Acts 24:15
Acts 24:1515and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
A key text for the Watchtower's earthly hope. The resurrection of the unrighteous is understood as the raising of those who died without knowing Jehovah, so that they can be taught during the thousand-year reign and given a genuine opportunity. It is offered as the answer to the question of what happens to the billions who never heard.
Paul affirms a resurrection of both groups, and Christians affirm it with him. Nothing here is in dispute. What the verse does not say is what the unrighteous are raised for, and that has to come from elsewhere. Jesus supplies it at , using the same two-group structure: those who did good to a resurrection of life, those who practised vile things to a resurrection of judgment. Not a resurrection of instruction. has the same shape — everlasting life, or reproach and everlasting contempt. So the honest reading is that tells you both groups are raised, and tells you what for. Adding a teaching period in between is not drawn from either text. Then , the scene the Watchtower's hope leans on most, is a judgment on deeds already done and names already written. Approach this gently. The doctrine exists because Witnesses care about God being fair to people who never heard, which is a serious concern. Agree that God is just before you say anything else. Compare , , .