Of course, during their sleep of death there comes no change in their personality. Hence, what they did or how they lived during the current wicked system of things will affect them as to their inclinations or attitudes toward Christ’s kingdom.

9. Those thus affected by their former life pattern will have what two outcomes possible for them?

⁹ Yes, the former life pattern will affect the problem of the resurrected ones as to their conforming to Kingdom requirements for righteousness and their progress toward attaining perfect human life on earth. There will then be two outcomes possible. As Jesus indicated, at John 5:28, 29, they will either turn to the course of doing good things or turn to the practicing of vile things. With what respective consequences?

10. In the expression “a resurrection of life,” what does “life” mean?

¹⁰ Jesus pointed to such consequences when he spoke of “a resurrection of life” and “a resurrection of judgment.” By the word “life” in this context, Jesus did not mean the measure of life that individuals have on coming out of the memorial tombs. Otherwise, not only would the doers of good things have “a resurrection of life,” but the practicers of vile things would likewise have such a resurrection, forasmuch as they also would have to start off by being made alive on earth. So, “life” as used in John 5:29 means perfection of life as attained by some at the end of Christ’s reign through their persistent doing of good things in obedience to his kingdom and judgeship.

11. In the expression “a resurrection of judgment,” what does “judgment” mean?

¹¹ Similarly, “judgment” represents what results to other individuals either during or by the close of the millennial “day of judgment.” In John 5:29 “judgment” means the opposite of “life.” Hence, it means a condemnatory judgment, a sentencing of the practicers of vile things to eternal destruction. This is a destruction of soul and body in Gehenna.​—Matt. 10:28.

12. So, then, what two possible finales are there to which a person’s being resurrected under Christ’s kingdom may lead?

¹² Thus there are two possible finales to either one of which a person’s being resurrected under Christ’s kingdom may lead, either perfect human life or judgment that results in a loss of all life. Nicely An American Translation renders John 5:29 so as to read: “will come out to resurrection and life, and . . . to resurrection and judgment.”