JWs, if only 144,000 JWs will go to heaven, what makes you so sure you're one of the 144,000?

Question

if you're not sure, what's the point in being a JW?

Answer 1

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 vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses hope to enjoy life ON EARTH forever, rather than in heaven.

Jehovah's Witnesses 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. Jesus himself noted that those who are 'given' the administration of the Kingdom government would be a relatively "little flock", while all of Christianity constituted Christ's "other sheep".
...(Luke 12:32) Have no fear, LITTLE FLOCK [with a heavenly hope], because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom [to administer alongside the Christ] [caps added]
...(John 10:16) And I [Jesus] have OTHER SHEEP, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring [to be subjects of the kingdom government][caps added]

Those kingly, priestly administrators in God's government by Christ will assist in the rulership of heaven and earth (where most Christians who survive Armageddon will remain).
...(Revelation 7:9-11,13,14) Look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes... These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation [compare Matt 24:3,21]

Almighty Jehovah God selects those few who have the heavenly calling. Each person "feels" his own hope by means of holy spirit 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 meant never dying]

It follows that those resurrected after Armageddon will be resurrected to earth. It seems that the vast majority of dead humans will be resurrected, including the previously unrighteous.
...(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.”
...(Acts 24:15) There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/we/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 2

JW's believe that at the end of days, Christ will come back and select among the worthy the 144,000 that will help him to rule the new kingdom of God.

From my understanding, these 144,000 will be taken from both the living and/or the dead brought back to life.

Interestingly, JWs do not believe in hell. If you are not one of the 144,000 to ascend into heaven upon Christ's return, you are simply dead - no afterlife for you.

I am not a Witness, but I've had many friends who were.

Answer 3

I understand your confusion but 144,000 chosen ones on Earth are anointed and after they die, they are resurrected into heaven to serve as kings and priests in heaven. The rest of faithful ones on Earth are going to live on a perfect paradise Earth and become perfect. All the unrighteous ones
will be destroyed and done away with. We don't try to "recruit" people as you say. We just want to bring good news and a hope for the future to ones.

(Psalm 37:11) 11 But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.

(Psalm 37:29) 29 The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it.

(Revelation 7:2-4) And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising, having a seal of [the] living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:

(Revelation 9:4) And they were told to harm no vegetation of the earth nor any green thing nor any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

I do not know how they know the feeling that they have felt when they are anointed, since I am not. They do know though. The Holy Spirit reveals it to them.

If you need more info go to http://www.watchtower.org or contact your local kingdom hall.

Answer 4

that's what the Bible says that concerns, not us. All of you besides mght ignore (a) the easily quantity is nearer to twenty billion and (b) the earth is by no skill stated on your options. Jehovah's unique purpose became for the earth to continuously be inhabited. (Gen.a million:28) This purpose does not contain the wicked human beings. (Psalms 37:10, 11, 29) word vs. 29 surprisingly. those righteous will "stay continuously upon it." The e book of Joshua 21:40 5 exhibits not a promise of Jehovah has ever failed. So those are actually not any distinctive. while JWs point out the a hundred and forty four,000, why is it ridiculers by no skill point out the earth? They proceed to chant heaven and hell through fact the only recommendations. Revelations chapters 7 and 14 coach that style of persons who do pass to heaven in accordance to Jesus' covenant together with his human beings at Luke 22:28-30 to be a fastened quantity. a hundred and forty four,000 is stated thrice to coach that's a different quantity. It does not call them Jews all thrice. while it does call them Jews, they are actually not talked approximately as with the help of the names of the 12 tribes. an significant project to remember is that Christians have been now not created from basically Jews while this became written. notwithstanding to those reading Revelations, they might comprehend religious Israel may be a particular group of persons in worship to Jehovah. notice additionally ch.7:9, 13-17 of Revelations figuring out a "super CROWD which no guy became able to quantity". They proceed to exist the super Tribulation that's why they are giving such compliment to Jehovah's throne. vs. sixteen exhibits they are going to starvation and thirst not greater nor sizzling warmth from the solar. Vs. 17 exhibits they are going to be shepherded and guided with the help of that throne. All of this suggests being human. in basic terms human beings might prefer nutrition, water, and coaching and secure practices from that throne. Angels does not.

Answer 5

I was brought up as a Jehovahs Witness, and if you are one of the 144,000 you just know. It's a feeling that Jehovah puts in you. I can;t explain how the feeling is like because I'm not one, but if you want to learn more, I can help you if you'd like me to...

Answer 6

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 7

I am sure I am not one of them.

When I imagine everlasting life, I see (with my mind's eye);

**food
**a clean stream
**a cute little house with fruit trees all around it
**a few currently wild animals lying on the grass with a few currently tame ones
** sunshine
**green green grass under a blue blue sky
** food
** clean air
** neighbours who truly love you
**healthy and happy children running around
**food

Yes, if Jehovah sees fit to grant me everlasting life, I'll be right here on earth.

(Sorry I mentioned food so many times, I can't help it)

Answer 8

Actually, the majority of us make up the "great crowd" mentioned in Revelation 7:9. Those who will live in a Paradise earth. Psalms 37.

John: With God, nothing is impossible.

Answer 9

the rest of us are waiting for Armageddon and living on paradise earth like it was meant to be in the first place.God's plan has not changed for mankind.

Answer 10

I'm looking forward to the paradise earth when pain and suffering and death will be no more...and my handicapped son will be able to walk, talk, and do things for himself...the way Jehovah God intended us to be :-)