Chapter Eight - Heaven, Earth, and the 144,000

CHAPTER EIGHT

Heaven, Earth, and the 144,000

THE WATCHTOWER TEACHES that not all salvation is the same.

There are two destinies.

Heaven, for a few.
Earth, for the rest.

The number is exact: 144,000.

The magazine says, “Only 144,000 will rule with Christ in heaven.”
“These are the anointed.”
“They are chosen since Pentecost 33 CE.”

They are spiritual Israel.
They are the faithful slave class.
They take the emblems, bread and wine, at the annual Memorial.

All others do not partake.

The Watchtower explains, “The rest are the great crowd.”
“They will live forever on a paradise earth.”
“They must remain loyal to Jehovah’s organization.”

The two groups do not have equal authority.

The anointed are said to receive a heavenly calling.
A small number of the anointed serve on the Governing Body.
Christ is said to be mediator only for the anointed, not for the great crowd.

The great crowd Serve Jehovah by supporting the anointed.
The great crowd obey instructions.
The great crowd live under the Kingdom’s rule after Armageddon.

The Watchtower warns, “Do not assume you are anointed.”
“Jehovah chooses.”
“False claims of anointing are signs of pride.”

Few now claim this hope.
Most Witnesses are earth-bound.

Their role?

“Preach. Obey. Wait.”

Heaven is not for them.
Their reward is paradise on Earth after the wicked are gone.