Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!bcm!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: cadence!stevep@uunet.uu.net (Steve Peterson) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: The End of the World!! Message-ID: Date: 1 Mar 91 07:44:36 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Lines: 73 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article lrb@hpfcso.fc.hp.com (Larry Bruns) writes: >................Also, I believe that they have always predicted that only >144,000 souls would go to heaven. Originally they assumed that ALL Jehovah's >Witnesses would be among that 144,000. But as time went by and the number of >JV's worldwide surpassed 144,000, this prediction also became an embarrassment >to them, since this meant that now at least *some* JV's were not going to >heaven. > >[I think there are some legends here. (1) While JW's have a special >role for 144,000 people, I don't think they are claimed to be the only >ones that are going to be saved....... > --clh] The moderater is correct about legend here. JW's have never thought that only 144,000 persons were to find favor with God. We have simply seen that the Bible explains that heaven isn't the only destination for those whom God favors. Whereas mainstream Christianity teaches their followers that *all* the good will go to heaven, the Bible teaches that many of those who are saved will enjoy life forever on a earth. A few references to begin the discussion: Psa 37:9,10,29 Wicked will be no more, the righteous will possess the earth and live forever on it. Math. 5:5 The righteous will inherit the earth Rev 21:1-4 Speaks of a new *earth* Do all good people go to heaven? -------------------------------- Acts 2:34 David didn't Math 11:11 may indicate that John didn't John 3:13 no man has ascended into heaven Good persons such as David will be resurrected to live here in the peaceful new earth mentioned at 2 Pet 3:13 "a new earth in which righteousness will dwell If Adam had not sinned, would he eventually have gone to heaven? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Gen 1:26 God's purpose for him was caretaker of the earth, no mention of going to heaven Gen 2:16,17 Not God's purpose for them to someday die, Death was a punishment for disobedience, not the doorway to a better life in heaven. Obedience would have been rewarded by the continued life, eternal life, in the Paradise that God had given them. Must a person go to heaven to have a truly happy future? -------------------------------------------------------- Psa 37:11 will possess the earth and have exquisite delight in the abundance of peace Rev 21:1-4 in this new earth - no tears, mourning, pain, or death Mic 4:3,4 no war, complete security Will some Christians go to heaven? ---------------------------------- John 14:2,3 Yes, Jesus says his faithful apostles would, but doesn't mention how many others How many will go to heaven? --------------------------- Luke 12:32 a *little* flock Rev 14:1-3 144,000 bought *from* the earth What will those who go to heaven do there? ------------------------------------------ Rev 20:6 will rule as kings and priest with Christ 1Cor 6:2 will judge the world Rev 5:10 will rule over the earth Hope this clears our position with regards to the number 144,000 Best Regards...... Steve Peterson ---- stevep@cadence.com or ...!uunet!cadence!stevep