HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div  

What Will It Be Like to Be Resurrected?

What will it be like for those raised to life again in the resurrection described in Ezekiel’s vision? Suddenly being raised back to physical life will certainly come as a shock to just about everyone affected!

It’s likely that many will find themselves in a similar condition to those at the beginning of JEHOVAH’s millennial reign, where many will have lived through the terrible trials and tribulations just prior to JEHOVAH God’s return. Their needs would be similar — food, shelter, emotional healing and someone (actually those faithful servants of JEHOVAH God already raised to everlasting spirit life at JEHOVAH’s return a thousand years earlier) to comfort them and explain what has happened — giving them hope and help through the psychological trauma

• Revelation 5:10; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
• Revelation 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Many who will rise in this White Throne Judgment period after the Millennium may have died peacefully and undoubtedly will be overjoyed by suddenly having a new life and breath. However, the likelihood is that just as many will have died facing disasters and distress — death on a battlefield, starvation, horrific illness, natural disasters, drowning at sea (Revelation 20:13) and who knows what else. Some will be resurrected having been career criminals. Some will have died in accidents, others from drink- or drug-induced stupors.

From the descriptions given in Ezekiel 37:11–14, it seems unlikely that JEHOVAH God will miraculously blot out all these memories (although He may alleviate some of the worst ones). Those mentioned in this passage remember their past lives — their memories leaving them with a sense of hopelessness (verse 11).

Perhaps JEHOVAH will use these terrible memories as a basis for healing of a different kind. Recovery from trauma can be a slow and painful process. While the grief of losing loved ones in death will no doubt be quickly overcome as people realize their loved ones have also been resurrected, there will be other emotional and psychological issues to deal with and overcome.

Severe anger, hatred and a desire for vengeance could be particular challenges. This kind of healing can take many months and even years — talking through, coming to terms with the circumstances and finally resolving the whole matter. Learning about the need to forgive and how to forgive is a vital part of the process.

But why would JEHOVAH God want people to go through this kind of healing process? Why would He not just supernaturally remove all the awful memories and angry thoughts? Because all must learn not just about how sin causes untold suffering, but also how to value the newfound opportunity for everlasting life — avoiding those sinful thoughts and actions that if unchecked would eventually result in the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). Those resurrected will have to be taught a deep appreciation of JEHOVAH’s plan of salvation.

They will have to learn that the Messiah is their personal Saviour who suffered an ignominious death by crucifixion so that they could be forgiven and reconciled to JEHOVAH God the Father. The salvation process of true repentance, water baptism and the receiving of the holy spirit for inward transformation helps bring true emotional and psychological healing (Acts 2:38).

It is the process that JEHOVAH God uses today, it is the process that will be used during the millennial rule of JEHOVAH God and the Messiah, and it is the process that JEHOVAH will use during the White Throne Judgment period. But the comfort provided by the already spiritually transformed saints of JEHOVAH God will also be an essential part of supporting the salvation process.

Thank you and hope and pray, that your patience through the last few days will benefit your spirit and soul. These are messages we need to hear in these last days and I pray God’s blessings on us. AMEN