Expert: John Bergman - 9/4/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
Do you believe baptism is necessary for one to go to heaven? If not then expain 1 Peter 3:18-21 where baptism is called an antitype to the flood and that, which saves us. Mark 16:16 is also to be considered among many others, but I just want to know the witnesses teachings on this subject having never been exposed to their teaching in this area. I hope to hear from you soon.

L.J.

Answer -
Dear L.J.:




Yes, baptism is necessary to go to heaven, but involving  going to heaven, that is the realm for the 144,000 that is brought out in the book of Revelation (Rev. 7:4).  It is not for everybody who gets baptized.  There will be a great crowd of believers that will survive the great tribulation of Armaggedeon (Rev. 7:9,10) and there is the anointed, which is the 144,000.


The great crowd will live on a paradise earth where all human suffering, both external and internal, will be done away with (Rev. 21:4).


In order to be one of the great crowd or one of the anointed, baptism is one of the very important functions to be involved in.  But just being baptixed dosen't give a person an automatic ticket.  They must use and walk in their faith for all time.


If you have any more questions, please feel free to go to the Jehovah's Witnesses official website: www.watchtower.org.


Peace
JOHN

About the 144,000. My uderstanding of Revelation is that it was signified (ASV) according to Revelation 1:1. Wouldn't mean it was in signs and not literal's? If it is to be taken literal then so is the resurrection of Revelation 20:6, but you and I both know that is not a literal resurrection, but represents baptism that makes us a kingdom and priests by putting us in Christ (see Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 2:9). You agreed it saved us from the death of our soul as is taliked about in the lake of fire (signifying the worst dwelling place possible). Certainly you don't take the things literal in a signified book, do you? Maybe you can explain to me your stance on the 144,000 and help me see what you see because I believe (at this time) that the premillenial doctrine is false and that it is a simple misunderstanding of the 1000 yr reign. Let me explain: God is said in Psalms I believe, but don't quote me, that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Well what about 1001, is that bunch not his? Of course we can accept this to mean a complete and not literal number, but it has the same meaning in Revelation. We interpret Revelation by what things signified in the old Testament wouldn't you agree? Is Christ reigning now in your life? He is in mine as I am conquering over sins and removing them (see Romans 8:37). We are in his kingdom now according to Colossians 1:13-14 when we are in Christ. Remember baptism puts us in Christ, which harmonizes perfectly with what I am saying about the first ressurection being baptism. Do you agree?  

Answer
Dear L.J.:


I do believe that Rev. 20:6 is literal and it refers to the anointed of the 144,000 that weill be with Christ in Heaven ruiling over the paradise earth.  Christ, along with the anointed, will perform the duties involved in Rev. 21:1-4.


May I ask, with all due respect, what is your interpretation of the 1,000 year reign?  Do you believe this to be literal or just a sign?


There are many examples in the Bible that are literal and are concrete and true.  The concrete and true has to do with accurate knowlege and of what the Bible is really teaching.


I'm very happy that you are attempting to live your life in a Christian way.  I do believe in Christ as a savior to all and I do believe that Jehovah God is his father.



If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact Jehovah's Witnesses close to your area or you can go to the official Jehovah's Witnesses website: www.watchtower.org.


Thanks and take care
JOHN