AboutBrenton Hepburn Expertise I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I can answer questions on the reliability of the NWT, the so called mind control problems, so called prophecies, and general practices and history of Jehovah’s Witnesses.....
>>>>WARNING<<<<<< ....Please be aware that there are at least ... 3 .... people here who ARE NOT practicing JWs and, (at other times there have been as many as 5.) These ones will, at times, appear to have an agenda against JWs., and will often give answers that are not correct in regard to JW teachings and practices. If you are after a answer from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, please read some of the answers that the various experts have published before choosing someone. If you want to ask them a question that is fine, but if you want a balancing view after asking one of the NON JWs, ask a JW the same question
Experience I have been a publisher since 1964. When I first went on the internet I found a lot of negative information dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses covering prophecy, mind control and what many said was a very bad translation of the Bible known as the NWT. It shook my faith. After may hours researching these topics I could see why some felt that way, but, I was also able to explain why there were these misleading views. I can now set matters straight for anyone that has negative information about Jehovah’s Witness to show them that such information is at best misleading and at worst dangerous lies.
Education/Credentials I have been a student of the Bible for many years, am trying to teach myself Biblical Greek.
Was a public tax accountant for many yrars untill SEP 2009 when I gave it up.
Question I would like to ask you a question regarding being "Born Again"
Must christians recognise the need to be born again fro salvation why do JW's say only 144000 will be born again? What haoppenes to the rest of mankind if only taht small number is saved?
John
Answer Hello John,
Thank you for your question.
Yes the Bible does refer to being born again, however JWs feel that the privilege of being born again is limited to a relative few individuals. That does not mean that the rest of mankind can not enjoy the benefits of Jesus death and have "life". We do not split those that can be saved into to "classes". We see only one class of "Christians" but with two different places of residence.
To understand the meaning of being "born again" and who it applies to we need to look at the context of that verse along with the context of the Bible
In looking at the context we also need to know who the audience was that Jesus was talking to and the circumstance behind the conversation.
The person Jesus was addressing is Nicodemus, a Pharisee and "a ruler of the Jews". As a "ruler", this means he was a member of the Sanhedrim, or great council of the nation, a man of authority in Jerusalem. As a Pharisee he had been raised as a separated one from the common people and schooled to be a scholar, a learned one. Only the writings of John mentions Nicodemus. The next instance is recorded in John 7:45-52 where he speaks in defense of Jesus and in John 19:38-40 where he brings of myrrh and aloes with which to put on the body of Jesus before his burial.
In John 3:2 he hints that he, and other rulers and Pharisees, know that Jesus is sent by God ..... "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God;".......... Why does he say that? Verse 2 goes on ......." for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him"..... So the things that Jesus did were so great in their nature that they were verification of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, whose coming was foretold.
It is also interesting to note that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. This could be because he was afraid of being seen talking to Jesus, why here he is a learned scholar going to a carpenter and a cult leader to be taught (He addresses Jesus as "Rabbi" showing he appreciated Jesus teaching abilities and recognized him as such). Or it could have been that he wanted a private conversation so that he might be free to ask questions as he was possible busy during the day with other duties. What ever the motive Jesus knew what was in his heart. Jesus does not respond directly to his statement …… (John 3:2 " "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.".) Before Nicodemus could ask Jesus a question, Jesus gives him this information (verse 3).... " "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ".... Why would Jesus do that?.
The Jews had been taught that because they were the offspring of Abraham, their whole nation has a place in the kingdom of the Messiah, ( see Gen 22:18; Gen 26:24 Gen 28:13,14 ;John 8:39). The Pharisees promised themselves much from their observation of the law, ( see for example Luke 11:41-44 Luke 18 11,12) Jesus was aware of all this. Because the Pharisees expected to be part of the Kingdom Jesus lets him know that, just because of his legal states as a Jew, did not guarantee his entry into Gods Kingdom. Matthew Pools commentary on this text says.... "It is usual by the civil laws of countries, that one enters into the possession of an earthly kingdom but by the right of birth; and for the obtaining the kingdom of heaven, there must be a new birth, a heavenly renovation of the whole man, soul, body, and spirit, to give him a title, by the wise and unchangeable constitution of God in the gospel, and to qualify him for the enjoyment of it."
Matthew Pool mentions here "the kingdom of heaven". Keep in mind that the message of Jesus was the Kingdom. In the Authorized Version the term Kingdom of God is mentioned 71 times and Kingdom of Heaven 52 times (Matthew 13 is a particularly good chapter to see how Jesus refers to the Kingdom by means of various illustrations.)
In John 1:11 we see that the privilege of being in this new heavenly kingdom was first given to the Jews, but they, as a nation, rejected him ....."He came to his own home, and his own people received him not". .... See also Matthew 23:37.... " "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 38 Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate." .... As a result those that were to be part of the Kingdom were to be taken from all nations and a new covenant was to be given them
This discussion now ties back to the question on Jesus being a mediator. Note Luke 22: 28 "You are those who have continued with me in my trials; 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." .... and also Rev 1:6 ...."and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever".... Of those to receive the Kingdom Jesus calls them a "little flock" (Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.")
We Know Jesus is referred to as the "great shepherd". In Luke he had referred to those getting the Kingdom as a "little flock" , and in John 10 :16 Jesus talks about "other sheep" .... "And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd."....
How does this fit into the discussion?.
Now to repeat what I said in a post about Jesus being the mediator..
Gods purpose has never changed for the earth. It was created for man. Now just think. Adam was created perfect. He only died because he sinned (Romans 5:12 " Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned") .... If Adam had not sinned we would not have sin, and Adam would still be alive today. We have death only because Adam sinned. There would have been no need for Jesus to have come to earth to buy back what Adam had lost. Isaiah 55:11 tells us Gods purposes never change ... "so shall MY WORD BE THAT GOES FORTH FROM MY MOUTH; it SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (RSV Capitals mine).... Part of the words that have gone forth from Gods mouth is his command to Adam to be fruitful and fill the earth and in so doing the Garden of Eden would spread to all corners of the earth. The texts mentioned just above (Isaiah. 45:18; Ps 37:11 ; Mat 5:5 ; Rev 21:3-4 3 )show that is still Gods purpose for mankind to inherit the earth and when death is done away with man will live forever .(1 Corinth. 15 26 "The last enemy to be destroyed is death.")
The Bible teaches that the earth was made to be inhabited (RSV)
Isaiah. 45:18, "18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other."
Ps 37:11 " But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity."
Ps 37 :29 "The righteous shall possess the land, and dwell upon it for ever."
Mat 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Rev 21:3-4 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."
Who are the "other sheep"? They are the ones mentioned above to inherit the earth and to live forever upon it.
JWs do not see to "classes" of Christians as is suggested by many people but one flock with one Shepard. Some of the flock are given extra responsibility of being king priests over the "other sheep" or great multitude that live on the earth.
The "other sheep" or "great multitude" can enjoy salvation by exercising faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus because Jesus ransom is for all mankind to buy back life that Adam lost for us when he sinned.
SUMMARY
Those that are "born again" are to inherit the Kingdom along with Jesus to serve as kings and Priests over the earth. (Luke 22:28; Rev 1:6)
These ones are also heirs along with Jesus for the Kingdom (Roms 8:17 "and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,")
As kings and priest their assignment is to rule over the ones that inherit the earth.
I know that was a long answer but I hope I have covered all relevant points. If not please feel free to ask for clarification.
