About Mankind's Future

 Source:  p. 22-23 of THE WATCHTOWER  AUGUST 1, 2009

 (Comments are in blue)

“Did Jesus promise life in heaven?”

Yes, he did! Jesus himself was resurrected, and he ascended to heaven to be with his Fa­ther. But before his death and resurrection, he told his 11 faithful apostles: "In the house of my Father there are many abodes. ... I am going my way to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2) However, those who would receive this privilege would be few. Jesus made this fact plain when he said to his disciples: "Have no fear, little flock, be­cause your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom."—Luke 12:32.”

The Jehovah Witnesses definition of the little flock is crucial. They have committed years before to only 144,000 are able to be born again and in the new covenant; they alone go to heaven. The numbers have been fewer slots left  open for those witnesses that are now alive on earth to be able to go to heaven when they die. Recently the last few years the numbers have increased to over 10,000.  According to their citing of Lk.12:32 only the little flock inherits the kingdom.  They make a distinction of them serving in heaven while the earthly class will be on paradise earth in the kingdom. This must be kept in mind as we review the Watchtower.

What will the "little flock" do in heaven?

The Father wants this small group to be part of a government in heaven with Jesus. How do we know? After he was resurrected, Jesus revealed to the apostle John that some faithful ones would "rule as kings over the earth." (Revelation 1:1; 5:9, 10) This is good news. One of mankind's greatest needs is good government. What will this govern­ment ruled by Jesus achieve? Jesus said: "In the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also yourselves sit upon twelve thrones," (Matthew 19:28) The rule by Jesus and his followers will result in "the re-creation," or renewal, of the perfect conditions that the first human couple en­joyed on earth before they sinned.”

 Here they claim that only the ones that go to heaven are the little flock , they will govern with Jesus (some faithful ones) over the people on earth from heaven.

Matthew 19:28 is speaking to the apostles (which would be 12 in number even without Judas) not to 144,000.

Rev 5:9-10 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."

The Bible teaches that those redeemed by his blood are not just a few that go to heaven. After the 144,000 are sealed we read…

Rev 7:9:  “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, v.14 “And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This number is far greater than 144,000 or a little flock. Notice they are standing before the throne, before the lamb who is in heaven… standing before the throne and before the Lamb- Which is in HEAVEN. The same place they claim the 144,000 are (but actually are not, they are on earth evangelizing the nations)

Scriptures states the whole church is called the flock, which Jesus purchased by his blood. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28) The apostles, the elders shepherded everyone in the body of Christ but according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses interpretation, only 144,000 are purchased by the blood and in the new covenant, this is why they believe they are the only ones going to heaven. If you are not purchased by his blood or in the new covenant then you are not in the church, you are not part of the body of Christ and will receive none of the benefits of Christ.

Rom. 5:8-9 states Christ died for us, sinners. Those who believe are “justified by His blood.” One is not redeemed from sin, forgiven or ransomed from sin, nor is a Christian without the blood of the new covenant applied. Col. 1:14: “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Repeated in Eph. 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” Eph. 2:13 “you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. “ Paul was not addressing certain elite individuals in the body but all believers. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission ‘(Heb. 9:22). Just as in the Passsover (Christ is our Passover lamb) they had to apply the blood of the lamb personally for themselves to be protected. We can only “enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). In other words without the blood of Christ you cannot have a relationship with God, whom they call Jehovah.

1 Pet. 1:18-19: “we were redeemed ….with the precious blood of Christ.” I Jn. 1:7: “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Rev 1:5-6: “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.” No blood of Christ then you are not forgiven of your sins, and Paul says these same people are those who will be kings and priests.

Matt. 26:28-29:  "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

Sorry Jehovah Witnesses, but you won’t be in the kingdom unless you have taken part of the new covenant which the cup represents.

The Jehovah Witnesses are off the charts on having an ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE or TEACHING on this CRUCIAL MATTER.

Rev, 22:3 “and His servants shall serve Him.”

Who are his servants? Going back to Rev.7 we find it is a number no one can count, the ones that are martyred in “the great tribulation, and washed their 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. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. (Rev 7:14-15). As it states in Rev. 6:11 “Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”

 These are not the 144,000 whom are not sealed yet, nor are they just a few interpreted as the “little flock” by the Watchtower but servants and brethren of the Lord, in other words ALL who believe.

Rev, 22:3 "and His servants shall serve Him."

Who are his servants? Going back to Rev.7 we find it is a number no one can count, the ones that are martyred in "the great tribulation, and washed their 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. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. (Rev 7:14-15). These are those killed for their faith. As it states in Rev. 6:11 "Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed."

 These are not the 144,000, they are not sealed yet, nor are they just a few, interpreted as the "little flock" by the Watchtower, but servants and brethren of the Lord, in other words all who believe.

Rev 7:3-4 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

“What hope did Jesus offer the rest of mankind?

Mankind was created for life on earth, in contrast with Jesus, who was created for life in heaven. (Psalm 115:16) Thus, Jesus said: "You are from the realms below; I am from the realms above." (John 8:23) Jesus spoke of a wonderful future for mankind on earth. Once, he said: "Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5) He was alluding to the inspired psalm that says: "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite de­light in the abundance of peace. The righ­teous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."—Psalm 37: 11, 29.

First- Jesus was not created, He is not the first creature made buy Jehovah. The Bible says he was with the Father before anything was created and that God created all things - Jesus stated "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5). Since the world is the first thing God made (Gen.1:1: in the beginning God created). He being there means he could not be a creature, since only God existed at this time. Also, Scripture says it is Jesus that created all things. Just because he became human on earth does not negate his nature prior to being man.

The Word of God gives testimony - The Father calls the Son God and further states Heb 1:10-2:6 And: "You, Lord, (YHWH) in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail." Remember in the beginning God (YHWH) created the HEAVENS and the EARTH. Isa.48:13 states YHWH laid the foundation of the earth”

Heb.1 is a quote directly from Ps.102:25 as the psalmist is addressing God. He (Jesus) stays the same because God does not change, Mal. 3:6 “I the Lord (YHWH) do not change.”

Rev. 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things”

(Col.1:16)  Heb. 3:4 makes it clear “He who built all things is God.” So either God is the creator or a creature is the creator. The Jehovah Witnesses make him a creature god used to create, complete nonsense.

Again the Jehovah Witnesses are not in the ballpark on this crucial understanding of Jesus. In this they have not changed.

“So the "little flock," who go to heaven,  are not the only ones to receive everlasting life. Jesus also spoke of a hope that is open to the whole world of millions of mankind. He said: God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."—John 3:16.”

Besides the obvious flaw of this verse stating to exercise faith in a creature (not God but is an angel) they apply eternal life to those who have faith in the son, while eliminating them from being recipients of the blood of Christ that is to all in the new covenant, which is the prerequisite for having everlasting life whether one is in heaven or on earth.

How will God relieve mankind of suffering?

“Jesus spoke of relief from two sources of oppression when he said: "Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out." (John 12:31) First, ugodly men who cause suffering will be judged and destroyed. Second, Satan will be cast out and will no longer mislead man­kind.

What about those throughout history who lived and died without having a chance to learn about God and Christ and exercise faith in them? Jesus told an evil­doer who suffered death at His side: "You will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43) That person, along with millions of others, will have an opportunity to learn about God when Jesus raises him from the dead in a paradise on earth. He will then have the  chance to  be among the  meek and  righteous ones who receive everlasting life on earth.—Acts 24:15.”

"The righteous themselves  will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." —Psalm 37:29

(Underlining mine)

The Watchtower is promoting universalism. They are teaching like the Mormons, that everyone will be raised and given another chance (except those whom they claim are ungodly and caused suffering. Of course this is a doctrine not extracted from the Scripture because if one reads John 3:16 further, it states in v.18-19 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. V. 20: “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

The bible does speak of a resurrection, but not to have a second chance but to be judged before the living God for the deeds done in the body.  Heb. 9:27: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

When Jesus told the man crucified by his side he would be in paradise it was because the man repented, not because he as an evil doer and “will then have the chance” when the resurrection occurs. The only ones who enter the millennial reign of Christ are those who were faithful. This not only goes against the Bible but their own doctrine that one must be a faithful witness- going door to door or when they die they will go out of existence forever. In Mt.25 when Jesus separates the sheep and the goats before the new system is set up, he does not give the goats a second chance. Even the NWT translation says Mt.25:41 “Then he will say, in turn, to those on his left, ‘Be on YOUR way from me, YOU who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.”  

Those who died without Christ as Lord have no hope - no second chance. This means all Jehovah Witnesses. Why? Because they do not believe in the resurrection. They teach ones spirit goes out of existence when they die, vaporized. Therefore who is put back in the body? A copy of you from God’s memory. So what you have is a body without the original person, which means this is not a resurrection. According to their own teaching no Jehovah’s Witness will be on paradise earth.