Question:  Dear Greg,

            I have a question that has troubled me for some time.

            Regarding the resurrection of the end time: if the parents have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them at the time of Jesus’ return, what becomes of the children that remain that have not received the Holy Spirit?

            I would gratefully appreciate your response.

            Yours faithfully,

            Ross

Answer:  Dear Ross,

            There is much about life eternal that we do not know because God has not revealed it to us.  Christians speculate about all of it—including topics like:

1.      Before the Second Coming—in what is called the intermediate state—whether the soul or spirit that goes back to God at death is conscious or unconscious (also called soul-sleep) in heaven.  Of course both views understand that the soul/spirit will be reunited with the resurrected body at the return of Christ.

2.      Whether Christians who are alive at the time of the Second Coming will be “raptured” a few years before the resurrection, and thus will already be “with” God.

3.      Who exactly will be resurrected—and who will not (the basis of your question).  The questions and speculations go on and on.

            God does not reveal any of this, other than to say that he is the judge and that he will judge in righteousness.  This fact should give us comfort even though we do not know specifics.  It is tempting for church and ministry leaders to speculate about specifics to either comfort and/or motivate Christians, but if God does not reveal details in the Bible we are wise not to do so.

            God is not cruel or harsh.  He is revealed to us as our heavenly Father who loves us so much that he sent his Son that we might not perish.  May we trust in that and be comforted.

            Thanks for reading the Plain Truth—we enjoy serving you!

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht