When Jehovah created Adam, he created him with a physical body of flesh and blood

He gave him the mandate of bearing children and living on earth. (Gen. 1:28)

That privilege was not given to angels in heaven.

When Adam disobeyed Jehovah by eating the forbidden fruit he was driven out of the garden of Eden. Jehovah said that he would die and return to the dust from where he was made. (Gen. 3:19)

Hence millions have died ever since then. (Rom. 5:12)

However, the Almighty God sent Jesus to die as a ransom to liberate mankind from Adam’s sin. This he did and went back to heaven.

Jehovah has invited 144,000 persons among those who believe in Jesus to come to heaven and reign with him. (Rev 14:1-3; 5:10)

These ones must die like Jesus and be given a spiritual resurrection. Their fleshly bodies will be transformed into glorious bodies in heaven. In fact, they are referred to as citizens of heaven. (Phi. 3:20, 21)

All other humans who are righteous will be given everlasting life on earth due to the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)

All those who have died who are not invited to heaven will live on earth.

All those who have died among them will have a physical resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:40)

Hence it is spiritual resurrection for the 144,000 who are invited to heaven and a physical resurrection for those who will live in paradise on earth.

•Matthew Olajide Akinwale, a devout Bible student and one-time missionary of Jehovah’s Witnesses, submitted this article before his recent death at the age 90.