Actually several....
1. Is it true you believe that only 144,000 people are going to Heaven?
2. If that's true, why try to bring others to Christ?
3. How do you become one of the 144,000?
4. What happens if you're not one of the 144,000? Do you go to Hell despite having a relationship with God?
5. Why would God want us to believe in Him if He knew we weren't going to be one of the 144,000 who were going to go to Heaven?
2007-01-26 10:40:58 · 11 answers · asked by J-Dawn 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The preaching work is performed because Jesus commanded it, not because it benefits Jehovah's Witnesses personally or as a religion. As a side point,
Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses expect that many thousands of the 144,000 have never set foot in a Kingdom Hall or read 'The Watchtower'.
The fact is that the vast majority of Witnesses hope to enjoy life ON EARTH forever, rather than in heaven. Jehovah's Witnesses understand heaven to refer to the dwelling place of spirit creatures such as Jesus and the angels. They understand the Scriptures to teach that exactly 144,000 humans will join Christ Jesus as kings and priests to administer God's Kingdom (which will soon replace all earthly governments).
(Daniel 2:44) God of heaven will set up a kingdom... It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite
(Revelation 14:1) Lamb [Jesus] standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
(Revelation 20:6) they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him
The men and women who make up the 144,000 are selected by God from among two thousand years of Christians. Over whom will they rule? Over the vast majority of mankind, most of whom will have been raised from the dead after Armageddon.
(John 11:23,24) Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
Hell is NOT someplace/something mankind needs to fear; there is no suffering in the grave. Sometime after the resurrection, death and "hell" will themselves be destroyed.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all
(Ecclesiastes 9:10) there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into the lake of fire
Almighty Jehovah God selects those few who have the heavenly calling. Each person "feels" his own hope and each person's hope remains unquestioned by his fellow Christians. Still the vast majority (literally more than 99.9%*) of Jehovah's Witnesses expect an EARTHLY hope, the same hope given to Adam and Eve.
(Genesis 1:28) God blessed them and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill THE EARTH and subdue it [caps added]
(Genesis 2:17) You must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die [so never eating from that tree means never dying]
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
2007-01-26 14:00:14 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
1)Yes, we believe that only 144,000 from among the ages of mankind will go to heaven, and there rule over mankind with Jesus.
2) We believe that the majority of faithful mankind will be here on earth, where Jehovah intended for mankind to be from the beginning, bringing the earth to perfection, and becoming perfect ourselves. Only those ruling with Jesus will be in heaven, the majority will live forever here on earth.
3) Whether or not you are one of the marked 144,000 is between you and God. Those chosen by God have a mark that they know, and they are part of a covenant with Jehovah.
4) If you are not part of the 144,000, and you have lived a faithful life, you will be here, coming to perfection on earth, just like God intended for man to be when he created Adam and Eve. Hell is the common grave of mankind, and God gives us two choices: everlasting life here on earth or death. That is hell... death forever with no hope of a relationship with God.
Did this help at all? I didn't give you any backup scriptures, but if you would like to know more, you can contact your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, and they will be happy to answer these and any other questions you may have in your own home with your own Bible.
2007-01-26 11:11:15 · answer #2 · answered by themom 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
1) Yes, The book of Revelation makes it clear that it is only 144,000 spirit begotten sons of God that will go to heaven.
2) It is Gods original purpose for the earth to be inhabited with the children of Adam and Eve.
3) You are chosen by Jehovah and anointed with Holy Spirit.
4) Romans 5:12 explains this. Yes, we all go back to the dust from which the first human Adam was created from. But it is called a memorial tomb because we are in Jehovah's memory and will be resurrected in the New System of Things.
5) To achieve a heavenly life, you have to be chosen by Jehovah, and have his Holy Spirit bear witnesses with yours confirming the fact that when you die, you will go to heaven.
Do you know what you will do once you are there?
Most people desire to do the things they enjoy here on earth. Fishing, riding bikes, loving children, etc.
These are earthly thoughts and not heavenly thoughts so there fore you have the earthly hope.
That is, Life forever on a Paradise Earth like the one Adam and Eve lost.
2007-01-26 10:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Studied with Witnesses...
They believe the Earth will be returned to a paradise for us all to live. The 144,000 going to heaven will rule the Earth with Jesus and the Disciples. They are specially anointed individuals that God chose to fill this role. If you are not one of those 144,000, you will live forever in paradise on Earth with the others who are not forever separated from God. (They do not go to hell, they simply cease to exist)
2007-01-26 10:56:49 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ terry g ♥ 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
This is what the Bible says not just our opinion Rev 14:1-5 and since Jehovah is the one who has decided who is part of that small group that was started with the selection of Jesus Apostles and later enlarged at Pentecost and has been added to down to our day and theese called and chosen faithfull ones will not be sitting on clouds playing harps or some other stereotypes nor living in mansions but be very busy as Rev 20:6, 5:10 1st Cor 6:2,3 and prior to Jesus coming most never thought of going to Heaven but all were looking forward to life on a paradise earth as evidence in numerous scripture indicate Adam and Eve were to live forever on Earth them and their off spring forever note what Ps 37:9-11 ,29 and Isa 65:21-25 and Rev 21:1-4 also Rev 7:9-17 indicating two groups of people one here on earth a large or great crowd of people and a little flock in Heaven and if you are not one of the 144,000 you live here on a paradise earth as we were originally intended to look at the example of John the Baptizer he was Jesus 1st cousin and one with a good relationship both with Jesus and his father Jehovah God as Matt 11:11 brings out john would not be in that number going to Heaven neither will Moses Noah or Abraham all men of faith and good standing with God as Rom 9:16 says it is not up to us to decide who goes or stays as NO MAN MAKES THAT CHOICE IS ENTIRELY UP TO JEHOVAH GOD so no matter how much you may want it or think you deserve it it not your call enjoy what he has promised and be happy I know I will be best wishes Gorbalizer if I can help do not hesitate to ask
2007-01-26 11:34:30 · answer #5 · answered by gorbalizer 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
1. Yes
2. To live forever in paradise on earth.
3. Chosen by God
4. See 2. ( Live forever in paradise on earth.)
5. See 2 and 4. His purpose for the earth when he put Adam and Eve on it has not changed. Read Psalms 37-the entire chapter.
2007-01-26 17:51:13 · answer #6 · answered by girlinks 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think they believe something like, 144,000 will go to heaven, and the rest will be in Paradise on earth.
2007-01-26 10:47:41 · answer #7 · answered by justwondering 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
it is also in the king james bible about the 144,000 going to heaven. it also talks about the meek shall live on earth forever. hell is the common grave. when Jesus resurrected Lazarus here on earth. if he was in heaven he would of said something to Jesus Christ about it. also what kind of a friend would Jesus Christ be if his friend Lazarus was in heaven to bring him back to this garbage. if you want more information pleas see our website at www.watchtower.org
2007-01-26 12:40:48 · answer #8 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
1.Yes, 144,00 will rule as kings and priest with Christ Jesus.
2.Because mankind's original purpose was for perfect life forever and Jesus ministry on earth foretold this and he instructed his followers to make disciples.
3.Appointed by God Jehovah.
4.If your a faithful servant of God you will live forever on a paradise earth. Hell is not found in the Bible.
5.Again, God's purpose for mankind was to live in perfection forever on a paradise earth.
2007-01-26 10:54:12 · answer #9 · answered by joyofjoys 2 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Initially, I was a little hesitant about answering this question because I wasn't sure if your intentions were malicious. But, I must say, 95% of the answers you've received are a genuinely accurate representation of our beliefs, and I hope that your questions have been satisfactorily answered.
2007-01-26 13:04:16 · answer #10 · answered by C. J. 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋