JWs, How do you know that only the 144,000 is going to Heaven? How do the JWs know they are the ones chosen?

Question

for heaven?

Thanks you for taking the time to answer this!

God Bless You!!

Answer 1

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/

Answer 2

The 144,000 are some of those who reap the rewards of salvation. In the bible it tells also of a great multitude. "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands."

These people are a sign from the Lord. The great multitude encompasses many other people of the world as well. The 144,000 are 'sealed' from the dangers of the tribulation. The multitude are those who lived and perhaps died through it.

Answer 3

They are not. They are simply a cult, founded by Joseph Smith in the 19th century.

Of the twelve tribes the two tribes of Dan and Ephraim are missing, to be replaced by Joseph and Levi. In most of the OT lists Joseph is replaced by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen 48:5, Josh 14:3-4). Since both Joseph and Manasseh are listed then you could say that Manasseh is listed twice. Levi is excluded from most lists because he should not be included in a census (Num 1:49). In the lists of the inheritance of land Levi is missing because the priestly tribe of Levi did not have its own inheritance of Land (Deu 10:9), but was kept by means of the tithes of the other tribes (Deu 18:1). Instead the Lord was their inheritance (Deu 10:9). The fact that two out of the twelve tribes are missing is a major problem for those who take this list literally.
Judah rather than the literal firstborn Reuben is listed first. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. The right of the firstborn were given to Joseph (1 Chr 5:1).
The round numbers 12,000 for each of the twelve tribes would indicate that this is symbolic rather than literal. It also indicates not just a list but a census. The idea being that this is complete and perfect Israel.
The use of the number 144 and 12,000 in the passage concerning the New Jerusalem in which both OT and NT saints are clearly represented as the twelve tribes and twelve apostles would also indicate a spiritual meaning. The 144,000 being the elect of God from both OT and NT.
It is clear NT teaching that the true Israel consists of those who believe in Jesus (Gal 3:7; 3:29; 4:28).

The reason that Dan and Ephraim are missing is because both tribes went off into idolatry (Judg 18:30, Hosea 4:17, 13:12), and there will be no idolaters in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:8, 22:15). Joseph is included instead because he is a type of Christ; Joseph was unjustly sold for a sum of money, he was unjustly charged with rape, he was imprisoned but later raised to glory. Levi is included because it is the priestly tribe and the church is a kingdom of priests Rev 1:6. Judah is listed first because Jesus is from the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5) who is the firstborn from the dead (Col 1;18, Rev 1:5) and the firstborn of many brothers (Rom 8:29). Furthermore this list is also a census and in the OT those included in the census had to pay a ransom (Ex 30:12), so the 144,000 are ransomed. In Rev 7:4 he hears their number 144,000 and in Rev 7:9 he sees a great multitude that no one could count, it is likely that these two groups are one and the same. Finally Israel means one who overcomes (Gen 32:28) cf. Rev 2:7.

We should note that in the last list in the OT in Ezekiel 48:29-35 the twelve tribes are listed as:

Reuben, Judah, Levi
Joseph, Benjamin, Dan
Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun
Gad, Asher, Naphtali.

Answer 4

The 14th chapter of Revelation mentions 144,000. It depicts them as standing on top of Mount Zion with Jesus. It further goes on to say that only the 144,000 could master the song so as to ultimately qualify reign with Jesus. So, that's pretty clear.

All anointed persons have to be sealed with Jehovah's stamp of approval before they die. As an example, Paul wrote to the Philippians saying that he did not consider himself as having laid hold on the prize, but he was pursuing the upward call to see if he might attain it.

However, several years later Paul wrote to Timothy saying that he felt he had as good as received his reward. In other words he had been sealed. 2nd Timothy 4:6-8 says: "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the due time for my releasing is imminent. I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith. From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not only to me, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation."

So, all of the 144,000 are sealed before their deaths. In the case of 1st Century Christians they were individually given Jehovah's seal of approval at some point during their earthly course—even as Paul described above.

But, the sealing described in Revelation the 7th chapter is foretelling a mass sealing of all the remaining sons of the kingdom during the tribulation. That's also when the resurrection of the holy ones takes place.

So, those who died prior to Christ's arrival, but who were sealed, are resurrected nearly simultaneously as when the sealing of the remaining sons who are still alive. That's why Revelation pictures the entire body as being sealed.

The purpose of this final sealing of the remaining living saints is that it presents the Devil with an irresistible temptation. That's because the final sealing means that Jehovah is not going to do any more anointing—no more replacements. The sealing means that God is staking his entire purpose to the integrity of the remaining sealed individuals. No doubt this is what is likened to putting hooks in Satan's jaws and luring him to his own doom.

From Satan's perspective, though, it looks like a sure thing; all he has to do is force just one of the remaining sealed sons to be unfaithful to Jehovah and he wins. After all, a kingdom made up of 143,999 would mean that Jehovah lied. And keep in mind that Satan originally boasted that he could turn any creature away from God if he were allowed to really bring the pressure. So, Jehovah gives him one last shot at the remnant of the 144,000.

Of course, we know they will prove faithful to the death; but, this is what has to be played out for the record. That's why the 144,000 is a real number. Jehovah stakes his entire name and reputation on his ability to create a people who will prove faithful to him down to the last individual. By giving the exact number of those who will be faithful, Jehovah even stacks the deck against himself; in order to prove with finality that Satan is a gross liar and a colossal loser.

Answer 5

JWs believe that every one that believes in Jehovah but doesn't make it to heaven will live on Earth after Armageddon.

Answer 6

144,000 are a representation of the jewish people who are the chosen ones. but all who believe in yeshua (jesus) our lord and saviour will be going to heaven. jws are certainly not the chosen ones or the anointed ones in the 144,oo they can only come from the 12 tribes of isreal. but the vast throng will be made up of those who believe in yeshua our lord and saviour, jews and those faithful to god i..e those who do not worship 'false' gods.

Answer 7

the scriptures never do say that the 144,000 are a group of individuals. It clearly stated tribes. Unless all other Christian denominations are stupid, it is my understanding that a tribe consists of more than 1 person.

The WBTS uses numbers once again and comes up as always, inaccurate.

Go figure.

Answer 8

They self picked themselves for this calling, 144,000 jews from the 12 tribes of Isreal, can any JW that is going to heaven prove that he or she is from one of those tribes. it states in Revelation that they will be from those tribes.

Answer 9

Harpazo = Rapture

END-TIME BIBLE PROPHECY

The Messiah Lord Jesus said BIRTH PANGS would signal the time of the end (Matthew 24:8). There are NINE birth pangs, they are all PRE-TRIBULATIONAL and the 1st three already occurred.

The first birth pang was worldwide conflict coupled with famines and earthquakes (Matthew 24:7-8). Worldwide conflict was fulfilled in 1914-1918, major famines happened in 1918-1921 and most of the world’s major earthquakes began to occur since 1900.

The second birth pang was the restoration of a Jewish State (Ezekiel 20:33-38; Ezekiel 22:17-22; Ezekiel 36:22-24; Zephaniah 2:1-2). This was fulfilled in 1948.

The third birth pang was Jewish control of the Old City of Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1-2). For the third Jewish Temple (Tribulation Temple) to be rebuilt, Jerusalem needs to be under Jewish control and this was accomplished in the Six Day War in 1967.

The fourth birth pang will be the Ezekiel 38 war. Russia, allied states of Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany and Armenia will invade Israel. God will miraculously destroy the invading army by earthquake, civil war among the invading soldiers, pestilence, blood, flood, hailstones, fire and brimstone. This will bring a revival in Israel where many Jews will turn to the Lord, and Israel will spend 7 years and 7 months burying the bodies and burning for fuel the military equipment left behind (Ezekiel 39:9-16).

The 5th birth pang will be the development of a one world government (Daniel 7:23-24).

The 6th birth pang will be the splitting of the one world government into 10 kingdoms and this Ten Kingdom Stage will continue until mid-Tribulation (Daniel 7:24).

The 7th birth pang will be the revelation of the Antichrist (II Thessalonians 2:1-3; Daniel 7:24).

The 8th birth pang will be a period of peace and false security that will be shattered by the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).

The 9th and final birth pang before the Tribulation is the signing of the 7-year covenant between Israel and the Antichrist. THIS EVENT IS WHAT BEGINS THE (7-year) TRIBULATION - NOT THE RAPTURE!

The Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) is also a pre-tribulational event (Luke 21:34-37; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Revelation 3:10; Revelation 19:6-8). The fact that the Church is not mentioned in any of the Tribulation Scriptures proves the Rapture is pre-tribulational. All raptured Christians will receive glorified bodies (Romans 8:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54)) and it can happen at any second.


THE FIRST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION (SUPPORTING VERSES IN REVELATION 6-9 AND 17)

The Ministry of 144,000 sealed Jewish believers will bring many throughout the world to accept Christ.

There will be a powerful Ministry of Two Witnesses who will also be anointed Jewish believers.

A one world religious system (Babylon the Harlot) will rule. Under this one world religious system, many who are saved during the Tribulation will suffer persecution and death.

The Political system of the 10 kings of the one world government will continue.

During the first half of the Tribulation there will also be war, worldwide famine, death (1/4 of the world’s population will die), a huge earthquake, a blackout and a meteor shower. 1/3 of earth’s dry surface will be destroyed, 1/3 sea life and salt water will be destroyed, a fallen angel called Wormwood will make 1/3 of earth’s fresh water bitter, 1/3 of earth’s natural light sources will be destroyed, there will be another blackout and demons in the form of “locust-scorpions” will come up out of the abyss led by Abaddon their king and they will inflict harm and pain for five months upon those who are not sealed by God (unbelievers). Another demonic invasion will occur and the demons involved will be led by four fallen angels who will be released from the Euphrates River and this army will kill 1/3 of the earth’s population.


MID-TRIBULATION (SUPPORTING VERSES IN REVELATION 10-14 AND 17)

The Antichrist will war against the 10 kings, and during the war the Antichrist will be killed.

Satan will be cast out of the atmospheric heavens onto earth and will resurrect the Antichrist.

The Antichrist will kill 3 kings (the kings of Syria, Egypt and Mesopotamia) and the 7 other kings will submit to him.

The Antichrist will kill the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem and the wicked people will celebrate this event. Three and a half days afterwards, God will resurrect the Two Witnesses and take them up to Heaven and the people who celebrated will become terrified. The city of Jerusalem where the murder of the Two Witnesses occurred will then suffer an earthquake which will kill 7,000 people.

The False Prophet will receive from Satan the power to perform great miracles and will deceive many. The False Prophet will command all people to worship the Antichrist and have persons create an image to the Antichrist. The False Prophet will use his satanic powers to give it life and the ability to speak. The False Prophet will cause those who refuse to worship the Antichrist and the image to be killed.

The False Prophet will issue his own counterfeit seal known as the Mark of the Beast and it will be placed on all those who surrender to the Antichrist’s authority and accept him as god. Those who refuse to take this mark will not be able to buy or sell. Those who take this mark will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.

The Antichrist will break the seven-year covenant he made with Israel, cause the sacrifices to stop, sit in the Jewish Temple, declare to the world that he is really God and set up an idol called the Abomination of Desolation in the Temple (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15-16; 11Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:11-15).

Through the Antichrist and the False Prophet, Satan will attempt to destroy the Jews once and for all but he will fail because 1/3 of the Jews will succeed in fleeing into the wilderness. These Jews who escape will accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour during the Tribulation (Zechariah 13:7-9) and while they are in hiding, God will miraculously provide for them (Zechariah 13:8-9; Isaiah 41:17-20). Divine intervention will also destroy the pursuing army.


THE SECOND HALF OF THE TRIBULATION (SUPPORTING VERSES FOUND IN REVELATION 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)

In the second half of the Tribulation, those with the Mark of the Beast will suffer skin sores, the remainder of sea water and fresh water will be destroyed, the sun will cause terrible burns and the wicked will blaspheme God. There will be yet another blackout and persons will suffer gnawing pains.

Babylon will be the center of world economy and political system but Babylon will be swiftly destroyed by fire and become uninhabitable for man.

The Antichrist will locate the Jews who sought refuge in the wilderness and surround them with his armies to wipe them out. The Lord Jesus will then descend from Heaven with His angels and Saints. He will come with great glory riding upon a horse and will destroy the Antichrist, the False Prophet and all of their armies. After this, a loud voice will cry out “It is done!” followed by the greatest earthquake in the earth’s history and hail weighing 120 pounds will fall.

At the end of the Tribulation, there will be another blackout, the stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken (Matthew 24:29), the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be thrown into the eternal Lake of Fire and Satan will be cast into the Abyss and bound for 1,000 years.


THE MILLENNIUM

The Lord Jesus will reign over the entire earth during the Millennium. The Jewish and Gentile believers who survive the Tribulation will go on to populate the Millennium. Believers who died before and during the Tribulation and believers who were raptured will be present on earth during the Millennium and because they will have glorified bodies they will not reproduce. All believers will be given special tasks by the Lord Jesus (Revelation 20:4-6). There will be no wars (Isaiah 2:2-4), animals will return to the Edenic state and become vegetarians (Isaiah 11:6-9), people will not labour in vain but eat what they plant and inhabit what they build, there will be renovations in the heavens and earth and there will be righteous and unrighteous children born during the Millennium (Isaiah 65:17-25).

At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be loosed from the Abyss and will deceive and gather the unrighteous for a war against the righteous. This will be his final attempt to destroy the righteous and when the unrighteous of the Millennium surround the good people, God will send fire down from Heaven which will suddenly and massively annihilate all of the wicked people. Satan will then be cast into the Lake of Fire where he will remain in torment for eternity (Revelation 20:7-10).


THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

The Great White Throne Judgment will be the next main event. The old heavens and earth will be done away with and all will stand before God’s throne to be judged (Revelation 20:11-12). Those whose names are not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire which will be their final and eternal abode (Revelation 20:14-15).


THE ETERNAL ORDER (REVELATION 21 AND 22)

Those whose names are found in the Book of Life will enjoy paradise with God forever. The heavens and earth will be made new and the New Jerusalem will come down upon the earth making the earth like Heaven. All curses from the fall will be removed and the earth will be inhabited by the Triune God (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit), all angels and all of the righteous. The seas, moon, night and sun will be done away with and the glory of God will illuminate the earth. The River of Life will flow from God’s throne, the Tree of Life will bear health-giving fruits and leaves and the name of Jesus will be on the foreheads of all of the righteous.


God’s Plan of Salvation for Us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZkDk1GZ7do

Answer 10

JWs got it wrong.....they used to preach that only 144,000 were going to heaven until thier membership passed 144,000 now thay dont talk about it. Curious