Here is a link to an earlier post:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/242210/1/Why-is-the-Harlot-not-in-the-lake-of-Fire
It's been some time since I last posted. My question that I posed on this forum was answered by a relative who happens to be an elder. To paraphrase in his opinion, all who die during the demise of Babylon the Great who are not true Christians plunge into the lake of fire and sulphur - the eternal second death! He feels that God is in control from the start of the Great Tribulation and therefore everyone (except true Christians) deemed worthy of death is judged for good.
I disagree.
The Governing Body recently published articles that support my opinion that people who die for whatever reason (natural or unnatural) during the ravaging of the Harlot may have the hope of a resurrection. They don't state this outright but here are the relevant highlights:
July 15 2013 Watchtower - "TELL US, WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE?"
12 Jesus' prophecy about the last days
reveals that he will for the very first time
act as Judge of all nations after the destruction
of false religion . As mentioned
in paragraph 8, some of the events that
will occur during that time are recorded
at Matthew 24:30, 31. When you examine
those verses, you will note that Jesus
there foretells events that are similar
to the ones he mentions in the parable
of the sheep and the goats. For example,
the Son of man comes with glory
and with angels; all tribes and nations
are gathered; those judged as sheep
"lift [their] heads up" because "everlasting
life" awaits them.[4] Those judged as
goats "beat themselves in lamentation,"
realizing that "everlasting cutting-off"
awaits them .-Matt. 25:31-33, 46.
Jesus is judging the living not the dead but wait there is more...
July 15 2013 Watchtower - "LOOK! I AM WITH YOU ALL THE DAYS"
14 During the great tribulation, after
all organized false religion has been destroyed,
former adherents will run for
cover but will find no secure place to
hide . (Luke 23:30; Rev. 6:15-17) Then, realizing
that there is no escape from destruction,
they will weep in desperation
and 'gnash their teeth' in anger. As Jesus
foretells in his prophecy about the great
tribulation, at that dark moment, they
"will beat themselves in lamentation."[5]
-Matt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7.
15 Fourth, pitched into the furnace.
What will happen to the bundles of
weeds? The angels "will pitch them into
the fiery furnace." (Matt. 13:42) That
means complete destruction. Hence,
those former adherents of false religious
organizations will be destroyed during
the final part of the great tribulation, Armageddon. -
Mal. 4:1.
It's clear to me that this hope has a leg to stand on. The second death is reserved for those who die during Armaggedon - the 'interval' alluded to by the Governing Body between the Harlot's demise and Armageddon is when Jesus apparently separates the sheep from the goats. Therefore in my opinion once the 'interval' has started - everyone who dies from that point on will be judged as worthy of the lake of fire and sulphur. Yes the article does not mention the fate of those who die before the separating of the sheep occurs but in my opinion they have said enough.
Your thoughts are most welcome.