DAILY TEXT, Thursday, April 30, 2026. Jehovah forgives your sin. You will not die (2 Sam. 12:13).

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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Jehovah forgives your sin. You will not die (2 Sam. 12:13).

Jehovah is full of mercy and “does not want anyone to be destroyed” (2 Pet. 3:9). How did he show mercy to some who committed serious sins? King David committed adultery and murder, which were very serious sins, but he repented, and Jehovah showed him mercy and forgave him (2 Sam. 12:1-12). King Manasseh did terrible things for much of his life. Despite this king’s great wickedness, Jehovah showed him mercy and forgave him because he repented sincerely (2 Chron. 33:9-16). These examples remind us that Jehovah shows mercy whenever he finds a reason to do so. He will resurrect David and Manasseh because they realized they had committed terrible sins and repented. w24.05 4 par. 12

Why did Jehovah show mercy to the inhabitants of Nineveh?

We also know that Jehovah was merciful to the inhabitants of Nineveh. God told Jonah: “I have noticed your wickedness.” But when they repented of their sins, Jehovah was kind and forgave them. He showed far more mercy than Jonah. In fact, when the prophet became angry, God had to remind him that those people did not even know “the difference between right and wrong” (Jonah 1:1, 2; 3:10; 4:9-11).

What did Jesus say later about the inhabitants of Nineveh?

Later, Jesus used the example of the repentant inhabitants of Nineveh to highlight Jehovah’s justice and mercy. He said that they would stand up “in the judgment” (Matt. 12:41).

What opportunity will the Ninevites have during the “resurrection of judgment”?

In what “judgment” would the inhabitants of Nineveh rise? Jesus spoke of “a resurrection of judgment,” which would occur in the future (John 5:29). He was referring to his Thousand Year Reign, when there will be “a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous” (Acts 24:15). For the unrighteous, it will be “a resurrection of judgment” because Jehovah and Jesus will observe them to see if they obey and apply what they learn. If a Ninevite is resurrected but refuses to worship Jehovah, his judgment will end in a death sentence (Isaiah 65:20). But if he chooses to be faithful to Jehovah, the judgment will be favorable, and he will have the opportunity to live forever (Daniel 12:2).

Why shouldn't we say that no one from Sodom and Gomorrah will be resurrected?

Jesus said that “the Day of Judgment will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah” than for those who rejected him and his teachings (Matt. 10:14, 15; 11:23, 24; Luke 10:12). What did he mean? It might seem that Jesus was using hyperbole, but all indications are that he meant it literally, just as he did when speaking of the inhabitants of Nineveh. The “Day of Judgment” he spoke of here is surely the same judgment he mentioned when speaking of the inhabitants of Nineveh.

How can we understand the words of Jude 7?

Both the Ninevites and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah did bad things. But the people of Nineveh had the opportunity to repent. Also, remember that Jesus said there will be “a resurrection of judgment” for “those who did bad things” (John 5:29). So, it seems there may be hope for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is possible that at least some of them will be resurrected, and we can help them to come to know Jehovah and Jesus.

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