1. Ðɛ́ mɔ̀ cɛ̃́ɛ́-ɖɛ̀ dè nyɔ hwòɖò dyi ɓɛ́ Jɛhova tɛ̀mɛ̀ìn ma Ééɓòɖòhɛ̃́ɛ̀ kɛ́?

 ABRAHAM and Jehovah talk about something that Abraham never forget about. God use one angel to tell Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The thing Jehovah say made that faithful man to worry. He ask Jehovah: “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? . . . Will the Judge of all the earth not do what is right?” Jehovah was really patient with His good friend Abraham and He help him to learn one important lesson that can benefit and comfort all of us: God will never destroy righteous people.— Gen. 18:​23-33.

2. Ðɛ́ tɛ̀mɛ̀ìn à dyí kà Jɛhovaa zaa-wɔ̃-po-poɔ̀ sɛ̀ɖɛ́ìn dyí ké ɔ ɓéɖé wìì kɛ́?

² Why we can be sure that when Jehovah judge people, he can be righteous and merciful? Because we know that “Jehovah sees into the heart” of people. (1 Sam. 16:7) In fact, he know “every human heart.” (1 Ki. 8:39; 1 Chron. 28:9) That wonderful truth here. Because Jehovah wise more than us, we will never be able to understand everything about while He can make certain decisions. That the reason why the apostle Paul say about Jehovah God: “How unsearchable his judgments are!”—Rom. 11:33.

3-4. Ðɛ́ à ɓɛ́ìn jè hwìɖìi poɛ̀n tiɔ̀ ɖíɛ ɓè ɓàɖàìn nyɛ́, ké ɖɛ́ à mu ɖɔ́ɔ́ kũin dèìn ɖé cɛ̃́ɛ́-ɖɛ̀ nìà kɛ múɛ́? (Jɔ̃́ɔ́ 5:​28, 29)

³ Sometime, we can still be having questions like the question them Abraham ask. Maybe we can be thinking: ‘It possible for the people who Jehovah destroy in Sodom and Gomorrah to come back to life? Some of them will be part of the “resurrection of . . . the unrighteous”?’—Acts 24:15.

 ⁴ Let go over what we understand about the resurrection. This few time, we receive new understanding about the “resurrection of life” and the “resurrection of judgment.” a (Read John 5:​28, 29.) This new understanding na help us to make more changes that we will talk about in this article and in the next one. First, we will talk about what we not know about the way Jehovah can judge, then, we will talk about what we know.

ÐƐ ƁÈ À SE DYÍ DYUÒ KƐ

5. Ðɛ́ à céè-ɖɛ̀ ɓèɔ̀ ɖà ma cɛ̃ kĩ́ín ɓá nyɔ ɓè gbɔ̀ɔ ma kà mú ɖé Sáɖɔ̀ùn-hwɔ̀ɖɔ̀ɔ̀ kè Gòmɔ́ɖɔ̀-hwɔ̀ɖɔ̀ɔ̀ múɛɛ jè dyíɛ́?

⁵ In the past, our publications talk about what will happen to those who Jehovah judge to be unrighteous. Before, we use to say that people who Jehovah destroy, like the people in Sodom and Gomorrah, not get any hope to be resurrected in the future. But after the faithful slave take their time to study and pray more about this matter, we can’t say for sure that they will not be resurrected. Why?

6. Ðɛ́ mɔ̀ dyí-tɛ̀mɛ̀in-ɖɛ̀ ɖíɛ ɓè ɓɛ́ ɔ tɛ̀mɛ̀ìn Jɛhovaa zaa-wɔ-po-po ɓá se-dyí-sɛ̀ɖɛ́ìn-nyɔ̀ ɓè jè dyíɛ́, ké ɖɛ́ à se dyí dyuò kɛ́?

⁶ Let look at some examples from the Bible. The Bible get plenty stories about how Jehovah destroy some unrighteous people. For example, during the flood Jehovah destroy everybody except Noah and his family. Also, he tell his people to destroy the seven nations that were in the Promise Land, and he use one angel to destroy 185,000 Assyrian soldiers just in one night. (Gen. 7:23; Deut. 7: 1-3; Isa. 37:​36, 37) In each of this story them, you think the Bible give us enough information for us to say that Jehovah destroy this people forever and they will never come back to life in the future? No. Why we say so?

7. Ðɛ́ à se dyí dyuò ɓá nyɔ ɓè gbɔ̀ɔ ma kà mú ɓó ní-tòɔ̀ tíin mɔɔ ti wa kpɔ̃ ma kénà-ɓòɖòɔ̀ kɛɛ jè dyíɛ́? (Dyé dyi-dyé-ɖɛ̀ nìà kpàa kɔ̃ún wɛ̃.)

⁷ We not know what judgement Jehovah pass on each of this people. And also, we not know whether those who were destroy was having the opportunity to learn about Jehovah and repent. In the story about the Flood, the Bible say that Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Pet. 2:5) But it not say that the time he was building that big ark, he was also trying to preach to everybody on the earth who was going to be destroy in the Flood. That the same way, we not know whether the wicked people who were destroy in Canaan were having the opportunity to learn about Jehovah and change their ways.

8. Ðɛ́ ɓè à se dyí dyuò ɓá nyɔ ɓè cĩ́ ma kà ɖé Sáɖɔ̀ùn-hwɔ̀ɖɔ̀ɔ̀ kè Gòmɔ́ɖɔ̀-hwɔ̀ɖɔ̀ɔ̀ múɛɛ jè dyíɛ́?

⁸ What about the people who Jehovah destroy in Sodom and Gomorrah? One righteous man name Lot, was living among them. But we know whether Lot preach to all of them? No. That true they were really wicked, but that all of them knew what was right and what was wrong? Remember, group of men in that city wanted to rape Lot visitors. The Bible say “from boy to old man,” was in that group. (Gen. 19:4; 2 Pet. 2:7) We really know whether our merciful God Jehovah na decide that none of this people them will come back to life? In fact, the city was not even having ten  righteous men. (Gen. 18:32) So Jehovah was right to destroy them because they were unrighteous. But you think we can say for sure that none of them will come back during the “resurrection of . . . the unrighteous”? No!

9. Ðɛ́ ɓè à se dyí dyuò ɓá Sã́ɖómà jé dyíɛ?

⁹ But the Bible also talk about some righteous people who became unrighteous. King Solomon that one example. He knew Jehovah good-good and the right way to worship Him. And Jehovah bless Solomon plenty, but later on, he started worshipping false gods. This one really made Jehovah vex and because of Solomon sins the Israelites suffer for plenty years. That true, the Bible say that Solomon “was laid to rest with his forefathers,” including faithful men like King David. (1 Ki. 11:​5-9, 43; 2 Ki. 23:13) But you think Jehovah will resurrect Solomon just because of the way they bury him? The Bible not tell us that one. Maybe some people will say, “the one who has died has been acquitted from his sin.” (Rom. 6:7) That true, but this one not mean that all those who na die get the right to come back to life. Resurrection that gift from our loving God. He can give it to people who he want for them to serve him forever. (Job 14:​13, 14; John 6:44) You think Solomon will get that gift? That Jehovah know the answer, we not know. All we know, Jehovah will do the right thing.

ÐƐ ƁÈ À DYUÒ DYÍ KƐ

10. Xwɛ̀ Jɛhova hwòɖòɔ̀ nyu nìɛ ɓá nyɔùn-dyu mú gbɔ̀ɔ gbɔ̀ɔ jè dyíɛ́? (Ìzíkìò 33:11) (Dyé dyi-dyé-ɖɛ̀ɔ̀ ɖekè.)

¹⁰ Read Ezekiel 33:11. In the Bible, Jehovah tell us how he feel about judging people. He told the apostle Peter to write the same thing the prophet Ezekiel write. He say, “Jehovah . . . does not desire anyone to be destroyed.” (2 Pet. 3:9) It can comfort us to know that Jehovah not quick to destroy people forever, except he get good reason to do it. He really merciful, and he can show mercy anytime he see the need.

11. Nyɛ́ ɓè se gĩɔ wóɖóɛ̀ mu kɛ́, ké xwɛ̀ à nyuɛ dyí dyuòɛ̀ kɛ́?

¹¹ Wetin we know about the people who will not be resurrected? That just few examples the Bible talk about. b Jesus make it clear that Judas Iscariot will not be resurrected. (Mark 14:21; see also John 17:12 and study note.) Judas knew that what he was doing was against Jehovah and His Son, but he still do it. (See Mark 3:29 and study notes.) That the same way, Jesus say some of the religious leaders who were against him will not be having the hope to be resurrected when they die. (Matt. 23:33; see John 19:11 and study note “the man.”) And the apostle Paul warn apostates that if they not repent, they will not be resurrected.—Heb. 6:​4-8; 10:29.

12. Ðɛ́ à dyuò dyí ɓá Jɛhovaa wìì jè dyíɛ́? Cɛ̃ ɔ hwɛìn-ɖɛ̀ ɓè jè

¹² But wetin we know about Jehovah mercy? Jehovah that merciful God, and so he not want for anybody to be destroy. How he na show mercy to some people who commit serious sins? King David commit some serious sins like adultery and killing. But David repent, so Jehovah show him mercy and forgave him. (2 Sam. 12:​1-13) King Manasseh did plenty  wicked things in his life. With all the wicked things he did, when he repent Jehovah show him mercy and forgave him. (2 Chron. 33:​9-16) This example them remind us that Jehovah can show mercy when he get good reason to do it. He will bring people them like this back to life because, when they got to know that they commit serious sins, they change their ways.

13. (a) Xwíníínɔ̀ nyɛ́ kɔ̃̀ jè Jɛhova dyé ma kà Nínívà-nyɔ̀ ɓèɔ̀ wììn nyɛ́? (b) Ðɛ́ Jízɛ̀ cɛ̃ ma ɖe ɓá Nínívà-nyɔ̀ ɓèɔ̀ jè dyíɛ́?

¹³ We also know about how Jehovah show mercy to the Ninevites. God tell Jonah: “Their wickedness has come to my attention.” But when they repent from their sins, Jehovah forgave them. Jehovah was merciful more than Jonah. Jonah was vex so God help him to see that the Ninevites “not even know right from wrong.” (Jonah 1:​1, 2; 3:10; 4:​9-11) Later on, Jesus use that example to teach about Jehovah justice and mercy. Jesus say that the Ninevites who repent will “rise up in the judgment.”—Matt. 12:41.

14. Ðɛ́ mɔ̀ wuɖu mɔ̀à “wa mu gĩɔ wóɖó, ké zaa mu wa kpɔ̃ùn” wɛ̃ɛ xwíníín ɓó Nínívà-nyɔ̀ ɓèɔ̀ bìì kɛ́?

¹⁴ What it mean that the Ninevites will “rise up in the judgment”? Jesus use to teach about the future “resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:29) He was talking about the time “the righteous and the unrighteous” will come back to life during his One Thousand Year Rule. (Acts 24:15) For the unrighteous, it will be “a resurrection of judgment.” That mean, after they come back to life, Jehovah and Jesus will be looking at them to see whether they will obey and apply the thing them they will learn. And if any of the Ninevite who will come back to life refuse to worship Jehovah, then Jehovah will destroy that person forever. (Isa. 65:20) But all those who will choose to worship Jehovah faithfully, will get the opportunity to live forever!—Dan. 12:2.

15. (a) Xwíníínɔ̀ nyɛ́ kɔ̃̀ jè à mɛ ɓɔ́á cɛ̃ɛ ká nyɔ séín ɓè gbɔ̀ɔ ma kà mú ɖé Sáɖɔ̀ùn-hwɔ̀ɖɔ̀ɔ̀ kè Gòmɔ́ɖɔ̀-hwɔ̀ɖɔ̀ɔ̀ múɛɛ sea gĩɔ wóɖóɛ̀ mú kɛ́? (b) Xwɛ̀ à ɓɛ́ìn wuɖu ɓè céèà ɖé Júɖè 7 múɛɛ múin wɔ̃́ɔ kɛ? (Dyé gbɔ̀ɖɔ̀ mɔ̀à “ Ðɛ́ Júɖè kpàìn ma hwòɖò” kɛ́?)

¹⁵ When Jesus was talking about the  people in Sodom and Gomorrah, he say it will be better for them “on Judgment Day” more than the people who rejected him and the things he was teaching. (Matt. 10:​14, 15; 11:​23, 24; Luke 10:12) Wetin he mean? Maybe we will be thinking that Jesus was just making thing big when he was saying this one. It looking like the same way he was not making things big when he was talking about the Ninevites, that the same way he was not making things big here. But it look like Jesus mean what he said. The “Judgment Day” he talk about for the Ninevites, that the same “Judgment Day” he was talking about for the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. Just like the Ninevites, the people in Sodom and Gomorrah did bad things. But the Ninevites were having the opportunity to repent. Also, remember what Jesus say about the “resurrection of judgment.” It will be for “those who practiced vile things.” (John 5:29) So maybe some of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah get hope. It possible that at least some of them will be resurrected, and maybe we will get the opportunity to teach them about Jehovah and Jesus Christ.

16. Ðɛ́ à dyuò ɓá kà Jɛhova dyuò nyɔ ɓè ɔ ké gĩɔ zà kɛɛ dyí kɛ́? (Jɛ̀ɖɛmadyà 17:10)

¹⁶ Read Jeremiah 17:10. This verse help us to know how Jehovah can judge people: Jehovah always been “searching the heart, examining the innermost thoughts.” So in the future when Jehovah decide who he will resurrect, he will “give to each one according to his ways.” When it necessary, Jehovah will take action against wicked people but he will show mercy when it possible. So we must never say that somebody will not be resurrected except we know that the Bible say it!

“ƁÓÐÓ-KPÁ GÀNÁƆ̀ ZAA-WƆ̃-PO-NYƆ̀ MU DYÍ-SƐ̀ÐƐ́ÌN-ÐƐ NYUÙN”

17. Ðɛ́ mɔ̀ ɖɛ ɓè mu kpáìn ɖé dyúa kɛ ɓéɖé ɓó nyɔ ɓè ɖàa mɛ kɛɛ bìì kɛ́?

¹⁷ From the time Adam and Eve join Satan and go against Jehovah God, plenty-plenty people na die. The “enemy, death,” na carry plenty people! (1 Cor.  15:26) What will happen to all this people them? From among them, one small group of people, the 144,000, Christ faithful followers will be resurrected to live in heaven forever. (Rev. 14:1) Plenty other faithful men and women who love Jehovah will be part of the “resurrection of . . . the righteous.” And they will live forever on earth if they remain righteous during Jesus One Thousand Year Rule and during the final test. (Dan. 12:13; Heb. 12:1) Also, during Jesus One Thousand Year Rule, “the unrighteous” that mean people who never serve Jehovah and even practiced bad things will get the opportunity to change their ways and serve Jehovah. (Luke 23:​42, 43) But some people were so wicked, and they make up their mind to go against Jehovah and his purpose. So He na decide that they will never be resurrected.—Luke 12:​4, 5. 

18-19. (a) Xwíníínɔ̀ nyɛ́ kɔ̃̀ jè à dèà hwòɖò kɔ̃ kà Jɛhova mu nyɔ ɓè ɖàa mɛ kɛɛ zaa wɔ̃ po wɛ̃́? (Àzédyà 55:​8, 9) (b) Ðɛ́ à mu ɖɔ́ɔ́ kũin dèìn ɖé cɛ̃́ɛ́-ɖɛ̀ kɔ̀à ɓó dyíɛɛ múɛ́?

¹⁸ You think we get good reason to be sure that when Jehovah judge people he can always make the right decision? Yes! Abraham understand good-good that, Jehovah that the perfect, all-wise, merciful “Judge of all the earth.” He na train his Son and gave him the responsibility to do all the judging. (John 5:22) Jehovah and Jesus know what in everybody heart. (Matt. 9:4) So when they judging each person, they will always do “what is right”!

¹⁹ So let continue to trust Jehovah and all his decisions. We know that we not qualify to judge, only Jehovah! (Read Isaiah 55:​8, 9.) That why we must trust Jehovah and his Son to do all the judging. And we know for sure that our king Jesus will follow his Pa example to show justice and mercy. (Isa. 11:​3, 4) But what we can say about how Jehovah and Jesus will judge people during the great tribulation? What we not know? And what we know? The next article will answer this question them.