500 years ago. Moses was caring for the sheep that belonged to the patriarch Jethro. Near Mount Horeb,
Jehovah's angel appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in the midst of a
thornbush. "As he kept looking, why, here the thornbush was burning with the
fire and yet the thornbush was not consumed," relates the Exodus account.
Then a voice called to him from the thornbush. "I am the God of your
father," the voice declared, "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the
God of Jacob."
(Exodus 3:1-6) Eater, in the first century C.E., those wordswere recalled by none other than God's own Son, Jesus.
Moses
I am the God of____Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."
Words recalled by none other than God’s own Son Jesus
2 Jesus was having a discussion with some Sadducees, who did not believe in
the resurrection
. Jesus declared: "That the dead are raised up even Mosesdisclosed, in the account about the thornbush, when he calls Jehovah 'the
God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob.' He is a God, not of the
dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him
." (Luke 20:27, 37,38) By saying these words, Jesus confirmed that from God's viewpoint the
long-dead Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still lived in God's memory. Like Job
,they await the end of their "compulsory service," their sleep in death. (Job
14:14) In God's new world, they will be resurrected.
Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrectionWhy no explanation? Does the WTS give one in any of their other publications? If so, why not put it here or refer to it?
Insight Book Volume 2 p. 839 Sadducees *** The precise time for the emergence of the Sadducees as a religious sect is not known. First historical mention of them by name appears in the writings of Josephus, which indicate that they opposed the Pharisees in the latter half of the second century B.C.E. (Jewish Antiquities, XIII, 293 [x, 6]) Josephus also provides information about their teachings. However, there is a question as to whether his presentation is completely factual. Unlike the Pharisees, says Josephus, the Sadducees denied the workings of fate, maintaining that an individual, by his own actions, was solely responsible for what befell him. (Jewish Antiquities, XIII, 172, 173 [v, 9]) They rejected the many oral traditions observed by the Pharisees and also Pharisaic belief in the immortality of the soul and in punishments or rewards after death. In their dealings with one another, the Sadducees were somewhat rough. They were said to be disputatious. According to Josephus, their teachings appealed to the wealthy.—Jewish Antiquities, XIII, 298 (x, 6); XVIII, 16, 17 (i, 4); The Jewish War, II, 162-166 (viii, 14). w95 3/15 pp. 27-28 "Watch Out for the Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees"In addition to rejecting predestination, the Sadducees refused to accept any teaching not mentioned explicitly in the Pentateuch, even if it was stated elsewhere in God’s Word. In fact, they "considered it a virtue to dispute" these matters. (The Jewish Encyclopedia) This calls to mind the occasion when they challenged Jesus concerning the resurrection.
He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.
So the Pharisees believed in the immortality of the soul and life after death and Sadducees rejected the teaching of resurrection because it was not found in the Pentateuch. But then the Sadduccees rejected the oral traditions that Jesus had said were contaminated the scriptures. Hmmmm.
Still lived in God’s memory
Except for the people mentioned above
In God’s new world
—new buzzword instead of new system of things, new earth, new order.3 What, though, about the billions of others who have died throughout human history? Will they too receive a resurrection? Before we can obtain a satisfying answer to that question, let us find out from God's Word where people go when they die. Billions of others who have died throughout human history
See list above.
Find out from God’s Word; really the WTS suppositions.Where Are the Dead? 4 The Bible declares that the dead are "conscious of nothing at all." At death there is no torment in hellfire, no agonizing wait in Limbo, but simply a return to the dust. Therefore, God's Word advises the living: "All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10; Genesis 3:19) "Sheol" is an unfamiliar term to many. It is a Hebrew word of uncertain derivation. Many religions teach that the dead are still alive, but as the inspired Word of God shows, those in Sheol are dead, without consciousness. Sheol is the common grave of mankind. No torment in hellfireThe teaching that lead Charles Taze Russell to reject organized religions and start independent Bible study groups.
No agonizing wait in LimboExcept for some ex-Catholic JWs, how many do you think will know what Limbo is?
w88 9/15 p. 4 Where Are Our Dead Loved Ones Now? /Where or What Is Limbo?The Concise Oxford Dictionary says that Limbo is a "region on border of hell, supposed abode of pre-Christian righteous persons and unbaptized infants; . . . condition of neglect or oblivion." Concerning Limbo, the New Catholic Encyclopedia says: "Today the term is used by theologians to designate the state and place either of those souls who did not merit hell and its eternal punishments but could not enter heaven before the Redemption (the fathers’ Limbo) or of those souls who are eternally excluded from the beatific vision because of original sin alone (the children’s Limbo)."However, the same encyclopedia also says: "The fate of infants dying without Baptism is indeed a very complex problem. . . . The question of Limbo still belongs among the unsettled questions of theology. An official endorsement of Limbo’s existence by the Church is not to be found." In confirmation of this, The New Encyclopædia Britannica states: "Because the Roman Catholic Church has never officially endorsed the doctrine of limbo as an existing state or place, the concept of limbo remains a question that is unsettled."
In spite of this, many devout Catholics accept the concept of Limbo. But please consider this point carefully: Why should babies be condemned to exist in a mysterious, incomprehensible place for all eternity simply because they were not baptized?
Why then does the WTS condemn babies to death at Armageddon for all eternity simply because they and their parents were not dedicated, baptized JWs?Sheol is an unfamiliar term to many (JWs)Those in Sheol are dead, without consciousnessReading this paragraph, do you think the average non-JW would be convinced of this statement?
5 In the Bible, we find the first occurrence of the word "Sheol" at Genesis 37:35. Following the apparent loss of his beloved son Joseph, the patriarch Jacob refused to take comfort, declaring: "I shall go down mourning to my son into Sheol!" Believing that his son was dead, Jacob desired to die and be in Sheol. Later, nine of Jacob's older children wanted to take his youngest son, Benjamin, down to Egypt to find relief from the famine. However, Jacob refused, saying: "My son will not go down with you men, because his brother is dead and he has been left by himself. If a fatal accident should befall him on the way on which you would go, then you would certainly bring down my gray hairs with grief to Sheol." (Genesis 42:36, 38) These two references link death, not some kind of afterlife, with Sheol. Jacob desired to die and be in SheolLink death, not some kind of afterlife with SheolWhat historically does Jewish history say about Sheol and doctrinal beliefs of religious leaders and the common people?
http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/beliefs/afterlife.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/aft_bibl1.htm
Perhaps you know of some others, even better.
6 The Genesis account reveals that Joseph had become the food administrator in Egypt. Consequently, Jacob was able to journey there for a joyous reunion with Joseph. After that, Jacob resided in that land until his death at the very advanced age of 147. According to his dying wishes, his sons took his remains and buried them in the cave of Machpelah in the land of Canaan. (Genesis 47:28; 49:29-31; 50:12, 13) Thus, Jacob joined Isaac, his father, and Abraham, his grandfather. Thus, Jacob joined Isaac, his father, and Abraham, his grandfather.A phrase that proves that someone will be resurrected. Otherwise it is straight to eternal destruction.
'Gathered to Their Forefathers' 7 Earlier, when Jehovah confirmed his covenant with Abraham and promised that his seed would become many, he indicated what would happen to Abraham. "As for you," Jehovah said, "you will go to your forefathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age." (Genesis 15:15) And this is exactly what happened. Genesis 25:8 states: "Then Abraham expired and died in a good old age, old and satisfied, and was gathered to his people." Who were these people? Genesis 11:10-26 lists his ancestors as far back as Noah's son Shem. So it was to these already sleeping in Sheol that Abraham was gathered at death.5, 6. At his death, where did Jacob go, and whom did he join there? You will go to your forefathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old ageGathered to his people; who are his ancestors back to NoahSo Abraham will be resurrected and all his ancestors back to Noah
Did you know that the WTS taught that in 1925 that the princes in the earth would be the resurrected Ancient Worthies, of which Abraham was one. That they would resurrected as perfect men to rule on earth in Jerusalem.
Proclaimers Book chap. 7 p. 78 Advertise the King and the Kingdom! (1919-1941) ***"We may confidently expect," stated the booklet Millions Now Living Will Never Die, back in 1920, "that 1925 will mark the return [from the dead] of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old . . . to the condition of human perfection."8 The expression "gathered to his people" occurs frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures. Thus, it is logical to conclude that Abraham's son Ishmael and Moses' brother, Aaron, both went to Sheol at their death, there to await a resurrection, (Genesis 25:17; Numbers 20:23-29) Accordingly, Moses too went to Sheol, although no one knew where his grave was. (Numbers 27:13; Deuteronomy 34:5, 6) Similarly, Joshua, Moses' successor as leader of Israel, along with a whole generation of people also descended to Sheol at death.-Judges 2:8-10. Gathered to his peopleLogical to conclude that Abrahams son Ishmael; and Aaron; Moses; JoshuaNot too many women mentioned
Did Achan and his family descend to Sheol?
w52 1/15 pp. 42-43 Training Children for Life in the New World ***At this point we must consider the matter of "family responsibility" as legally presented in the Scriptures. Under the Biblical principle of "family responsibility" where the father or the mother or both become iniquitous, adverse judgment comes upon the entire household of minor children. Take the example of Achan, who committed a fatal trespass against Jehovah. By so doing Achan brought condemnation upon his whole family of children and they were all stoned to death with him. (Josh. 7:1, 24, 25) Paul speaks of this principle in the reverse, which might be referred to as "family merit". If the father or the mother of a family is a believing and practicing Christian he or she brings merit to the entire family of children. Paul writes: "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would really be unclean, but now they are holy." (1 Cor. 7:14, NW) Therefore this proves that minor children of Christian parents are indirectly sanctified or counted worthy of protection in God’s sight until they reach the age of individual responsibility. Hence in this day of final judgment since 1918 parents are responsible for the final destiny of their minor children. When Armageddon strikes all minor children who are not under such "family merit" arrangement will meet annihilation with no hope of a resurrection. This is strongly indicated at Ezekiel 9:6 (AS), where it is written: "Slay utterly the old man, the young man and the virgin, and little children and women; but come not near any man upon whom is the mark."Can you think of some individuals or groups executed at the hand of Israelite soldiers? Will they be resurrected?
9 Centuries later, David became king of the 12 tribes of Israel. At his death, he "lay down with his forefathers." (1 Kings 2:10) Was he too in Sheol? Interestingly, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter referred to David's death and quoted Psalm 16: 10: "You will not leave my soul in Sheol." After mentioning that David was still in his tomb, Peter applied those words to Jesus and indicated that David "saw beforehand and spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he forsaken in Hades nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God resurrected, of which fact we are all witnesses." (Acts 2: 29-32) Peter here used the word "Hades," the Greek counterpart of the Hebrew word "Sheol." Thus, those said to be in Hades are in the same situation as those said to be in Sheol. They are sleeping, awaiting a resurrection. David; lay down with his forefathersAlthough committing adultery and then planning and having the womans husband killed, David will be resurrected.
Will King Saul?
Are There Unrighteous Ones in Sheol? 10 After Moses led the nation of Israel out of Egypt, a rebellion broke out in the wilderness. Moses told the people to separate themselves from the ringleaders--Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They would die violently. Moses explained: "If it is according to the death of all mankind that these people will die and with the punishment of all mankind that punishment will be brought upon them, then it is not Jehovah that has sent me. But if it is something created that Jehovah will create, and the ground has to open its mouth and swallow up them and everything that belongs to them and they have to go down alive into Sheol, you will then know for certain that these men have treated Jehovah disrespectfully." (Numbers 16:29, 30) So whether by the earth opening and swallowing them or by fire consuming them as in the case of Korah and the 250 Levites who sided with him, all these rebels ended up in Sheol, or Hades. -Numbers 26:10.Blurb on page 15: Like Abraham, those who go to Sheol are in line for a resurrection Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; go down alive to SheolA recent WTS drama compared those who speak against the WTS as having the same end as these men. That must mean they will be resurrected too.
11 Shimei, who had called down evil on King David, met his punishment at the hands of David's successor, Solomon. "Do not leave him unpunished," David commanded, "for you are a wise man and you well know what you ought to do to him, and you must bring his gray hairs down to Sheol with blood." Solomon had Benaiah execute the sentence. (1 Kings 2:8, 9, 44-46) Another victim of Benaiah's executional sword was Israel's former army chief Joab. His gray hairs did not "go down in peace to Sheol." (1 Kings 2:5, 6, 28-34) Both these examples testify to the truthfulness of David's inspired song: "Wicked people will turn back to Sheol, even all the nations forgetting God." -Psalm 9:17. Shimei; called down evil on King David; bring his gray hairs down to SheolDavid was anointed; does that mean if people call down evil on the WTS that they will be resurrected?
12 Ahithophel was personal adviser to David. His counsel was valued as though it was from Jehovah himself. (2 Samuel 16:23) Sadly, this trusted servant turned traitor and joined in a coup led by David's son Absalom. Apparently, David alluded to this defection when he wrote: "It was not an enemy that proceeded to reproach me; otherwise I could put up with it. It was not an intense hater of me that assumed great airs against me; otherwise I could conceal myself from him." David continued: "Desolations be upon them! Let them go down into Sheol alive; for during their alien residence bad things have been within them." (Psalm 55: 12-15) At their death, Ahithophel and his companions went to Sheol. Ahitophel; go down into Sheol aliveIf Ahitophel is used by the WTS as a type of Judas Iscariot, how is it that Judas is not in line for a resurrection?
Who Are in Gehenna? 13 Compare David's situation with that experienced by the Greater David, Jesus. One of Christ's 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot, turned traitor like Ahithophel. Judas' treacherous act was far more serious than that of Ahithophel. Judas acted against God's only-begotten Son. In a prayer at the end of his earthly ministry, God's Son reported about his followers: "When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; and I have kept them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled." (John 17: 12) By here referring to Judas as "the son of destruction," Jesus indicated that when Judas died, there was no hope of a return for him. He did not live on in God's memory. He went, not to Sheol, but to Gehenna. What is Gehenna?Blurb on page 16: Why did Adam and Eve, Cain, and Judas Iscariot go to Gehenna?w65 2/1 p. 84 Part Two ***In harmony with this fact David’s prayer was that those like Ahithophel committing treachery against him should go down alive into Sheol, just as the household of Korah, Dathan and Abiram had done in Moses’ day. However, Ahithophel was a prototype of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the real Christ to his enemies for thirty silver pieces of money. Hence, the crime of Judas Iscariot was far more serious than that of Ahithophel, and Jesus called Judas, not the son of Sheol, but "the son of destruction." Jesus also called him a "slanderer" or a "devil." (John 17:12; 6:70, 71) The destruction of Judas bars any resurrection for him.If being a slanderer makes one liable to eternal destruction, can you think of some JWs in your past that fit the bill?
Judas was destroyed, a son of destruction, but does that imply eternal destruction?
14 Jesus condemned the religious leaders of his day because they made each of their disciples "a subject for Gehenna." (Matthew 23:15) Back at that time, people were familiar with the Valley of Hinnom, an area used as a garbage dump where bodies of executed criminals who were deemed unworthy of proper burial were deposited. Earlier, Jesus himself had made mention of Gehenna in his Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:29, 30) Its symbolic meaning was clear to his listeners. Gehenna represented complete destruction without hope of a resurrection. Apart from Judas Iscariot of Jesus' day, have others gone to Gehenna rather than to Sheol, or Hades, at their death? Jesus condemned the religious leaders of his dayRemember this for their hope of resurrection
Gehenna; complete destruction without a hope of resurrectionWTS candidates so far for Gehenna; Judas, and Adam and Eve, and Cain
15 The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created perfect. Their fall into sin was deliberate. Before them was either everlasting life or death. They disobeyed God and sided with Satan. When they died, they had no prospect of benefiting from Christ's ransom sacrifice. Rather, they went to Gehenna. Adam and EveDid Pastor Russell and the early Bible Students teach that they would not be resurrected?
The "Jehovah's Witnesses" deny that Adam will ever have a resurrection, while the Scriptures plainly state that Jesus Christ tasted death "for every man." Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2: 5,6. Pastor Russell pointed out these Scriptures and many others such as 1 Cor. 15: 22, - "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Also Hosea 13:14, --"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: 0 death, I will be thy plagues; 0 grave, I will be thy destruction."http://www.nsbible.org/pastor_not_founder.htm
Even Rutherford taught that Adam would be resurrected. "Just when Adam will be awakened, only the Lord knows. It may be early or it may be late during the period of restoration" (J. F. Rutherford, Reconciliation, 1928, pp. 323, 324).Yet only 11 years later:"There is no promise found in the Scriptures that Adam's redemption and resurrection and salvation will take place at any time. Adam had a fair trial for life and completely failed" (J. F. Rutherford, Salvation, 1939, p. 43). .16 Adam's firstborn son, Cain, murdered his brother Abel and thereafter lived as a fugitive. The apostle John described Cain as one "who originated with the wicked one." (1 John 3:12) It is reasonable to conclude that like his parents, he went to Gehenna when he died. (Matthew 23:33, 35) What a contrast this is with the situation of righteous Abel! "By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which faith he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness respecting his gifts," explained Paul, adding, "and through it he, although he died, yet speaks." (Hebrews 11:4) Yes, Abel is presently in Sheol awaiting a resurrection. Cain; originated with the wicked oneCan you think of some people in history that could fit the same description? Does that mean it is reasonable to conclude that they will not be resurrected?
A "First" and a "Better" Resurrection 17 Many who read this will wonder about the situation of those who die during this "time of the end." (Daniel 8:19) Revelation chapter 6 describes the ride of four horsemen during that time. Interestingly, the last of these is named Death, and he is followed by Hades. Thus, many who die an untimely death from the activity of the preceding horsemen end up in Hades, there to await a resurrection in God's new world. (Revelation 6:8) What, then, are the prospects for those in Sheol (Hades) and those in Gehenna? Simply put, resurrection for the former; eternal destruction--nonexistence--for the latter. Those who die during this time of the endDie untimely death from the activity of the horsemenIn Sheol/Hades; resurrectionGehenna/no resurrectionThe WTS once taught that this was a judgment period and that the sheep and the goats were being separated based on the response of people to the WTS message. Thus it was probable that many had already been designated goats and when they died in this time of the end, they went to Gehenna. Thus, if a sisters non-JW husband died, no one could comfort her and say that she would see him in the resurrection.
w93 5/15 p. 31 Questions From Readers Will people be resurrected if they do not accept true Christianity now and die before the start of the great tribulation?It is good for all of us to resist any inclination to act as judges, recognizing that in the final analysis, Jehovah’s judgment by means of Jesus Christ is what counts. (John 5:22; Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1) But the Scriptures do provide some helpful information in answer to the foregoing question.Worldwide preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom is a vital aspect of ‘the sign of Jesus’ presence.’ This sign has been in evidence since early in this century. The preaching work is resulting in a dividing of the people of all nations in fulfillment of Jesus’ illustration of "the sheep" and "the goats." With the completion of this preaching and dividing activity, the "great tribulation" will bring the present wicked system of things to an end.—Matthew 24:3, 21, 22; 25:31-46.Jehovah, along with his Son, will judge whether any who reject the Kingdom message and die prior to the outbreak of the great tribulation are classed as goats. Jesus said that the goats "will depart into everlasting cutting-off." Therefore, we can conclude that those who are determined by God to be goats will not receive a resurrection. They have a judgment similar to that of those who "undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction" at the time of the great tribulation.—2 Thessalonians 1:9.But what about those who may not seem to have been sufficiently exposed to the Kingdom message so as to have been able to make an intelligent choice for or against the truth before they died during these "last days"?—2 Timothy 3:1.Many who die while the preaching work is in progress prior to the great tribulation will evidently receive a resurrection. This is indicated by what we read at Revelation 6:7, 8 concerning the ride of the symbolic horsemen. Many people have died as victims of wars, food shortages, and deadly plagues. Since it is "Hades" that claims these victims of "Death," they will be resurrected during Christ’s Millennial Reign, when Hades gives up all the dead in it. (Revelation 20:13) A number of those raised to life may have had some contact with the Kingdom message before they died.How grateful we can be that Jesus did not leave it up to humans to determine who are like sheep and who are like goats! Imperfect humans cannot properly evaluate how much of an opportunity a certain person had to hear and accept the good news. Can we know what his heart condition was or whether he truly loved righteousness? Can we measure how much his response might have been affected by his family, his religious background, or other influences? Obviously not. Yet, we can be sure that Jehovah God and Jesus Christ can evaluate such matters and then reach judgments that are perfect, just, and righteous.—Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 11:1-5.Hence, there is no reason for us to speculate about who among those who have died recently may or may not be resurrected. This is something we have not been authorized to do. (Compare Luke 12:13, 14.) It is far wiser for us to wait on the decisions of the righteous Judges, Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. This will give us more peace of mind as Jehovah’s servants. It will also help us to give better attention to what we have been assigned to do—‘go and make disciples of people of all the nations, teaching them to observe all the things Jesus commanded.’—Matthew 28:19, 20.w65 9/15 pp. 575-576 Questions from Readers ***Since millions of persons in China and other places have never heard the Kingdom message, will these people be preserved through the destruction of Babylon the Great and the war of Armageddon, or perhaps be resurrected later?—H.S., U.S.A.It is important to understand what the Bible says about the destruction to come at the end of this system of things. In his illustration of the sheep and the goats Jesus indicated that a separating work would be done "when the Son of man arrives in his glory," and that persons would be classed as either "sheep" or "goats." (Matt. 25:31-46) In part, the basis for the separation would be the reaction of people to the preaching of the good news of the established kingdom. That preaching work is now being done by Jehovah’s witnesses. Jesus explained that those on earth who favorably responded to that message and treated kindly its bearers would be classed as "sheep" and would enter into "everlasting life." The rest of mankind who did not respond favorably to the preaching work and offered no aid to those who carried the Kingdom message would be classed as "goats" and would go, not into a temporary death, but into "everlasting cutting-off" at the time when judgment is executed.But some persons, appreciating that millions of people are to be resurrected and given an opportunity to serve God, wonder if the millions of individuals living today who apparently have never heard the Kingdom message preached will be everlastingly destroyed without ever having had a witness about God’s purposes. It is true that at present it appears that there are vast numbers of mankind who have not heard the Kingdom preaching. Also, from what the Bible says and from conditions in the world, we know that we are in the "last days." But we do not know just how much more will be accomplished in preaching the Kingdom message before the end comes. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matt. 24:3-13) If at the end of the second world war someone had said that the Kingdom preaching would be carried out, by more than a million publishers, in over 190 lands, including communistic countries, many might have found that hard to believe. Yet, Jehovah has blessed his people, and that is exactly what is being accomplished. So, if it is Jehovah’s will to have this message personally carried to the millions on earth who seemingly have not yet heard it, that will be accomplished. If he chooses, he could see to it that this message is spread in ways that we cannot yet imagine. Jesus did foretell that "this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14) We can rest assured that God will see that the preaching work is done to his satisfaction. After that "the end" comes.Then those who correspond with "goats," whether in China or elsewhere, will be pronounced "cursed" and will not be permitted to survive that "end" into God’s new order of things. Since these go into symbolic "fire" (like the Devil and his angels), their punishment will be everlasting. They will never be resurrected.—Matt. 25:41-46.
w65 9/1 pp. 543-544 Questions from Readers • In view of what is stated at Hebrews 10:26, 27, will dedicated and baptized Christians with hopes of earthly life have a resurrection if they fall away from true worship and die before Armageddon?—P.G., U.S.A. That scripture reads: "If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition." An examination of the context shows that the apostle Paul was writing this to Christians who were in the new covenant, had been "sanctified" and so were in line to rule with Christ in heaven. (Heb. 10:15-18, 29; Rom. 8:16, 17; Rev. 5:10) Earlier in the same letter he wrote: "It is impossible as regards those who have once for all been enlightened, and who have tasted the heavenly free gift, and who have become partakers of holy spirit, and who have tasted the fine word of God and powers of the coming system of things, but who have fallen away, to revive them again to repentance, because they impale the Son of God afresh for themselves and expose him to public shame."—Heb. 6:4-6.While, in Hebrews chapters six and ten, Paul the apostle was discussing anointed Christians with heavenly hopes who "sin willfully" and refuse to repent, it is reasonable to conclude that the same principle would apply to those of the "great crowd" of "other sheep" with earthly hopes. (Rev. 7:9; John 10:16) If any dedicated Christian who had God’s spirit and the blessing of serving Jehovah turned his back on God, ‘sinned willfully,’ and died still refusing to repent, there is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that that person would receive a resurrection.Their situation is not like that of persons before Christ’s time who for a time served God and then fell away. Since we are all sinners condemned to death, the basis for any hope of a resurrection is the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 3:23, 24) Once a person has availed himself of that provision and then later rejects it, on what basis can he gain a right standing with God? What other sacrifice is there that can work in his behalf? If he commits some sin, he can seek forgiveness through Christ; but if he rejects Christ, there is no other provision that God has made. The apostle Paul wrote about such ones: "There is no longer any sacrifice for sins left." That would appear to be true whether the individual formerly had the hope of life in heaven or hope of eternal life on earth.Christians, then, ‘have need of endurance, in order that, after they have done the will of God, they may receive the fulfillment of the promise.’ So let us earnestly endeavor to be faithful in our service to God—"not the sort that shrink back to destruction, but the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul."—Heb. 10:36, 39.18 The apostle John wrote: "Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years." Those who will be corulers with Christ share in "the first resurrection," but what hope is there for the rest of mankind?-Revelation 20:6. First resurrectionThe WTS taught initially that the deceased 144,000 were resurrected in 1878; they now teach 1918.
yb75 p. 148 United States of America (Part Two) ***For example, it was in 1927 that The Watch Tower pointed out that the sleeping faithful members of the body of Christ were not resurrected in 1878 [as once thought]w88 10/15 pp. 12-13 "This Is the Day of All Days" ***In harmony with this and according to all the evidence, those of the anointed who had already died faithful began to be resurrected to their promised place in the heavenly sanctuary starting in 1918.19 From the days of God's servants Elijah and Elisha, the miracle of the resurrection brought people back to life. "Women received their dead by resurrection," recounted Paul, "but other men were tortured because they would not accept release by some ransom, in order that they might attain a better resurrection." Yes, these faithful integrity-keepers looked forward to a resurrection that would offer them, not just a few more years followed by death, but the prospect of everlasting life! That will indeed be "a better resurrection."-Hebrews 11:35. Elijah and Elisha; brought people back to lifeThese people died again
Actually, so did the people Jesus resurrected while he was on earth.
CARROT : Prospect of everlasting lifeBetter resurrectionIs that what the WTS taught was a better resurrection in the beginning?
They taught that the Ancient Worthies would be resurrected as perfect men, a better resurrection that the rest of the human family who would need 1,000 years to reach the same state.
"No doubt many boys and girls who read this book will live to see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, and those other men of old come forth in the glory of their better resurrection, of perfect in mind and body. It will not take long for Christ to appoint them to their post of honor and authority as his earthly representatives. The world and all the present conveniences will seen strange to them at first, but they will soon become accustomed to the new methods. They may have some amusing experiences at first; for they never saw telephones, radios, automobiles, electric lights, aeroplanes, steam engines, and many other things so familiar to us. (The Way To Paradise, 1924, p. 226) 20 If we die faithful before Jehovah brings an end to this wicked system, we have the sure hope of "a better resurrection," better in the sense that it is one with everlasting life in view. Jesus promised: "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." (John 5:28, 29) Our next article further considers the purpose of the resurrection. It will show how the resurrection hope strengthens us to be integrity-keepers and helps us to develop the spirit of self-sacrifice. If we die faithful before Jehovah brings an end to this wicked system (and all 6 billion people, men, women and children)Sure hope of a better resurrectionBut remember that DF’d and DA’d people go straight to Gehenna; do inactive JWs go to Limbo?
CARROT : Everlasting life in viewStrengthens us to be integrity-keepersDevelop spirit of self-sacrificeConcluding CommentsMillions now living will never die? Many older JWs believed that but are now facing sickness, old age, and death. After investing 40, 50, 60, 70 years of their lives, they will now have to test their belief in the WTS doctrine. Will they be resurrected? They will really learn what happens when we die.
Millions now living will die forever according to the WTS, including children. But that is not the message the WTS preaches.
Did you every ponder, how will I feel when my non-JW relatives and friends die? Will I truly rejoice in their descent to Gehenna?
Enough of that.
Have a good weekend; see a good movie if the weather is bad; find a music fest, a new jazz club opened up in my area. Kiss the ones you love.
Love, Blondie Questions1. What outstanding declaration did Moses hear at the burning thornbush, and who later recalled those words?2. 3. (a) What prospect awaits Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? (b) What questions arise?4. (a) Where do people go when they die? (b) What is Sheol?5, 6. At his death, where did Jacob go, and whom did he join there?7, 8. (a) Where did Abraham go at his death? Explain, (b) What shows that others entered Sheol at their death?9. (a) How does the Bible show that the Hebrew word "Sheol" and the Greek word "Hades" refer to the same place? (b) What prospect do those in Sheol, or Hades, have?10, 11. Why can we say that some unrighteous ones go to Sheol, or Hades, at their death?12. Who was Ahithophel, and where did he go at his death?13. Why is Judas called "the son of destruction"?14. What does Gehenna represent?15. 16. Who at death went to Gehenna, and why did they go there?17. (a) During this "time of the end," who go to Sheol? (b) What are the prospects for those in Sheol and for those in Gehenna?18. What prospect does "the first resurrection" offer?19. How do some benefit from "a better resurrection"?20. What will the next article consider? Do You Recall? Why is Jehovah described as the God "of the living"?What is the condition of those in Sheol?What are the prospects for those in Gehenna?How will some benefit from "a better resurrection"?