Resurrection hope

When Jesus arrived at Bethany near Jerusalem, his friend Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus went to the burial place with Martha and Mary, sisters of the deceased man. Soon, a crowd gathered when they saw that Jesus had raised Lazarus back to life (John 11:21-24, 38-44). Martha received the good news about the dead, that God the Father would resurrect the dead to live on earth again (Job 14:14, 15). Those who obey God will live in Paradise (1 John 2:17) to experience this resurrection hope.

False teachings
The truth is that humans are made from dust (Genesis 2:7; 3:19). Ancient cultures taught that spirits live within the body of flesh, however this is a false teaching that Christendom has adopted. Humans are physical creatures and no part of us survives death, else Jesus' death would be in vain. When humans die, our brain dies too, and our thoughts perish. Thus, Lazarus said nothing about his experience of death, as the dead are conscious of nothing at all (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10). Since the Bible shows that the dead are unconscious, hellfire is another false teaching that slanders God. The very idea of tormenting anyone, let alone by fire disgusts him (Jeremiah 7:31). The dead can neither speak nor hear (Psalm 115:17). But some angels are wicked, and they may speak to people and pretend to be dead humans (2 Peter 2:4). God Jehovah forbids trying to inquire of the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11).

Hope
God made hope for the dead possible by sending his Son to die for us. So the resurrection tells us about God's love and undeserved kindness (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Many millions of people who are dead in the grave will return to life on earth. Even some who did not know God and who practiced bad things will be resurrected (Luke 23:43; Acts 24:15). The resurrected ones will be able to learn the truth about God and to exercise faith in Jesus by obeying him (Revelation 20:11-13). Those who return to life and do good things will be able to enjoy life forever on earth (John 5:28, 29).