Is There Hope for the Dead?

Who will be resurrected later?

THE BIBLE'S ANSWER:  The inspired Scriptures record this speech given by the apostle Paul:  "I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." -Acts 24:15.

Who will be included in the group that Paul referred to as "the righteous"?  Consider an example.  The faithful man David was told toward the end of his life:  "You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days." (Daniel 12:13) Where will Daniel awake from the sleep of death?  "The righteous will possess the earth and they will live forever on it." (Psalm 37:29)  And Jesus foretold:  "Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)  Daniel and other faithful men and women will be raised to live on the earth once again, even eternally. 

Who will be included in the group that Paul called "the unrighteous"?  They are the billions of humans who have lived and died, many without ever having the opportunity  to understand and apply Bible truth. After their resurrection, they will be able to come to know and appreciate Jehovah and Jesus.  (John 17:3) All those who choose to serve God will have the prospect of living as long as Jehovah himself lives-forever. 

Next time: Is There Hope for the Dead? - What will earthly conditions be like?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015