This is a number lifted from Revelation 7 and 14, which, there, is the total of the remnant of Israel. In “witness” thought, the 144,000 are the anointed saints, Jew and Gentile, and largely Jehovah’s Witnesses, who will be in Heaven. They are the “Little flock,” referred to by Jesus. They include the 12 apostles, of course, and Bible (New Testament only) saints, and many others up to 1935. In 1986, only 9000 elderly Jehovah’s Witnesses were known to be going to Heaven as a part of this elect group. Others being recruited from 1936 to our own day will be on the earth forever (if they are obedient now and throughout the Millennium).

note: Q is questioner, JWA is Jehovah's Witness Answer, CA is Christian Answer.

What does the Word say? John 3:3-7. “You must be born again.” Q. For years, the verse here quoted was spoken to people all over the world when the Gospel was preached to them. But now we learn from the Watch Tower Society that all such preaching is in vain. Could you explain that please?

JWA. Of course. In a moment of clear inspiration, Judge Rutherford defined that in the year 1935, the last of the anointed ones who will make up the 144,000 was chosen. These anointed were the born again, and they are now mostly all in Heaven. Those to whom we reach out today are being prepared for an earthly Kingdom.

Q. So is it your studied opinion that anyone who claims to be born again today is deceiving others and needs to be kept quiet?

JWA. We will let Jehovah make decisions like that. But we must be true to what God has revealed to us through our inspired leaders.

Q. I’d like to share with you someday about how those leaders have been so very wrong so many times, but for now let us explore the idea of being born again, Scripturally and personally. Have you been born again?

JWA. Oh no sir, because of what I just said to you, I have no such expectations.

Q. What do you think it means, this re-birth thing? Were you ever privileged to meet such a person?

JWA. No, but I have heard about them. Holy people. True examples of the Master.

Q. I dare say. Do you ever expect to meet these people, to see them, fellowship with them?

JWA. I certainly hope that after Armageddon, when saints inherit the earth, Kingdom people will mingle with us as they rule the world with Jesus.

CA. I so hate to dash this man’s hopes, but Jesus specifically said that if a man is not born again, he will not even see the Kingdom of God, much less participate in it. The Kingdom, Biblically, is made up of those who have been born again, were then caught up to meet the Lord in the air, then made the trip back to Earth with their newly resurrected bodies. How anyone could think there was a cut-off date before the physical return of Jesus is beyond me, and way beyond the Scriptures, but it shows us all just how powerful is the deception that binds these people. When I am preaching around Jehovah’s Witnesses, I make sure to emphasize that, yes, you can, and must, be born again! There’s still time.

Reminds me of the letter circulating in Paul’s day, with his (forged) signature, saying that the day of the Lord had already passed! When do we stop following idle tales?

Romans 8:9-11. NWT. “…If anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this person does not belong to him… if the spirit [of God] …dwells in you…[God] will make your mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in you.”

Q. Do you have the Spirit of Christ ?

JWA. Those who were the anointed ones, the 144,000, have already been chosen, as of 1935.

Q. Then you do not claim to have the Spirit (you would say “force”) of God dwelling in you?

JWA. That is correct. There is Divine influence around us, for sure, but the anointing of the spirit is for the heavenly beings. We are now preparing people for the Earthly Kingdom which Jesus shall rule.

CA: This is a real shame, and a great opportunity for us. Prove by testimony and life that the Spirit of God actually lives in you, and the so-called “witness” cannot open his mouth.

Romans 8 is chock full of references to the “spirit” as they call “it.” Regardless of the personality issue in this regards, it is still clear by the chapter that a person not indwelt by this “force” does not belong to God, and neither will he be resurrected from the dead. Jesus adds that if a man is not born again [by the Spirit], he cannot even see the Kingdom of God, much less enter it.

Rev 7:4, 14:3-4 “…I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel… …they sang a new song… these have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste… these follow the Lamb wherever He goes… no lie was found in their mouth… they are blameless…”

Q. Sir, are you a part of the 144,000?

JWA. No, that number was reached in 1935, and the ones who were of that number have now just about left us for their reward.

Q. I dare say they have. Have you read in the text here that the 144,000 are from the ranks of the Israelites?

JWA. Judge Rutherford discovered that God’s people are the new Israel, and that the promises of God refer to us today.

Q. But 12,000 from each tribe? The original Israel was divided into tribes. Are you saying that these 144,000 Watch Tower members identified their tribe as well as the fact that they were spiritually Jews?

JWA. I assume that Jehovah knows their tribe, and can count well His people.

Q. And were you aware that singing was forbidden in “witness” congregations for quite some time, yet all the while this text was talking about a song they will be given in Heaven?

JWA. Yes, of course.

Q. And are you absolutely sure that the men who founded this religion of yours, and those who followed after them, with all the mistaken prophecies and false teachings and changes in doctrine from year to year, and rejection of all the other Christians in the world, that this group can be said to be blameless and perfectly honest people? And although the NASB above uses the word “chaste” in regards to their relationships with the opposite gender, many translations, including your own, use the word “virgin.” Were all these people of past generations until 1935 truly singles for the Lord?

JWA. Virginity and chastity are not necessarily words for singles. But yes, we do believe God anointed these persons, made them holy, and has long since received them into the glory of the Kingdom of God.

Q. And the rest of you, after 1935?

JWA. We wait with great expectancy the organization of the Kingdom of God on Earth, of which we will be a part if we are faithful.

Q. If. Always if.