DAILY TEXT, Friday, July 3, 2026. I, Jehovah, examine the heart to repay each one according to his conduct (Jer. 17:10).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2026

Friday, July 3, 2026

I, Jehovah, examine the heart to repay each one according to his conduct (Jer. 17:10).

In Jonah’s day, the Ninevites 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 also 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. Jehovah always examines “the heart” and analyzes “the innermost thoughts.” In deciding whom to resurrect, he will repay “each one according to his conduct.” Jehovah will be firm when necessary, but he will be merciful whenever possible. So we should never assume that a person will not be resurrected unless we know for certain because the Bible says so. w24.05 6 pars. 15, 16

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 was not. He meant it literally, just as he did when he spoke of the inhabitants of Nineveh. “The Day of Judgment” he spoke of here is surely the same judgment he mentioned when he spoke of the inhabitants of Nineveh. Both the Ninevites and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah did bad things. But the people of Nineveh had the opportunity to repent.

What will happen to the people who have died?

Since Adam and Eve joined Satan in rebellion against Jehovah, billions have died. Our “enemy, death,” has claimed countless lives (1 Cor. 15:26). What will happen to all these people? A group of 144,000 faithful Christians will be resurrected to heaven and will have immortal life (Rev. 14:1). A vast number of men and women who loved Jehovah will be brought back to life in the “resurrection of the righteous” and will live forever on earth if they remain faithful during Christ’s Thousand Year Reign and the final test (Dan. 12:13; Heb. 12:1). Also during the Millennium, the “unrighteous”—including those who never served Jehovah or who even “did bad things”—will have the opportunity to change their conduct and worship God (Luke 23:42, 43). However, some people were so wicked and so intent on rebelling against Jehovah that he has decided that they will not be resurrected (Luke 12:4, 5).

Why can we trust the decisions that Jehovah will make concerning those who have died? (Isaiah 55:8, 9)

Can we be absolutely certain that when Jehovah judges people, his decisions are always just? Of course we can! Like Abraham, we know that “the Judge of all the earth” is perfect, merciful, and infinitely wise. Jehovah has entrusted his Son with the responsibility of judging and has taught him how to do it (John 5:22). Both the Father and the Son can see what is in the heart (Matt. 9:4). So in every case, they will do “what is right.”

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