Expert: Sal - 1/19/2008

Question
WHERE DOES THIS JW CONCEPT OF THE 144000 COME FROM?FROM THE BIBLE?COULD YOU EXPLAIN IT TO ME?WHERE DOES THIS STAND
WITH THE CATHOLICS?IS A JW ALLOWED TO MARRY OUT OF THEIR CLAN?

Answer
Dear Steve:


The Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) take this highly symbolic number and interpret it literally to mean 144,000 JWs will be in heaven. They believe that all other faithful JWs will spend eternity on a renewed earthly paradise. While the JWs take the number as literal they do not follow through with the rest of the passage. According to Rev. 7:5-8 the 144,000 are taken 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Thus the 144,000 could not be JWs unless they were converted from Judaism! So you can see how they misuse this passage trying to make it mean something that it doesn’t.

The 144,000 is a symbolic number representing all the saved. The number is 12 times 12 times 1,000. Twelve is a number that represents perfection in the Bible. It particularly represents perfection in government. For example, Jesus chose 12 Apostles to govern his Church (see Luke 6:13). One thousand is symbolic of a large time period. For example, the time Satan is bound (Rev. 20:2, 3) and the time Jesus will reign (Rev. 20: 4-6). Some say that 1,000 also equals perfection. Satan is perfectly bound and Jesus perfectly reigns.

JWs may not marry outside of the church.

I hope that this helped.

God Bless You,
Sal