Exposing
JWs
Doctrines!
Who are the 144,000 and the Great Crowd?
JWs conveniently take the 144,000 to be a literal number rather than its obvious symbolism pointing to the total completion of the saints!
By Nab Bebawy
The organization incorrectly teaches that 144,000 is a literal number! But all numerals in Revelation are symbols that carry spiritual meanings. The 144,000 comprises (12 x 12 x 1000) representing total completion. The 144,000 stands for the entire body of Christ seen in its totality, fully SEALED and GATHERED (see Rev 7:3). Note this comment from Mounce:
“The number is obviously symbolic. Twelve (the number of the tribes) both squared and multiplied by 1,000—a twofold way of emphasizing completeness” (Mounce, 168).
Problems from Literal Interpretation
If you assume the 144,000 is a literal number, then the two passages in Revelation 7:4-8 and 14:1-4 must also be understood literally which causes contextual problems with the rest of the scriptures!
Note the serious problems arising from a literal interpretation:
It would limit 144,000 to the 12 tribes of Israel only.
It excludes men like Abraham and Noah (Not from any tribe)
It excludes Gentile Christians! (Not from any tribe)
It makes the ‘Lamb of God’ a literal lamb!
It makes ‘Mount Zion’ a literal mount!
It makes 144,000 all males! (No faithful women!)
It limits 144,000 to literal virgins (No married men!)
It would engrave literal names on their foreheads!
Etc.
The example above shows, without a doubt, that 144,000 is a symbolic number, referring to ALL of God’s elect chosen from the beginning of time until the end of this age.
There were More than 144,000 in the First Century
The New Testament writers themselves tell us that there were a lot more than 144,000 Christians by the middle of the first century! By 60 A.D., Paul was already declaring:
“The gospel has been proclaimed in all creation.” (Col 1:23)
“The gospel has gone out to all the earth and their words to the ends of the world.” (Rom 10:16-18)
History also shows that by the 2nd Century AD, hundreds of thousands became Christians (all anointed!). Note Tertullian’s statement (c. 200 AD):
“Immense number of Christians…almost all the inhabitants of your various cities being followers of Christ” (Apology 37).
“Our numbers are so great–constituting all but the majority in every city.” Pagan critics “Groan over the increasing number of the Christians” (Ad Nationes 1).
By taking into account Paul’s statements and the historical evidence, do you still believe the absurd claim that all anointed by the Holy Spirit amount to just 144,000? I hope you give it more thought after what I said!
What about the Great Crowd?
The great crowd is the same group as the 144,000 but viewed from a different angle. In Revelation 7:9, 14, we are told that “No one could number them”. This is because they are seen coming “Out of the great tribulation”, being gathered and sealed throughout the centuries, to serve God in His heavenly spiritual realm (a condition, not a location). Please refer to my article on the meaning of the great tribulation which might be shocking to some!
Wrapping it Up!
To sum it up, the Great Crowd is seen in the process of BEING gathered. The 144,000 are seen FULLY gathered and sealed. They are the same but seen in differing stages.
Armed with Scriptural knowledge in CONTEXT, I hope you are able now to see that the 144,000 are not some special class limited to only a few and that the Great Crowd is the same group seen coming into God's spiritual temple over the centuries.
Anyone who desires can join its throngs and receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Related Articles:
No Governing Body for True Believers!
The Meaning of the Great Tribulation!
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