The 144,000 (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            One of the unique teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses involves a group of people referred to as the 144,000.  In this article, we want to look at the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding this select number of individuals.  There are two passages of Scripture that reference the 144,000, Revelation 7:1-8 and Revelation 14:1-5. 

            The doctrine of the 144,000 involves a study called Eschatology, that is, the doctrine of final things.  It reveals where the saved will be in the hereafter according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  On the website, www.jw.org, this statement is made in an article entitled, “Heaven:  What Is Heaven?”:  “The Bible does not teach that earth is a temporary home where we await death and subsequent after life in heaven.”  This statement makes is sound like the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in heaven at all.  This is not the case.  They believe that only a select group of people will actually be in heaven.  These are the 144,000.  They are sometimes referred to as the “little flock.”  They are also viewed as the truly born-again children of God.  According to the Jehovah’s Witness, this select group of people is the one that has been appointed to rule over the other redeemed of the ages.  They write:  “In most lands, only a few people are rulers.  Since Jesus resurrects people to heavenly life so that they can rule over the earth, we would expect these to be few (Luke 12:32)” (Ibid.).  One of the “proof-texts” they use is Matthew 25:21 (see also v. 23).  This verse is part of the Parable of the Talents.  Two men, the five talent man and two talent man, are commended with these words:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  Notice, these two men are promised to be made rulers over many things. 

            Heaven will not be the home for most of the redeemed.  They will live on a restored paradise on earth.  This group is referred to by names such as the great crowd and the other sheep.  “The vast international company of ‘other sheep’ who do not partake, will enjoy everlasting life on the Paradise earth” (Watchtower, March 15, 1983, p. 9).  “These dedicated, baptized, ‘other sheep’ who of the ‘great crowd’ have not been begotten to be God’s spiritual sons, with a heavenly inheritance” (Holy Spirit, 1976, p. 157).  “Those that make up the ‘great crowd’ will live in ‘Paradise earth’ and serve the 144,000 in Heaven that make up the ‘little flock” (http://strivingforeternity.org/resources/world-religions/jehovah-witnesses/what-is-the-afterlife-in-jehovahs-witnesses/).  As you read their writings this placed called “Paradise earth,” is describe as follows:  1) a paradise, 2) a place of eternal life, 3) wickedness, war, crime, and violence will be gone, 4) there will be plenty of food, 5) a realm of ultimate peace, even between humans and animals, 6) a realm that will have no sickness, and 7) a place of total security for God’s children.

            The doctrine of the 144,000 is based upon at least several arguments:  first, the references to the 144,000 in the book of Revelation; second, the passages that refer to the new heavens and new earth; third, the teaching that the meek shall inherit the earth; fourth, the fact that death shall be no more and fifth, passages that distinguish between the little flock and the other flock.  We will close this article by quoting the passages in Revelation that speaks of the 144,000.  In our next article, we will deal with the arguments made by the Jehovah’s Witnesses that they believe support their teaching.

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.  And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand” (Rev. 7:1-8)  And again:  “ And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:  and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Rev. 14:1-5).