In JW
soteriology (I love using those big words—this one means salvation doctrine),
only 144,000 get to go to heaven (thus the term ‘Heavenly Hope.’) This group is
also called the ‘little flock,’ ‘anointed class’ and ‘the 144,000.’ This number
started to be filled at Pentecost and at this time (2020) about 20,000 remain
alive. (The exact number is hard to pin down. In 2005, there were slightly over
8,500 ‘anointed,’ but that number rose to 10,000 in 2008 and in 2020 there are over 20,000.) Only these 20,000 or
so can take communion (called memorial, go here to see my take on the WT's "communion") and are viewed as an ‘elite’ class. The
great task of those with a ‘Heavenly Hope,’ is that of providing ‘spiritual
food’ for the “other sheep” (those without a Heavenly Hope who will spend
eternity on a Paradise Earth.”) The
"other sheep" believe that the Bible was written only for the
144,000. Thus the 144,000 must interpret the Bible for the "other
sheep." They do this through the various publications of the Watchtower
Organization. For a comprehensive discussion of the topic Increasing Memorial Partakers go to JWfacts.com here.
The vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses (those with an “earthly hope,” also called the “earthly class,” or “other sheep”) must look to those with a “Heavenly Hope” to be their "mediator" between them and God.
“All who by reason of faith in Jehovah God and Christ Jesus dedicate themselves to do God’s will and then faithfully carry out their dedication will be rewarded with everlasting life. However, that life will not be the same for all. The Bible plainly shows that some of these, that is, 144,000, will share in heavenly glory with Christ Jesus, while the others will enjoy the blessings of life down here on earth.” “Let God be True,” p. 298.
It took quite a bit of scriptural twisting (See my blogs on “Twisted Scriptures and other Shenanigans Part 1 is here” and “Presto Change-O Part 1 is here”) to come up with this doctrine.
The 144,000 are mentioned in two chapters in the Bible—Revelation 7 and 14. Revelation 7:4 states, “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” Verses 5-8 states that 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel will make up this 144,000.
It appears that the WT may have a problem since the Bible specifically states that the 144,000 will be of Jewish decent. But what appears to be a problem to us is no problem at all for the WT. The WT simply states that the 144,000 (Revelation 4a) is a literal number but Revelation 4b—naming 12,000 each from the twelve tribes—is spiritual. With that kind of exegesis (another big word meaning: to investigate and express the true sense of Scripture) you can make the Bible say anything you want. But, might not a JW question the WT’s exegesis? Not if he/she wants to remain a JW in good standing. A good Witness is to:
“Avoid independent thinking . . . questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization (WTBTS).” WT, Jan 15, 1983, p. 22.
Revelation 14:4-5 reveals more information about the 144,000, it states: “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.“ The WT’s 144,000 is made up of both men and women, probably not all virgins and more than likely a few fibbers in the group.
The plain reading of Revelation 7 and 14 shows these obvious conclusions. The 144,000 are literal Jews from the 12 tribes with no Gentiles among them (7:4-8). They are all males (14:4) and virgins (14:4) and truthful (14:5). Of all the facts known about the 144,000, what gives the WT the right to say only the number, 144,000 is literal, and all the other ‘facts’ are figurative.
In the WT’s mind, this is what gives them the right:
“God has not arranged for that Word to speak independently or to shine forth life giving truths by itself. It is through his organization (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) God provides this light.” WT, May 1, 1957, p. 274
“Jehovah caused the Bible to be written in such a way that you need his human channel (WTBTS) to understand it.” WT, Feb. 15, 1981, p. 17.
'Earthly Hope' Part 2 is here.
The vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses (those with an “earthly hope,” also called the “earthly class,” or “other sheep”) must look to those with a “Heavenly Hope” to be their "mediator" between them and God.
“All who by reason of faith in Jehovah God and Christ Jesus dedicate themselves to do God’s will and then faithfully carry out their dedication will be rewarded with everlasting life. However, that life will not be the same for all. The Bible plainly shows that some of these, that is, 144,000, will share in heavenly glory with Christ Jesus, while the others will enjoy the blessings of life down here on earth.” “Let God be True,” p. 298.
It took quite a bit of scriptural twisting (See my blogs on “Twisted Scriptures and other Shenanigans Part 1 is here” and “Presto Change-O Part 1 is here”) to come up with this doctrine.
The 144,000 are mentioned in two chapters in the Bible—Revelation 7 and 14. Revelation 7:4 states, “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” Verses 5-8 states that 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel will make up this 144,000.
It appears that the WT may have a problem since the Bible specifically states that the 144,000 will be of Jewish decent. But what appears to be a problem to us is no problem at all for the WT. The WT simply states that the 144,000 (Revelation 4a) is a literal number but Revelation 4b—naming 12,000 each from the twelve tribes—is spiritual. With that kind of exegesis (another big word meaning: to investigate and express the true sense of Scripture) you can make the Bible say anything you want. But, might not a JW question the WT’s exegesis? Not if he/she wants to remain a JW in good standing. A good Witness is to:
“Avoid independent thinking . . . questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization (WTBTS).” WT, Jan 15, 1983, p. 22.
Revelation 14:4-5 reveals more information about the 144,000, it states: “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.“ The WT’s 144,000 is made up of both men and women, probably not all virgins and more than likely a few fibbers in the group.
The plain reading of Revelation 7 and 14 shows these obvious conclusions. The 144,000 are literal Jews from the 12 tribes with no Gentiles among them (7:4-8). They are all males (14:4) and virgins (14:4) and truthful (14:5). Of all the facts known about the 144,000, what gives the WT the right to say only the number, 144,000 is literal, and all the other ‘facts’ are figurative.
In the WT’s mind, this is what gives them the right:
“God has not arranged for that Word to speak independently or to shine forth life giving truths by itself. It is through his organization (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) God provides this light.” WT, May 1, 1957, p. 274
“Jehovah caused the Bible to be written in such a way that you need his human channel (WTBTS) to understand it.” WT, Feb. 15, 1981, p. 17.
'Earthly Hope' Part 2 is here.
2 comments:
Hello, JohnBoy.
I was reading over parts 1, 2 and 3 of your blog concerning the JW's "heavenly hope" and "earthly hope". I want to give you my thanks for sharing this information. For the past couple/few years (?? I lose track of time... it has probably been much longer) I have had JW's visiting my house, regularly. I am Christian, and I always entertain their visits and make every effort to be very friendly and cordial and share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ with them, without being aggressively confrontational. It has led to the original group of JWs who always came by, quite frequently (I'd say once per month would be frequent), which was mainly a woman and the various fellow JW's that she would always bring with her, to become who is now a man... who I believe is probably one of the pastors, or elders... whatever they call themselves... from the local JW "kingdom hall", and various fellow JWs he brings. I say that he is an elder or something because in his most recent visit he actually invited me to come to their service that following Sunday. He said he was going to be giving that day's message... to which I declined, advising that my wife and I will be attending our church service. :-)
I have been offering him scripture to bring to question what are some of their beliefs. I will confess, these frequent visits have led me to deeper study, better understanding the doctrine of The Trinity, the deity of Christ, the person of the Holy Spirit, and the subject of which you have written... "earthly hope" versus "heavenly hope", and many others.
Through it all, I always bear in mind the scripture where the apostle Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9:
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he who plants nor he who waters anything, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: You are God’s vineyard; you are God’s building.
I will convey to them the words of truth from God's word, and God takes it from there.
Thank you, in particular, for this blog, as it covers one point in which I have had previous conversations with the visiting JW's (when the woman used to come with her variety of friends). I mentioned the scripture in John 3, where Nicodemus visits Jesus and Jesus tells him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The response I got was interesting. The friend of the lady (who was also a lady) said, "I've never heard that before." The lady who always came said, "Oh, I don't have a heavenly hope. I have an earthly hope." But, the scripture clearly and plainly says, if you are not born again you "cannot see the kingdom of God". Maybe it at least planted the seed in the friend's heart. I don't think the one lady who regularly came took it to heart (maybe... who knows, right?). It is interesting that she eventually stopped coming and the man and his variety of friends have only come over the past year or more.
I see in your blogger profile that one of your favorite teachers is John MacArthur. He's one of my favorites, also. My wife and I attend, and are members of a church in which our pastor is a graduate of TMS. We have been attending for just over three years, and we love it, dearly.
Thank you, again, brother! I hope and pray that all is well with you and your family!
Thank you for this blog
hope it stays up -- need it right now
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