Reasoning with Jehovah's Witnesses |
10. The 144,000 |
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10. The 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses believe that: a. The "little flock" of Luke 12:32 is to be equated with the 144,000 of Revelation chapters 7 and 14.3 b. The 144,000 are sealed from among all nations to become "spiritual Israel."4 c. The sealing of the 144,000 began at Pentecost, 33 C.E. and continues to the present day.5 d. The 144,000 are sealed to be kings, priests, and the bride of Christ.6
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Q1. Of whom is the "little flock" of Luke 12:32 comprised? Luke 12:32-"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you [Jesus' disciples] the kingdom.
Q2. From where are the 144,000 sealed? Rev 7:4-those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed OUT OF every tribe of the sons of Israel: OUT OF...[the tribes are then mentioned by name] Rev 7:9-great multitude...FROM every nation and all tribes and peoples... The 144,000 are not sealed to become Israelites; they are sealed OUT OF Israel to become members of the 144,000 "bondservants of our God" (Rev 7:3). Rev 14:1-the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand... Rev 14:6-an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people... In both Revelation chapters 7 and 14, a clear distinction is made between the 144,000 sealed Israelites and "every nation." If we take "every nation" to be literal, we should also take Israel to be literal.
Q3. From where are earth's future kings purchased? Rev 5:9-10-Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood [men] from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them [to be] a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.
Q4. Are there other passages in the Bible which indicate that natural Israel plays an important part in the outworking of God's purposes at the end of this age and during the millennium? See ISRAEL
Q5. When are the 144,000 sealed? Rev 7:1,3-After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, so that no wind should blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads." There is no indication that any of these bondservants are sealed before the holding back of the four winds.
Q6. In Revelation chapters 7 and 14, are the 144,000 ever spoken of as being kings, priests, or the bride of Christ?
Rev 7:3 - are bond-servants of God 7:4 - are sealed on their foreheads 7:4 - number 144,000 7:4-8 - are sealed from the 12 tribes of Israel 14:1 - stand on Mt. Zion with the Lamb. 14:1 - have the Lamb's and His Father's names on their foreheads 14:3 - sang a new song before the throne; no one else could learn the song 14:3 - had been purchased from the earth 14:4 - have not been defiled with women; have kept themselves chaste 14:4 - follow the Lamb wherever He goes 14:4 - have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and the Lamb 14:5 - no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless
There is no mention of their being kings, priests, or the bride of Christ.
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Summary: a. Jesus spoke to His disciples and referred to them as a "little flock," which they were at the time. There is no basis for equating the "little flock" of Luke 12:32 with the 144,000 of Revelation chapters 7 and 14. b. The 144,000 are sealed from among natural Israel to become "bondservants of our God." c. The 144,000 are sealed just prior to or during the Tribulation. d. The Bible nowhere states that the 144,000 are sealed to be kings, priests, or the bride of Christ.
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Scriptures commonly used by Jehovah's Witnesses: Rev 14:1-the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand... See Q2 See ISRAEL
Endnotes: 3. Reasoning from the Scriptures, p. 268 4. Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 683 5. Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God, p. 161; Our Incoming World Government-God's Kingdom, p. 120 6. Reasoning from the Scriptures, p. 137; Make Sure of All Things, p. 303 |
