There Will Be a Resurrection! - THEY "WILL HEAR HIS VOICE AND COME OUT"

In the past, those who were resurrected were reunited with their family and friends here on earth.  This will also happen in the future, but it will be much better.  Why? Because those who are brought back to life on earth will have the opportunity to live forever and never die again.  And  they will live in a  world  very different from the one we live in today.  There will be no war, no crime, and no sickness. 

Who will be resurrected?  Jesus said that "all those in the memorial tombs  will hear his voice and come out."  (John 5:28, 29)  And (Revelation 20:13)  tells us:  "The sea will give up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them."  Yes, billions of people  will live again.  The apostle Paul also said that both "the righteous and the unrighteous " will be resurrected.  (Read Acts 24:15)  What does that mean?

"The righteous" include faithful servants of Jehovah who lived before Jesus came to earth. People like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Ruth, and Esther will be resurrected to life here on earth.  You can read about some of those men and women in Hebrews, chapter 11.  What about Jehovah's faithful servants who die in our time? They are also "righteous"  so they will be resurrected.

"The unrighteous" include billions of people who did not have the opportunity to know Jehovah. Even though they died, Jehovah hasn't forgotten them. He will resurrect them, and they have the opportunity to learn about him and serve him. 

Does this mean that everyone who has died will be resurrected?  No.  Jesus said that some people would not be brought back to life.  (Luke 12:5) Who will decide whether a person will be resurrected or not?  Jehovah is the final judge, but he has given Jesus the authority "to be judge of the living and the dead." (Acts 10:42)  Anyone who is judged as wicked and unwilling to change will not be resurrected.  

Next time: There Will Be a Resurrection! -  RESURRECTION TO HEAVEN

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