On a former occasion, when speaking of the resurrection of the dead, Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28,29, Revised Standard Version) Here we are assured that just as Lazarus was called forth from the tomb, so all the dead will be called forth at the time of the general resurrection.

We  note that Jesus here also speaks of two general classes in the resurrection—those who have done good, and those who have done ill, or have failed to do good. Those who have done good are referred to in verse 24 as the believers of the present age. Of these it is said that they have everlasting life, and will not come into judgment. This means that upon the basis of faith, believers are no longer under condemnation to death, and are assured of everlasting life in the resurrection. These will not come into future judgment, for they pass their trial successfully in the present life.

These are the ones who, having done “good” by believing and following faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus, prove worthy of being called forth from death to a resurrection of “life.” But those who have not thus proved worthy are awakened from death and come into judgment, for their awakening will take place during the world’s thousand-year judgment day.—Acts 17:31; II Pet. 3:8; Rev. 20:6

The Greek word here translated “judgment” is krisis, and has the same meaning as our English word “crisis”. All who do not now prove worthy of life will face a crisis when awakened from the sleep of death. They will, of course, then be fully enlightened as to the issues involved, and the opportunity will be given them, based upon full understanding, of accepting the provision of life made for them through Christ and obeying the laws of the kingdom of Christ which will then be in control of the affairs of all mankind. If they do accept and obey, they will be restored to perfection of human life and live forever. This will be their full resurrection. If they do not accept and obey, they will be returned to death. Peter said concerning that time that those who do not obey “shall be destroyed from among the people.”—Acts 3:23

The believers of this age, who have proved worthy to live and reign with Christ, will come forth in the resurrection to “glory and honour and immortality.” (Rom. 2:7) Immortality is thus seen to be, not an inherent quality of man, but a glorious reward offered to those who are willing to suffer and to die with Jesus that they might live and reign with him. As joint-heirs with Jesus in his kingdom, these will also be co-judges with him during that future judgment day period.—I Cor. 6:2,3; Rev. 3:21; 5:10

Then the unbelieving world will be given an opportunity to believe, the dead being awakened from death that they might be given this opportunity. Those who do then believe will be restored to that perfection of human nature which was lost by Adam when he disobeyed God’s law and was sentenced to death, and they will live on the earth as humans forever.—Rev. 21:4

What a happy consummation of the divine plan this will be, for it means that the reign of sin and death which was brought about by the transgression of Adam in Eden is not to last forever and that all who have died during this long period of weeping are to be awakened and given an individual opportunity to obey the laws of God and to live forever.

The Scriptures state that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) But in order to believe on him they must receive a clear knowledge concerning him, and this they will receive during the future judgment day when awakened from death. This is a glorious hope for mankind, and God’s prophet David sets it forth symbolically and beautifully. We quote:

“Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the Lord: . . . for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”—Ps. 96:10-13

Indeed, there is life after death, because by divine power the dead will be restored to life. This is the great hope that is held out to us in the Word of God. It is the hope of the resurrection of the dead.