AboutBrenda Martin Expertise I have been one of Jehovah`s Witneses now for over 30 years, in those years I have brought up 4 children, teaching each of them the bible.Being one of Jehovah`s Witnesses has helped me cope with my Epilepsy and bring up a daughter with learning difficulties.I have conducted bible studies with people from nearly every denomination i.e. Muslim. Having used the bible all these years to answer peoples questions, I feel I am qualified to give any answer regarding Jehovah`s Witnesses and the bible.
Experience My experience has been one of attending bible lectures 5 times a week,taking part in these lectures in front of an audience and being with thousands of J.W. at conventions where I have seen the bible at work in peoples lives.It is truly a miracle when you see thousands of people meeting together and not one policeman needed, and not even a piece of litter in sight.It is like another world.
Question QUESTION: Conservative estimates put the number of original Christians during the life the the first apostles at 500,000 to one million. One can easily see from the numbers recorded in the book of Acts that thousands and thousands of believers are added to the Kingdom of Jehovah, and it mentions "multitudes" being added several times. These people received the original un-perverted Gospel of Redemption through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. So if only 144,000 are going to be with Christ in Heaven how can you possibly say that anyone beyond those first Christians are included in the 144,000? Scholars have said that upwards of 70 million Christians were martyred for their faith by four great purges that occured in the 4 centuries following Christ's death and resurection. Surely of those 70 million believers 144,000 would have qualified for the chosen class.
Sincerely, Danny
ANSWER: "ORIGINAL CHRISTIANS DURING THE LIFE OF THE APOSTLES.. SURELY OF THOSE 70 MILLION BELIEVERS 144,000 WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE CHOSEN CLASS?"
Jesus foretold an apostasy in his parable of the wheat and the weeds. Jesus himself explained that “the wheat” represents true Christians; “the weeds” represent false, or apostate, Christians. “While men were sleeping,” Jesus said, an “enemy” would sow weeds in the wheat field. This sowing began after the apostles had fallen asleep in death. The parable shows that this confusing of true Christians with false would continue UNTIL “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).
So your estimates will include “false Christians”
Beginning at Pentecost of 33 C.E. the wheat class appeared and thereafter grew in number. (Acts 2:1, 41, 47; 4:4) Christian congregations were established throughout Israel, and later throughout the then known world, However, as foretold, the Devil succeeded in over-sowing the wheat field with weeds.
These “weeds” became particularly apparent during the second and third centuries, at which time such unscriptural doctrines as the inherent immortality of the soul, hellfire and the Trinity began to be taught by so-called church fathers.
By the fourth century C.E. Babylonish religious thinking and Greek philosophy had made their mark on professed Christians. Apostasy from true Christianity had come to full bloom and the weeds, imitation Christians, abounded in number.
**In comparison--TRUE Christians kept separate from the world; the first-century Christian witnesses were a distinctive people. Notes historian E. G. Hardy in his book Christianity and the Roman Government: “The Christians were strangers and pilgrims in the world around them; their citizenship was in heaven; the kingdom to which they looked was not of this world. The consequent want of interest in public affairs came thus from the outset to be a noticeable feature in Christianity.”
There have not been “70 million” TRUE Christians since Pentecost.
All the best
Brenda
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QUESTION: Evidently I wasn't clear in my question. I know that all of the 70 million were not true Chritians. But I am SURE that at least 144,000 out of the 70 million WERE true Christians. How can you say that there were not?
Thanks, Danny
Answer Even if there were; it was not God's intention or purpose to gather all of them back then as the scriptures tell us--
These weeds were permitted to grow along with the good seed during the intervening centuries until the time of harvest began in 1919 C.E.
Both Isaiah’s and Micah’s prophecies foretell a regathering of true worshipers “in the final part of the days.” Not in the first century, Now. Isaiah 2:2, 3; Micah 4:1-3.
