The J.W’s claim that Scripture tells us that only 144,000 people have a ‘heavenly calling’.  They go to great lengths to convince us that all other believers will live on earth forever, being ruled by the 144,000.  

 

We have already looked at several scriptures above, which tell us that all believers are promised a place in the kingdom of the heavens.  But let’s look at more of Philippians 3 -   “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” (Phil.3:13-15)  Paul does not tell the Philippians that some will go heavenward and others will stay on earth, he says, “God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.”  This passage of scripture is a warning to the Philippians not to be lead astray by other teachings.  He says in verse 18 “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”  He then goes on to say, (as quoted above) “their glory is their shame.  Their mind is on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven.” (vs.19-20).  As with all scripture, it is better to read the entire passage, rather than just the verses I have quoted.  Pray about these things, “And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” (Phil. 3:15)

The J.W’s claim that without their guidance, it is impossible for anyone to know what Scripture is actually telling us.  But as we read above, those who are filled with the Spirit of God are told, “God will make it clear to you”. 

 

The J.W’s tell us that the 144,000 mentioned in the book of Revelation, are the only ones redeemed from the earth, and that everyone else will have to stay here.  But is that what the Bible says?  As always, we must read scriptures in context to get to the truth. 

 

If we want to know whether or not others are actually in heaven along with the 144,000, we simply need to read the scriptures surrounding the passages about the 144,000.  What do these passages in the book of Revelation actually tell us? 

We first read about “the 144,000” in Rev. 7:3-8.  It says “‘Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God’.  Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel”.

From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,

from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

from the tribe of Asher 12,000,

from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,

from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,

from the tribe of Levi 12,000,

from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,

from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,

from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.”

We are told very clearly that these people are “servants of our God”.  We are also told very clearly that they are from “the tribes of Israel”.  The J.W’s dispute this.   Once again, they tell us that “the tribes of Israel” is merely a use of ‘symbolic language’.  The J.W’s tell us that these people are the ‘ruling class’ and therefore, they are the only ones who will go to heaven. 

Does Scripture imply, in the book of Revelation that these are the only “servants of God” who go to heaven?  Of course not!

After seeing the “144,000” in heaven, John writes, “After this I looked and there before me was a multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes”. (Rev. 7:9).   These are clearly not the “144,000” from the tribes of Israel, because they are a “multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language”.   

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We read on about the multitude in white robes and it says, “Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes - who are they, and where did they come from?’  I answered, ‘Sir, you know’.  And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation, they have washed there robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.’” (Rev. 7:13-15)  According to scripture, “a multitude that no-one could count” will be in heaven “before the throne of God” and they will “serve him day and night in his temple”.   Clearly, if someone tells us that only 144,000 people will go to heaven - THEY ARE WRONG!

 

The 144,000 are mentioned again in Revelation 14:1-5;  “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.  And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.  And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.  These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.  No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” 

Obviously, it does say that the “144,000” had been redeemed from the earth.  However, it does not say that they are the only ones redeemed from the earth.  It says, “they were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb”.   “Firstfruits” clearly means there are more to follow.  All we need to do (once again) is read a little further.  Just as we have already read in the earlier chapters of Revelation, there are more people who are redeemed from the earth and taken to heaven.  At the beginning of chapter fifteen, we read, “I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed.  And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

‘Great and marvelous are your deeds,

    Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways,

    King of the ages

Who will not fear you, Lord,

    and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come

    and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.’”  (Rev.15:1-4)

Speaking of what he saw “in heaven”, John said, “standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. (Rev. 15:2).   Once again, as we have already read, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation”. (Rev.7:14).   They are the “multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language”.   It is clear then, that many will enter heaven along with the 144,000 firstfruits from Israel.  As the Lord Jesus said, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 8:11)

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The Lord Jesus did not come to separate his people into two groups, but to make the two (that is, Jews and Gentiles) into one!   It is written, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14-16)  This scripture speaks of the unity, which now exists between Jews and Gentiles who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord was put to death on a cross to make “the two one”.   It is obvious then, that those who now preach the separation of God’s people back into two groups “live as enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18)  It is easy to expose the J.W’s as enemies of the cross of Christ, as they deny that there even was a cross!

When speaking to the Jews of the people he would bring into his kingdom, Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16).  So, God has joined the two together into “one flock”.  The "144,00 first fruits from the tribes of Israel" will be joined in heaven by the rest of those “redeemed from the earth” - “a multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language”

Before his death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus taught many truths to the people, that they did not understand.  That is why he sent the apostles (the true witnesses) out to preach the new covenant to mankind.  What they have written about our inheritance is clear.  The only way to be sure about this in our own hearts and minds, is to hear it from the Holy Spirit.  “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).   But each one of us should prayerfully familiarise ourselves with Scripture.  For “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) 

The Lord Jesus is very clear about who enters the kingdom of heaven.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”   (Matt. 7:21) 

Those who do the will of the Father in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven.  And this is our ambition - to do his will.  Woe to those who preach differently, for it is written, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (Matt. 23:13)  Woe to you J.W's!