Who are the 144,000?

Will Only 144,000 Be Saved In Heaven?

Among the many false doctrines taught by these who call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses is the one that only 144,000 will be saved in heaven. They cite Rev. 14:3: "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."

A study of the text and context will show the fallacy of their strained interpretation. The passage does not say that only 144,000 will be saved in heaven. Verse 4 says they were the firstfruits, indicating there would be others. After John saw the 144.000 he said, "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb . . ." (See Rev. 7:1-17).

In Rev. 7:4 we learn the 144,000 were Jews; and they were men who were virgins (Rev. 14:4). According to the Witnesses' theory, therefore only Jewish men who were virgins will be in heaven. There can be no women, not even the mother of Jesus, nor any married man not even the married apostle Peter!

The Witnesses err in limiting the number for heaven to 144,000, for the Bible does not teach that limitation. After John saw these 144,000 Jewish virgin men, he plainly says that he saw a great multitude that no man could number (Rev. 7:9), who were of all nations. The Witnesses ignore this and try to number those who will be before the throne of God in heaven.

Be not deceived by this false doctrine of False Witnesses. All who obey God's commandments will have a right to enter the city (Rev. 22:14). Eternal salvation is promised to all who obey Christ (Heb. 5:9). You can be among that great multitude which no man can number, whether you be man or woman, Jew or Gentile, married or unmarried. Be not misled by the false prophets (preachers) who are determined to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev. 20: 10). If you blindly follow leaders you too will fall into the ditch with them (Matt. 15:14). "Beware o: false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7: 15).

- by Earl Fly

Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them

My editorial today will be a lesson in miscellany.  I’m just going to opine on some thoughts that rattled around in my head and I’ve decided to take them from there and put them on paper.  Maybe we can make some spiritual gain from them.

For my first thought, I’m sorry but I just have to comment again on something regarding our coming elections.  I’ve noticed of late that several of the candidates are seemingly trying to “out-religion” each other.  Perhaps you’ve also noticed this reported.

My thought on this is in the form of a question: How can we ascertain whether their claims are true?  After thinking about it, my advice and answer to that question is to see what Jesus had to say about it in Matt. 7:20 in regards to whether someone is a sham (IE: a hypocrite) or not.

In that particular portion of His sermon on the mount, Jesus is speaking about those who “talk” a righteous game and tells His disciples how to know whether their speech is true or not.  What is the litmus test He gives them?  He says, “Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.”

I’d say that if that’s the test for determining whether a “prophet” is speaking the truth or not, then the same principle should hold equally true with candidates for political office.   Before I leave this thought, let me add a couple of things that I feel is applicable to it.   First is something Thomas Jefferson said:  “Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

And secondly, something God said in Psalm 33:12.   “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

My second little miscellaneous item stems from a thought that occurred to me as I was reading a passage a while back in the 9th chapter of Mark.  In the 33-34 verses we find that Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Capernaum and apparently while en route, the disciples had been disputing something amongst themselves. 

Jesus asked them “What were you disputing about on the way here?”  Their answer as to what subject was under dispute was: “Who would be the greatest in His kingdom?”  And that’s when Christ answered them by setting a child before them and told them, “Unless you become as a little child (IE: humble & guileless) you won’t even be in the kingdom of heaven.”

Now what whetted my editorial juices about this was to carry their disputed question to another step, another level and pose the question: “Who is the greatest sinner?”  I thought this might be an interesting question/thought.

Even though warned by Christ, in Matt. 7:1-2  to not judge others on the basis of human standards, we humans do have a tendency to look at those around us and judge them as worse than ourselves.  Perhaps this is because it makes us look better when we do so.  But, that’s “better” only in our own eyes.  Our view, or judgment, in this regard isn’t what’s important.  What’s important?  God’s view.

A good Biblical example to look at befitting this thought is the account of the woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus.  (John 8:1-11)   And, you have to understand that this was what we’d call today, a “set up” for Jesus.  A test by which they could condemn Him regardless of how he answered their question on what should be done about her.

But, His response was far different from what they expected it to be.  He simply said, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.”  (Vs. 7)   My observation and thought here is, that He might as well have asked her accusers “Who’s the greater sinner here?”

John says that they were “convicted” by their own conscience and simply left the scene.  I just think that’s a great question to ponder, don’t you?  Instead of arguing over who’s going to be the “greatest” in the kingdom of heaven, maybe we should consider who the greatest sinner saved will be.  Romans 3:23 says that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

So, who then is the “greatest” sinner in the “kingdom of heaven?”  I think that we find the answer to that in Luke the 7th chapter where Jesus told a parable about the “two debtors.”  In it, He asked Simon, which of the two debtors would love the master the most and Simon replied, “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave the most.”  At which Jesus replied, “Thou hast rightly judged.”

We’re all sinners in the “kingdom of heaven” - the church.  We’ve all “come short of the glory of God.”  And, we’ve all been “forgiven much.”  Maybe, we’re all “the greatest sinner in the kingdom.

My last little thought is based upon a quotation I read the other day.  It can fit in many places and scenarios, but perhaps in the realm of human behavior it fits best.  It simple read: “ A LIE DOESN’T BECOME TRUTH, WRONG DOESN’T BECOME RIGHT AND EVIL DOESN’T BECOME GOOD, JUST BECAUSE IT’S ACCEPTED BY A MAJORITY.”

--Ron Covey

Albany Medical Center

A Wonderful Reunion

It was 38 years ago.  She was only 3 months old when the accident occurred.  She was lying on a couch with a steam vaporizer on the floor beside her when she rolled off onto the boiling machine.  The steam and the melted mentholated ointment scalded and burned her skin.  Baby Amanda Scarpinati was rushed to the hospital.

The burns would require many reconstructive surgeries over the years.  The pain of the burns and surgeries was intensified by the responses of some her peers as a child.  "Growing up as a child, disfigured by the burns, I was bullied and picked on, tormented," Amanda reflected.

But there was a constant source of solace and encouragement in her life.  It was a collection of pictures of her in the pediatric recovery room of Albany Medical Center after one of her initial surgeries.  The pictures show baby Amanda with her head wrapped in thick gauze being carried by a seemingly pleasant and caring young nurse.  The photos appeared in Albany (NY) Medical Center's 1977 annual report.  The names of baby Amanda and her nurse were not included with the photos.  Amanda said, "I'd look at those pictures and talk to her, even though I didn't know who she was.  I took comfort looking at this woman who seemed so sincere caring for me."

Amanda still treasures those photos and the nameless nurse that provided loving care to her as an infant.  At the urging of a friend, Amanda posted the photos on Facebook to try to find out the identity of the nurse.  "Within 12 hours, it had gone viral with 5,000 shares across the country," Amanda reported.  "It was on the local TV news the next morning.  I was blown away."

Angela Leary, a former nurse at Albany Medical Center, saw the photos and recognized the nurse.  She sent a message to Amanda and identified the nurse as Susan Berger.  Leary said of Berger, "She was as sweet and caring as she looks in this picture."

A local television reporter tracked down Berger.  She now oversees the health center at Cazenovia College in New York.  Amanda and her nurse were soon reunited in a phone conversation.

"It was amazing," Amanda commented.  "She just has such a gentle, caring voice, just like I imagined she'd have."

Berger remembered Amanda as her patient.  She is also honored that Amanda has fondly thought of her all this time.  "I don't know how many nurses would be lucky enough to have something like this happen, to have someone remember you all that time.  I feel privileged to be the one to represent all the nurses who cared for her over the years."

When we were in dire condition due to our sins, the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, came to our rescue.  In order to save us, He had to die for us.  He gave His life on the cross so that we might live (1 Thessalonians 5:10).  He died almost 2,000 years ago, but you and I can still be the recipients of His grace-full, loving care.

He will save US from our sins when we place our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, as we continue to walk in the light, the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us from sin (1 John 1:7).

And one day, we will be reunited with Him!  When He returns, we will "see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2) and be able to thank Him personally for saving us and giving us eternal life!

Won't YOU allow the Great Physician to "heal" your sinful condition so that you can live forever with Him?

-- David A. Sargent