General Are there really two classes of Christians? What does the Bible really teach about the 144,000.

*The Real Truth About The 144,000* – Part 1

Spoiler Alert - According to the Bible, the great crowd go to heaven too!!!
Disclaimer – But that doesn’t mean that the great crowd are Jehovah’s Witnesses!

There are so very many things that the Watchtower Society teaches that are so very wrong. So much so, that most of it is almost completely opposite of the real truth. Just one of these false teachings is their belief about the two classes of Christians and the 144,000. So if you will allow me, I would love to share with you the real truth from the Bible on this subject. And just so you know, I was raised as a JW but then got saved/born again at age 29, and I’ve been a for real Christian in love with Jesus ever since, and I’m 56 now.

As you know, the Watchtower Society has taught you that there is an anointed class (little flock) and an earthly class (great crowd) and that only the 144,000 anointed class will go to heaven and the rest will live on a paradise earth, but that is so very wrong and so very easily disproved by scripture. Please allow me to do so for you.

Some of the scriptures that the Society uses out of context in order to begin establishing this false doctrine are as follows.

*Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.*

*John 10:16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.*

Now lets take a look at these scriptures in the light of what the rest of the bible says about them. In Romans 9 and Ephesians 2 it gives us a very good indication of who this little flock and other sheep represent. Notice that it speaks of two different groups of people.

*Romans 9:24 Even us whom He* (God) *called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.” 26 “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.”*

Notice that it spoke of two groups of people, the Jews and the Gentiles. Now let’s continue this study in Ephesians 2. Notice that it also talks about the Gentiles and Israel and them both being made one.

*Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.*

And Ephesians 3:6 says basically the same thing…

*Ephesians 3:6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,*

It is now becoming clear who the little flock and other sheep are. They are the Jews and the Gentiles respectively. The “little flock” that Jesus was referring to were those Israelites/Jews who believed in him at that time. The “other sheep which are not of this fold” are the Gentiles who would later become believers in Jesus Christ. And notice that it said he *“has made both one”.* Doesn’t that sound a lot like what Jesus said he would do in John 10:16 where he said *“…and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”* In context, he was talking about his sheep, and then said *“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”*

His sheep at the time were a small number (little flock) of believing Jews. So concerning Luke 12:32 where Jesus said *“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”* , consider this.

If I was speaking to a small church congregation and I said “Don’t be afraid little flock, God loves you and has given you access to his kingdom”, they would obviously understand that I was talking to them and calling them a little flock. Well Jesus was talking to a small crowd of Jewish believers and it was them that he was referring to when he called them a little flock. That’s plainly obvious, isn’t it.

So just to summarize, the “little flock” are the Israelites/Jews who believed in Jesus and the “other sheep which are not of this fold” are the Gentiles who would later become believers in Jesus.

Next, I will post Part 2 where I will more specifically discuss the 144,000 in detail. God bless you!

 

[Samizon]

*The Real Truth About The 144,000* – Part 2

As you know, the Watchtower Society teaches that the 144,000 spoken of in the book of Revelation are those who Jesus referred to as the little flock, and that these are a special anointed class and are the only group of Christians that can be born again and go to heaven. But again, this is so very wrong and is not at all supported by scripture! Let’s take a look at the scriptures concerning this in the book of Revelation.

*Revelation 7:2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the 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, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:*

First of all, notice that it says that the 144,000 are from the tribes of the children of Israel. Next it goes on to say that there are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes that are sealed, and it specifically names each tribe. The scriptures here go out of their way to make it very plain that this is literal. It is very obvious that this is specifically talking about Israel literally.

Verse 5 *of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;*

Verse 6 *of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;*

Verse 7 *of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;*

Verse 8 *of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.*

Since this is talking about Israel and is specifically naming each of the 12 tribes, then there is no way that this is somehow speaking symbolically of some kind of spiritual Israel. This is very obviously speaking literally about 144,000 children of Israel who become believers in Jesus the Messiah during the last days. These 144,000 are also described in more detail in Revelation 14.

*Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads…*

*4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.*

Notice that these scriptures give some strict qualifications for these 144,000.

First of all, as we read in Revelation 7, they have to be from one of the 12 tribes of Israel. That means that they must be direct descendants of one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who’s name was changed to Israel.

Secondly in Revelation 14, it says that they are virgins. So anyone who is married or has children or is not a virgin is disqualified according to the scripture. So that would even exclude most of the original 12 Apostles. This also disqualifies all of the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses as far as I know. So no member of the governing body is part of the 144,000 as they claim to be. Wow!

Also notice that the Bible said absolutely nothing at all about these 144,000 being some kind of special anointed class! That was completely made up by the Watchtower Society and has no basis at all in scripture! The 144,000 are simply virgin children of Israel who become believers in Jesus the Messiah during the last days.

And now let’s talk about the Great Crowd who the Watchtower says are the rest of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who don’t go to heaven but are resurrected to a paradise earth. Right after it talks about the 144,000 in Revelation 7:2-8 it immediately starts talking about the Great Crowd in the very next verse.

*Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God…*

Notice where the Bible says that this Great Crowd is. They are “standing before the throne”. So the question is where is the throne, on Earth or in Heaven? If we back up a few chapters in Revelation it tells us exactly where the throne is…

*Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.*

It tells us that the throne is in heaven. So going back to the Great Crowd which no man could number, where were they? Look again…

*Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number… standing before the throne and before the Lamb.*

They were “standing before the throne” which is “in heaven”! The Watchtower falsely teaches that the Great Crowd doesn’t go to heaven but that is completely opposite from what the Bible says!

The truth is, there is no such thing as two classes of Christians (anointed and earthy). All believers in Christ are anointed and are born again and will go to heaven; if they will just believe and accept what the Bibles says is for them, then they will receive it. And who does the Bible say is born again?

*1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,*

Who is born again? “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ”. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? If yes, then you are born again! That’s you, that’s anyone who believes! Whosoever believes in Jesus is born again! Not just some special group of people! The Bible is for you! The New Covenant is for you! Now start reading it in a whole new light, and find out what belongs to you in Christ!

Praise His holy name!!!

 

[Lori Jane]

Who is born again? “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ”. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? If yes, then you are born again! That’s you, that’s anyone who believes! Whosoever believes in Jesus is born again! Not just some special group of people! The Bible is for you! The New Covenant is for you! Now start reading it in a whole new light, and find out what belongs to you in Christ!

Love it! Thanks for the enthusiastic delivery! If you were giving a part at the KH you would get marked WELL DONE! lol

 

[Samizon]

Love it! Thanks for the enthusiastic delivery! If you were giving a part at the KH you would get marked WELL DONE! lol

Well, thank you so much Lori Jane!

 

[LeeB]

*The Real Truth About The 144,000* – Part 2

As you know, the Watchtower Society teaches that the 144,000 spoken of in the book of Revelation are those who Jesus referred to as the little flock, and that these are a special anointed class and are the only group of Christians that can be born again and go to heaven. But again, this is so very wrong and is not at all supported by scripture! Let’s take a look at the scriptures concerning this in the book of Revelation.

*Revelation 7:2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the 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, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:*

First of all, notice that it says that the 144,000 are from the tribes of the children of Israel. Next it goes on to say that there are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes that are sealed, and it specifically names each tribe. The scriptures here go out of their way to make it very plain that this is literal. It is very obvious that this is specifically talking about Israel literally.

Verse 5 *of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;*

Verse 6 *of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;*

Verse 7 *of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;*

Verse 8 *of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;*
*of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.*

Since this is talking about Israel and is specifically naming each of the 12 tribes, then there is no way that this is somehow speaking symbolically of some kind of spiritual Israel. This is very obviously speaking literally about 144,000 children of Israel who become believers in Jesus the Messiah during the last days. These 144,000 are also described in more detail in Revelation 14.

*Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads…*

*4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.*

Notice that these scriptures give some strict qualifications for these 144,000.

First of all, as we read in Revelation 7, they have to be from one of the 12 tribes of Israel. That means that they must be direct descendants of one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who’s name was changed to Israel.

Secondly in Revelation 14, it says that they are virgins. So anyone who is married or has children or is not a virgin is disqualified according to the scripture. So that would even exclude most of the original 12 Apostles. This also disqualifies all of the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses as far as I know. So no member of the governing body is part of the 144,000 as they claim to be. Wow!

Also notice that the Bible said absolutely nothing at all about these 144,000 being some kind of special anointed class! That was completely made up by the Watchtower Society and has no basis at all in scripture! The 144,000 are simply virgin children of Israel who become believers in Jesus the Messiah during the last days.

And now let’s talk about the Great Crowd who the Watchtower says are the rest of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who don’t go to heaven but are resurrected to a paradise earth. Right after it talks about the 144,000 in Revelation 7:2-8 it immediately starts talking about the Great Crowd in the very next verse.

*Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God…*

Notice where the Bible says that this Great Crowd is. They are “standing before the throne”. So the question is where is the throne, on Earth or in Heaven? If we back up a few chapters in Revelation it tells us exactly where the throne is…

*Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.*

It tells us that the throne is in heaven. So going back to the Great Crowd which no man could number, where were they? Look again…

*Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number… standing before the throne and before the Lamb.*

They were “standing before the throne” which is “in heaven”! The Watchtower falsely teaches that the Great Crowd doesn’t go to heaven but that is completely opposite from what the Bible says!

The truth is, there is no such thing as two classes of Christians (anointed and earthy). All believers in Christ are anointed and are born again and will go to heaven; if they will just believe and accept what the Bibles says is for them, then they will receive it. And who does the Bible say is born again?

*1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,*

Who is born again? “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ”. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? If yes, then you are born again! That’s you, that’s anyone who believes! Whosoever believes in Jesus is born again! Not just some special group of people! The Bible is for you! The New Covenant is for you! Now start reading it in a whole new light, and find out what belongs to you in Christ!

Praise His holy name!!!

James addressed his letter to, "the 12 tribes scattered abroad " Roman's 11:7-10 carnal Israel is blinded to this very day another group called the "elect" is mentioned here too. Who is the root, who are the branches. Roman's 9:6 "they are not all Israel who are of Israel." Galatians 6:16 "The Israel of God." There are not 2 classes of Christians but 2 groups from different times both anointed. Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree to replace the unbelieving carnal Israelites. The root of the olive tree are the faithful and some of them are mentioned in Hebrews 11. These 2 groups are the saints before and after Christ
and are the Israel of God. In Revelation 7 the great crowd are those who repent during the tribulation, Revelation 7:14. The 144,000 I think is a literal number because the great crowd cannot be numbered but the first group is. When we look at what Jesus said in Luke 13:23, Matthew 22:14, Matthew 7:13-14, about those who are saved it seems very shocking that it is few. Each one in his own order.

 

[LeeB]

Jesus told us that we must ask, seek and knock to receive. This combined with having the teacher of Holy Spirit can lead us into all truth. All study of scripture Must include prayer for answers, study of scripture and direction of the Spirit of the Father. Spiritual knowledge, wisdom and understanding is from the Spirit of the Father, it is by divine revelation to us just as it was to the prophets and apostles. This is why those without the Spirit can never find the truth. All the saints have this God given ability not just some person who claims to be your leader. Your leader is Christ and anyone who may appear as a leader should always make this clear. No one is to lord it over others as Peter said in 1Peter 5:1-4. In effect all the saints are prophets and prophetesses due to receiving Gods truth by revelation. Paul gave instructions on how a church meeting should be conducted: 1 Corinthians 14:26-39. Church meetings were never intended to ba a “one man show”.

 

[LeeB]

Many times the church is called the elect. Today these elect are scattered to the four winds. Many have been called but few became the elect. Israel was the elect under the old covenant and due to their constant rebellion against God, God divorced them. Jeremiah 3. This divorce will not be removed until Christ returns, then Israel will say blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. The church is indeed spiritual Israel and this is not a replacement theory because the new covenant was given to Abraham 400 years before God revealed the law to carnal Israel. Abraham was not a Jew or Israelite, he was a gentile. True Saints live by the same faith as Abraham. We cannot be made like God without God. This is what the law shows us and proves mother Eves deception in Genesis 3:4-6. This is the lesson of the school master that is to lead us to Christ. This is the law being used lawfully. Even the gentiles needed to be taught these things because this same law that condemned the Jews condemned them too. The two trees in Eden symbolized the two covenants; one life, the other death. Jesus became the tree of life producing good fruit but the tree of death no fruit. There are about 40,000 different churches today, separated by doctrine. Doctrine is very important. If you study what scripture says about doctrine you should conclude that all 40,000 churches can’t all be right. The trinity is not the only false doctrine, there are many more. If a church does not have true doctrine is it Christian? We know the end times are to be full of false prophets and teachers. Those who are the elect can’t be deceived, it is not possible. The Holy Spirit leads them into all truth, they have been set free. If members of these 40,000 churches were put on trial in court and accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict them? It is said there are 2.2 billion Christians today. What do you think? The 144,000 is an extremely small group. The innumerable multitude is an extremely large group. Both are Christian, both are in the first resurrection, it is just that the first group, the elect, have been faithful whereas the second were neither cold or hot.