The topic of Heaven is one that causes much excitement on the part of many who profess to have a born-again experience in Jesus Christ. Many rejoice at the prospect of reuniting with loved ones who have died, of seeing the wonderful sights of Heaven, and especially, of being in the presence of God Himself. It may surprise many who don't know much about Jehovah's Witnesses, to find that the overwhelming majority of them, though professing to be Bible-believing Christians, actually do not believe that they have any hope of Heaven. I will attempt to discuss the teaching of the Watchtower Society on this subject, and as with any subject, the principal we should try to follow is that of Rom. 3:4: "Let God be true , but every man a liar." Very simply, we should never elevate the opinions or writings of men, or even our own beliefs, to the same level as God's Word. It, and only it, is to be the final authority for beliefs and practices (II Tim. 3:15-17).THE WATCHTOWER TEACHING
The teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses regarding Heaven is that most Christians will never go there. Actually, they divide Christians up into 2 separate and distinct groups:
1. The 144,00--This group is made up of all 1st century Christians, and also of Jehovah's Witnesses who were baptized prior to the 1930's. These, and only these, will go to Heaven to rule with Christ. This group is commonly referred to as "the anointed class". Fewer than 5,000 are still alive today.
2. The Other Sheep--This group is made up of all other Christians who joined the W.T. Society after 1935, and instead of having a Heavenly hope, they will instead have eternal life on a paradise earth. They will never see God, Christ, or any of the 144,000. They cannot be born-again, partake of communion, and are not recognized as being in the New Covenant. This group is commonly called the "great crowd" or "the other sheep".
Where do J.W.'s derive this teaching from Scripture? The reasoning goes like this:
In John 10:16, Jesus told His followers that He would be gathering "other sheep" into His fold. These "other sheep", it is reasoned, are those with an earthly hope, rather than a heavenly hope. This verse has been fulfilled since 1935, with the multitudes of people coming into the W.T Society since that time. These have no hope of Heaven, but rather, will live on a restored paradise earth. J.W's point to Scriptures such as Ps.104:5, Eccl 1:4, and others, which state that the earth will abide forever, rather than suffer destruction. "What would be the point", J.W's ask, "if the earth abiding forever if no one would be inhabiting it? Certainly Jehovah's purpose for the earth will be realized." In Luke 12:32, Jesus refers to a group called the "little flock", which will be given the kingdom of Heaven along with Christ. This "little flock" (JWs believe) refers to the 144,000 of Rev. 7:1-4 and 14:1-5, who will go to heaven to rule with Christ. To summarize, the J.W.'s claim that the 144,000 who will go to Heaven are, in comparison, a "little flock" when contrasted with the "great crowd" who will not go to Heaven but rather remain on earth forever. THE BIBLICAL TEACHING
Do the J.W.'s really have a solid scriptural foundation on which to base this belief? I suggest if you are ever in a discussion with a J.W. on this subject, that you simply ask him/her to produce a single scripture stating that there is a limit to the number of people who can go to Heaven. THERE IS NO SUCH SCRIPTURE! The Bible does, however, have much to say about the subject of Heaven. We will examine these passages, but first, let us look at the "scriptural" arguments advanced by Jehovah's Witnesses. In John 10:16, it is true that Jesus mentioned that there would be "other sheep" who would eventually be brought into the fold, but was He really referring to a separate and distinct class of earthly Christians? Not at all!! It must be remembered that Jesus was here speaking to Jews. He was clearly outlining for them the day that Gentile believers would also be brought into His kingdom, and they, along with His Jewish followers, would make "one fold, and one shepherd." This verse has absolutely nothing to do with dividing Christians into 2 separate classes with 2 different hopes for eternity!
For more proof of this, please study carefully Ephesians 2:11-18, where the apostle Paul writes about the fulfillment of Jesus's words. Notice what he says:
"ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ"(v.13), "who hath made BOTH ONE"(v.14), "make in himself of twain ONE new man"(v.15), "might reconcile BOTH unto God in ONE body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby"(v.16), "we BOTH have access by ONE SPIRIT unto the Father"(v.18).
Verses 11-12 of this chapter clearly reveal that Paul is speaking, in context, about Jews and Gentiles. This is what Jesus had predicted would happen when the gospel was preached "unto the uttermost parts of the earth"(Acts 1:8). Jehovah's Witnesses have clearly taken Jesus's words out of context.
What then of the "little flock" of Luke 12:32? Does this refer to a small group of Christians with a Heavenly hope? No, for in context, Jesus is here speaking to His disciples. Peter asks Him in verse 41 whether this teaching was for everyone, or for them only. Jesus replied in the following verses that any servant of God who is found faithful is regarded as one of the "little flock". This is consistent with Jesus's words in Matthew 7:14 when He said: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT." Certainly, compared to the entire population of the world, the true followers of Christ are a "little flock." This verse does not speak of only 144,000 and is clearly another example of J.W.'s taking Scriptures out of their intended context.
What then does the Bible say about Heaven, and who goes there? Let us list some passages. I urge every viewer to study these Scriptures carefully.
MATTHEW 5:8- "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Notice that the pure in heart "shall SEE God."
MATTHEW 5:12- "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven..."
What good is a reward in Heaven if most Christians won't go there?
MATTHEW 6:19-21- "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Why lay up treasures in Heaven if that is not our hope?
JOHN12:26- "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and WHERE I AM, THERE SHALL ALSO MY SERVANT BE: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
Why would Christ say HIS SERVANT would be where He is, if only 144,000 would actually be there?
JOHN14:1-4- "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare A PLACE FOR YOU. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."
Jesus promises to come again and receive His followers to Himself, that where He is, we shall be also.
2COR.5:1-3;6-9- "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, and house not made with hands, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house WHICH IS FROM HEAVEN: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked....Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, WE ARE ABSENT FROM THE LORD: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be ABSENT FROM THE BODY, AND TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him."
These passages make clear that for a Christian to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
EPH.2:19- "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God."
A Heavenly hope is clear in this passage.
PHIL.1:21-23- "For to me to live is Christ, AND TO DIE IS GAIN. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, HAVING A DESIRE TO DEPART, AND TO BE WITH CHRIST; WHICH IS FAR BETTER:"
It is clear that to die is to be with Christ. J.W.'s will claim that Paul could say this because he was one of the 144,000. Again, ask them which Scripture states that only 144,000 go to Heaven.
PHIL.3:20-21- "For our conversation is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who SHALL CHANGE OUR VILE BODY, THAT IT MAY BE FASHIONED LIKE UNTO HIS GLORIOUS BODY, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."
We are clearly promised a new body which we will live in forever in Heaven. JWs will often object by saying that "flesh and blood" cannot enter Heaven. This verse illustrates that our body will become glorified just as Christ's fleshly resurrection body was. 1 Corintihians 15:51-54 describes this as "putting on incorruption" and "putting on immortality".
COL.1:5- "FOR THE HOPE WHICH IS LAID UP FOR YOU IN HEAVEN, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel".
Does any comment need to be made about a Heavenly hope? A point that is very significant here, is that Paul states the Colossians had heard about the Heavenly hope from the Gospel message itself. Ask the JW if his/her Gospel offers a Heavenly hope to its hearers. It does not, which places it under the condemnation of "another gospel", mentioned in Galatians 1:6-8.
COL.3:1-4- "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, THEN SHALL YE ALSO APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY."
We are told we shall appear with Christ in glory at the moment of His return. This clearly shows Heaven as the home of the Christian. No mentions at all is made of this only applying to 144,000.
1THESS.4:13-18- "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Does this verse limit the number to 144,000? No, rather verse 14 says this is for those who believe in Jesus. In verse 18, these words are given for comfort. What comfort would there be if these verses only apply to a small number, with most Christians unable to claim this promise?
HEB.3:1- "Wherefore , holy brethren, PARTAKERS OF THE HEAVENLY CALLING, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."
Christians are partakers of the Heavenly calling. In order to have a Heavenly calling, one must only be one of the "holy brethren", not some group of 144,000 select ones. Think of it....if we exclude ourselves from the Heavenly hope, we also exclude ourselves from having Jesus Christ as our High Priest. Who, then, goes to the Father on our behalf?
HEB.12:22-25- "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on Earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speakth from Heaven."
Again, the Heavenly hope is outlined for all Christians. Also, a serious warning is given to people such as the JWs, who exclude themselves from the New Covenant and the Heavenly hope, and therefore, "turn away Him that speaketh from Heaven".
There is another verse worth mentioning. Since Jehovahs Witnesses often refer to "an earthly hope" as opposed to a "Heavenly hope", it would do us well if we ask the question: "Just how many hopes are mentioned in Scripture?" As always, the Bible has the answer. Please look at Ephesians. 4:4-
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling."
Friend, who will you choose to believe, God, or the Watchtower Society?
Another interesting passage of Scripture is found in John 17:20-24:
"Neither pray I for these alone, BUT FOR THEM ALSO WHICH SHALL BELIEVE ON ME through their word; That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me. And the glory which Thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given me, BE WITH ME WHERE I AM; THAT THEY MAY BEHOLD MY GLORY, which Thou hast given me..."
Notice that Jesus Christ, in one of the most beautiful prayers recorded in the Bible, prays that His followers shall be "WITH ME WHERE I AM". Was he speaking only of the 144,000 who would go to Heaven? No, for in verse 20, He is clearly praying for all who would ever come to believe in Him. Nowhere is that number limited!
The JW teaching is quite bizarre, in that it teaches a group of 144,000 select ones who go to Heaven, and another group called the "Great Crowd", which is the rest of the faithful ones, who will live on Earth.
Incidentally, the Bible does mention a "great crowd" in Rev. 7:9-17. Are they an earthly group as the Witnesses claim? Absolutely not!
Let us examine the entire passage:
(v.9)- "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude (crowd), which no man could number, OF ALL NATIONS, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, STOOD BEFORE THE THRONE, AND BEFORE THE LAMB, CLOTHED WITH WHITE ROBES, AND PALMS IN THEIR HANDS;"
They are "before the throne, and before the Lamb"
(v.11)- "And all the angels stood...and fell BEFORE THE THRONE ON THEIR FACES, AND WORSHIPPED GOD."
The JWs claim that the phrase "before the throne" is not a location, but an approved condition. This is ridiculous, in that everyone knows the angels are in Heaven, and the angels are also "before the throne", meaning that the "great crowd" is in the same place as the angels.
(v.13)- "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? AND WHENCE CAME THEY?"
Many overlook this simple question, but it actually has great significance. One of the heavenly elders ask who this "great crowd" was, and where they came from. This question would make no sense unless the "great crowd" was in the same location as the elder, for they would still be on Earth. Why, then, would the elder ask "Where did they come from?"
(v.15)- "Therefore are they BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, AND SERVE HIM DAY AND NIGHT IN HIS TEMPLE: AND HE THAT SITTETH ON THE THRONE SHALL DWELL AMONG THEM."
It says Christ shall dwell among the "great crowd". Since Christ's dwelling is in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, it is obvious that the "great crowd" will live with Christ.
(v.16)- "....neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat."
This verse says the sun shall never light on them. Could this possibly be an earthly scene?
If the J.W. still refuses to believe the Scriptural evidence that the "great crowd" is in Heaven (and he will refuse), then have him turn in his own New World Translation of the Bible to Rev. 19:1:
"After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of A GREAT CROWD IN HEAVEN..." (New World Translation).
According to his/her own JW Bible, the "great crowd" is in Heaven!
What then, about the 144,000? We read about them in Rev.7:4-8 and 14:1-4. In studying the description of this group, we learn some very interesting things.
1. In Rev. 7, ALL of the 144,000 are still alive on earth, or else the angelic protection of verse 3 would not be needed. Since the setting is in the first half of the Tribulation period, which is still yet in the future, how does this fit with the Watchtower idea that only about 5,000 of this group are still alive, with the majority having already died and gone to Heaven?
2. These are ALL Jews. Jehovah's Witnesses try to explain this fact away, but the 12 tribes are clearly listed, making any other interpretation impossible. If the tribes aren't literal, and if the number 12,000 from each tribe isn't literal, as the Witnesses maintain, then how can they claim that the sum,144,000, IS a literal number? You cannot multiply 12 symbollic numbers and wind up with a literal sum! This is a classic example how J.W.'s will interpret the same Scripture 2 different ways when it suits their purpose to do so.
3. These are all men (14:4). They are also unmarried. There is no reason whatsoever to interpret this any way but literal. Interestingly, among Jehovah's Witnesses who claim to have been in the 144,000, there have been women, people of many nationalities, and people who were married. It is certianly not wrong to be married, nor is it wrong to be a woman, but the 144,000 are ALL UNMARRIED MEN, if we are willing to simply take the Word of God for what it says. If one cannot meet these requirements, they are not part of the 144,000!
Dear friend, the choice is yours. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we all have access into this wonderful place called Heaven. It is the will of God that you end up in this wonderful place that He has prepared.
Jehovah's Witnesses make much to do about the future of the Earth. In their thinking, it is impossible for everyone to have a Heavenly hope, if the Earth is going to abide forever, and will be inhabited forever. In my article "HEAVEN ON EARTH: WILL IT EVER BE?", I will deal with the Scriptures which do teach that the earth will abide forever. There is no contradiction whatsoever between a Heavenly hope and that of a paradise Earth. All Christians do have the promise of going to Heaven to be in the presence of the Lord, and also the promise of the "New Earth". There is no discrepancy at all.
The only way one can become a child of God, however, is by knowing Jesus Christ in the free pardon of sin. Without coming to Jesus Christ, and trusting in His finished work on the cross of Calvary, you have no hope of ever going to Heaven. Salvation is a free gift, and cannot be earned. Only Jesus can give you life everlasting.
