“Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
[Study 50 from ws 12/20 p.8, February 08 – February 14, 2021]
As Christians, we all look forward to being resurrected to be with our Lord in his Kingdom. The article here presupposes that the reader understands the two-hope doctrine presented by the Watchtower Organization. (1) That only a select group will go to heaven, and (2) the rest of those found worthy will be resurrected to an earthly Paradise. According to Watchtower doctrine, only those with the heavenly hope are part of the new covenant with Christ as mediator. All others simply benefit on a second-hand level from the value of Christ’s sacrifice and the promises found in the next several paragraphs. Paragraph 1 states “MOST people now serving Jehovah hope to live forever on earth. A remnant of spirit-anointed Christians, however, hope to be raised to life in heaven.”.
Notice, however, what Paul says in this regard in his letter to the Ephesians 4 starting in verse 4 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. “(New International Version)”.
Notice in this first paragraph we have no Scriptures cited! This Watchtower study article is primarily addressing the heavenly hope of that special anointed class according to Watchtower dogma.
Paragraph 2 continues to set the stage for the Organization’s particular slant on the theme subject by claiming “God inspired some of Jesus disciples in the first century to write about the heavenly hope.” Where in inspired Scripture is there ANY indication that the disciples were only writing to a special heavenly class? Because most Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they have an earthly hope, they are reading this and the Scriptures cited as applying only to those of the anointed class, those with the heavenly hope, according to Watchtower doctrine. 1 John 3:2 is cited: “We are now children of God, but it has not been made manifest what we will be. We do know that when he is made manifest, we will be like him.” The rest of the paragraph expounds on this. The problem is that there is no indication in the Scriptural context that this applies only to a special class of Christians. The earthly class is not counted as “children of God”. Only the anointed class will be with Christ according to this explanation.
(For a further discussion of this do a search on this website regarding the Resurrection, the 144,000, and the Great Crowd. Several articles will discuss these subjects in detail)
Paragraph 4 highlights the fact that we are living in dangerous times. True! The study article focuses on the persecution of the brothers and sisters. What about many other Christians being slaughtered each day in certain lands just for bearing the name Christian? In Nigeria, according to gatestoneinstitute.org, for example, 620 Christians were butchered by radical Muslim factions from January to Mid-May 2020. Persecution is affecting ALL who profess Christ, yet the focus seems to be that only Jehovah’s Witnesses are being persecuted. The Bible does offer a wonderful promise for those faithful Christians who are martyred for the name of Christ. We can look forward to the fulfilment of that promise. Notice too how the Watchtower continues to ignore the important role of Christ when addressing endurance of this persecution.
Paragraph 5 gives the illusion that today the Witnesses are the only people with a resurrection hope. While it is true that many non-Christians have lost faith in God and live only for today, many Christians do believe in the resurrection and have a sincere desire to serve Jesus and be with him.
Paragraph 6 however ties association into this picture. Why should a person be considered a bad association because he does not believe in the resurrection? Should this cause us to view that person as a bad associate? Many who are non-Christians lead good moral lives and are honest. Why does the article state; “No good can come from choosing as associates those who have a live-for-the-moment outlook. Being with such ones can ruin a true Christian’s viewpoint and habits.” The article cites 1 Corinthians 15:33, 34 “Do not be misled, bad association spoils useful habits. Come to your senses in a righteous way and do not practice sin.”.
While most would agree, that as a Christian we would probably not want to have close association with a drunkard, drug addict, or immoral person, the Watchtower seems to be extending this classification to anyone not a part of the Organization and is also trying to stop all association with such ones.
There are a number of things we must keep in mind regarding Paul’s discussion here. First, many in the Christian congregation of that time were converted Sadducees. Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. Also, Paul had to address a heresy that was beginning to develop. Corinth was a very immoral city. Many Christians were affected by the loose, immoral behavior of the surrounding inhabitants and were taking their Christian freedom to extremes (See Jude 4 and Galatians 5:13). We see this Corinthian attitude today as well and certainly, we have to exercise caution against becoming affected by such an attitude. But we do not have to go to the extreme of shutting out what Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to as “worldly people.” Read 1 Corinthians 5:9,10.
Paragraphs 8-10 discuss 1 Corinthians 15:39-41. The problem here is that the Organization is saying this only applies to the 144,000, and that all others will be given new fleshly bodies here on earth. Where does it say this in Paul’s letter? One must assume it from Watchtower’s dogma rather than Scripture.
Paragraph 10 states “So how can it be that a body is “raised up in incorruption”? Paul was not speaking of a human who is resurrected to life on earth, such as those raised by Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus. Paul was referring to a person who is resurrected with a heavenly body, that is, “a spiritual one.”—1 Cor. 15:42-44.”. There is no evidence that “Paul was not speaking of a human who is resurrected to life on earth”. Neither does Paul equate a heavenly body with a spiritual body. They are just speculation on the part of the Organization, stated as fact, to support their doctrine.
Paragraph 13-16 According to Watchtower doctrine, since 1914 the resurrection of the remnant of the 144,000 occurs as they die. They are transferred directly to heaven. So according to Watchtower Theology, the first resurrection has already occurred and is still occurring, and Christ has returned invisibly. But is that what the Bible teaches? Did Christ say he would return invisibly? Is he going to return twice?
First, there is no scriptural evidence Christ will return twice, once invisibly and once again at Armageddon! Their doctrine and this study article hinge on that supposition. If those ones had been resurrected on their deaths to join those believed to be of the anointed by the Organization, who died prior to 1914, what have they all been doing in heaven since that time? This subject is never discussed. Search the entire Watchtower CD-Rom or online library and you will not find even one article discussing what the resurrected ones of the 144,000 have been doing in heaven since their supposed resurrection. Notice, however, what Revelation 1:7 tells us about the coming of Christ: Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him…”. He is not invisibly present! (See the article on this website Examining Matthew 24).
Second, there is no Scriptural evidence that only 144,000 will enter into heaven nor that they are a special class of Christian. Such reasoning is conjecture and an attempt to twist Scripture to fit Watchtower doctrine. Again, there is no Scriptural backing for this doctrine. (See the article Who’s Who (Great Crowd or other Sheep).
Third, there is no Scriptural evidence that there are two classes of Christians as taught by the Organization, one with a heavenly hope and one with an earthly hope. John 10:16 clearly states that the “other sheep” will become “one flock”. Jesus was sent first to the Jews, later the door was opened to the other sheep, Gentiles who have been grafted into the one flock with one shepherd.
Fourth, there is no Scriptural evidence that the resurrection will occur sporadically throughout the thousand years (see Revelation 20:4-6). Only two resurrections are mentioned. Those who are followers of Christ who take part in the first resurrection and the rest of mankind who will be resurrected to judgment at the end of the thousand years.
Fifth, there is no clear scriptural evidence that any at all will be resurrected to heaven.[i]
Paragraph 16 emphasizes that our life depends on our loyalty to Jehovah by which they mean the Organization. In Watchtower dogma the Organization is synonymous with Jehovah! The Governing Body is the mediator between man and Christ therefore we must have complete trust and faith in the Governing Body! What happened to our faith in Jesus? Why isn’t that mentioned? See 1 Timothy 2:5. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus”. According to Watchtower dogma, this only applies to the “anointed”. The ORGANIZATION has set itself up as a mediator between Christ and those not of the “anointed class”. There is no indication in Scripture that this is so!
Paragraph 17 presents us with more propaganda by alluding to having a share in the preaching work we can gain, through our works, eternal life! That we must engage in the preaching work if we want to survive Armageddon! The Bible is clear that only our faith in our Lord Jesus can gain us salvation. While as Christians we want to share our faith with others as Christ commanded, we do this out of faith, not fear, obligation, or guilt! They refer here to 1 Corinthians 15:58 “… have plenty to do in the work of the Lord…”. This is not just referring to sharing our faith. It has to do with the way we lead our lives, the love we show others both spiritually and materially. It is not just about works! James 2:18 helps us to appreciate that if we have faith, it will be manifest in our works.
So, to boil this Watchtower study article down, it claims only 144,000 will be resurrected to heaven, and thus, the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 15 only apply to the anointed. The Watchtower Organization use the Fear Obligation and Guilt method of motivating the rank and file to remain loyal to the Organization, engage in the preaching work, and attend all the meetings to gain knowledge if they are to have salvation. They also offer no scriptural proof as to how the dead are to be raised up, the theme of the study article.
The Bible is clear, our salvation comes through Christ, not an ORGANIZATION. Notice John 11:25 “… ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.’” and Acts 4:12 speaking of Jesus: Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
[i] See the series “Mankind’s hope for the future, Where will it be?” for an in-depth examination of this topic. https://beroeans.net/2019/01/09/mankinds-hope-for-the-future-where-will-it-be-a-scriptural-examination-part-1/
Archived Comments
We have moved to the Disqus commenting system. To post a new comment, go to the bottom of this page.
Comment by marielle on 2021-02-07 12:21:41
Paul ayant dit en
I Corinthiens 1 5 : 12
"Comment se fait-il que certains parmi vous disent qu'il n'y a pas de résurrection des morts"
Et verset 19
"Si c'est pour cette vie seulement que nous avons mis notre espoir en Christ, nous sommes les plus à plaindre de tous les hommes".
Il est pour le moins étonnant que lui même, ne parle pas des millions de ressuscités sur la terre, mais seulement de 144 000 oints dont il n'a jamais entendu parler.
Comment by Zacheus on 2021-02-07 19:55:33
In reference to Theophylus above.
My brother fmr elder had Parkinsons. I wonder hm jw have that condition? I have done some looking into P and I have a gut feeling one of its "causes" for the want of the correct term is ..stress. HM more stressed are they who live under cognitive dissonance.
The damn wt org has a lot to answer for.Reply by Ad_Lang on 2021-02-12 03:52:53
I know of two (former) elders in the local congregation who have Parkinson. I don't know if cognitive dissonance (CD) is the cause for such stress. CD is the mental state that triggers this fight, flight or freeze reaction.
My experience is that the tension can be felt as soon as you deviate onto a line of reasoning that is contrary to the tradition (where did we come across that before?) One of those I still like to call a friend is the co-ordinator of our BoE. Got a few experiences with him:
We were essentially talking about going beyond what is written, and I mentioned the part of getting "married in the Lord". According to the strict rule, I (baptized, not an elder) could get married to an unbaptised publisher the day after she gets baptised. For that to happen, I would reasonably have had to date her before she got baptised. The "Shepherd the flock of God" book, however, takes a harder stance, encouraging the elders to mark me as disorderly if I were to do so, interestingly also implying that there's a fair reason for dating without a view to getting married. As soon as I finished mentioning the book, all he said was "I cannot discuss that".
On another occasion, he also went quiet once I mentioned that each letter in the Greek Scriptures (everything after Acts) was written by an individual, not by a group, let alone a governing body (check the very first verses).
Most recent example (this one I can sort of understand) was when I mentioned that one can get out of touch by doing too many spiritual things, adding that being "cautious as snakes" (should be serpents) also means being highly aware of one's direct environment. It may remind you of people walking away when Jesus said something controversial (John 6:56,60-66). What I referred to was that they are so absorbed in the ministry that they do not see what is really going on around us. I don't mean the panpanic, but the falsehoods around the lockdown most countries have been experiencing since March.
Comment by Menrov on 2021-02-08 05:09:14
Thanks for review. Indeed, lots of propaganda and WT dogma. 2 items though.
1) "The ORGANIZATION has set itself up as a mediator between Christ" I believe the organisation presents itself as equal to Jesus and as such, act as mediator between the R&F and Jehovah.
2) In my view, the bible does not teach that one can gain eternal life. If one believes in the ransom, you are free from sin and as such, eternal life will be granted (as grace). The bible seem to teach that one can lose the prospect of eternal life. It is like with an inheritance. You are entitled to receive it unless the inheritance is taken away. Your name is removed from the book of life.
Otherwise, what is the value of the ransom and believing in it?Reply by Ad_Lang on 2021-02-12 04:08:26
In reply to your first point: you seem quite right. They are a modern-day example like Korah (Numbers 16). In those days, Moses was appointed as God's spokesman, and Aaron as representative of the people (high priest). From Moses' answer to Korah in verses 8-11, it turns out that Korah felt entitled to share this privilege that Moses had. Likewise, the governing body is keen to share the unique position that Jesus has, which entitles him to give people directions (telling them what to do, when etc.). A similar thing was the case with the Pharisees and scribes in Jesus' days, who "have seated themselves in the seat of Moses" (Matthew 23). Jesus couldn't get more clear condemning their attitude and actions.
On the second point: I've found a lot of significant inaccuracies. Recently, I've asked a few what marks Jesus' true disciples, and they said "love". The actual answer is, however, "love among themselves" (John 13:34,35). The ministry does have an important place, without doubt, but not the foremost place that JWs generally give it.
Comment by Fani on 2021-02-08 06:40:54
Paul parle de la résurrection de tous les humains
1 cor 15 : 22 "En effet, de même qu’en Adam TOUS meurent, de même aussi dans le Christ TOUS seront ramenés à la vie."
Il n'est pas question ici d'un nombre restreint d'humains. TOUS LES HUMAINS ET NON PAS 144 000 sont morts en Adam !
DE MEME TOUS seront ramenés à la vie.
Paul ne parle pas d'une classe restreinte mais de tous les descendants d'Adam.
Comment by Beroeans Creed on 2021-02-08 15:12:17
Nice review with many examples of going “beyond what is written” examples in this WT study.
Just focusing on the topic of the resurrection and particularly who and where one is destined to live heaven or earth, I ask does it really matter?
Jesus promised everlasting life period, obviously a resurrection is required, but notice just from the book of John, Jesus did not mention the location of either heaven or earth, did he?
Here are a few familiar scriptures.
John 17:3, 3:16, 3:36, 4:14, 6:40, 6:54, 5:24, 6:27, 4:36, 5:39, 10:28 none of these mention heaven or earth. Everlasting Life should not concern us like the real estate industries focus on “location, location, location, would not just gaining the gift of everlasting life be enough? Would we really complain about “where?” If Christians had that as their focus, it would be impossible to create class distinctions.
We can get lost as many have throughout the ages with long debates over translated and interpolation of words and their meanings as if those instead of Jesus simple teachings that lead to life. Did Jehovah really want all Christians to have the Knowledge or abilities as say Tadu with his series on “Mankind’s hope for the future, where will it be?” an incredibly detailed researched academic study on this topic?
Although of interest to many Bible students, it is unlikely this would be possible for most to put together or understand for that matter to be able to teach others. Search the net and you will find every variation of belief on this topic all supported by use of scripture by so called theologians.
Christianity is reproduceable in it’s simplicity, otherwise there would not be many disciples of Christ, and Christ teachings contained what we need now for salvation and we should leave the rest to be filled in later. John 16:12
The simple explanation that the WT organization has given with their eisegetical scripture choices, (assuming everyone here knows what they teach) was probably one of the things that attracted many to Jehovah’s Witnesses due to its simplicity and to this day one of the easiest for over 8 million followers to believe and teach others, will they be condemned if they have parts wrong?
Yes, we can all debate details like, are the 144 K a literal number and the only to go to heaven, will they rule from heaven or earth or both, the great crowd, etc.
Shouldn’t our focus be just doing all we can in following the Christ and gaining everlasting life no matter where our personal destinations may be?Reply by Beroeans Creed on 2021-02-10 12:54:56
Well JW I agree with much of what you wrote, but I still contend it matters not that we have complete understanding of human destinies of where we spend everlasting life. If it was an absolute requirement for salvation it would certainly be very plain for all to read and the debates would be few and far between, or is Jehovah not a God of order and unable to have that recorded and emphasized as it would mean our salvation?
The bottom line, everyone can choose what works for them on this topic, as for me along with the scriptures, my understanding of God's purpose, and most importantly to me, using my gift of reason, humans where created to live forever on planet earth, the billions who have died will be resurrected back to life on earth, it makes sense Jehovah would have some former humans participate in the Kingdom in some representative (of humans) capacity whether on the earth or the heavens as co-rulers, kings, priest or both under the King Jesus as they would have had experience with imperfection of humans and be qualified to aid mankind back to perfection.
Yes that aligns with WT teachings, be that as it may, it works for me and because I am convinced whatever the reality of what it turns out to actually be living under the Kingdom, having it correct now has nothing to do with my gaining everlasting life and that's OK.Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2021-02-11 12:14:59
Hi BC, I am glad someone here goes along with the possibility of heaven being the destiny for Christians. Like you, I can see nothing definite to say this is not the case, Although I still cannot fit the rest of the resurrection in properly. As you imply,, it is not so important where we end up, as long as it is under the Kingdom, and not under the dictates of men who care more about their own teachings than what the bible says.
Comment by marielle on 2021-02-09 02:13:36
I Corinthiens 15 : 51,52
51 Écoutez ! Je vais vous dire un saint secret : nous ne nous endormirons pas TOUS dans la mort, mais TOUS nous serons changés+, 52 en un instant, en un clin d’œil, durant la sonnerie de la dernière trompette. Car la trompette sonnera+, et LES MORTS seront ressuscités impérissables, et nous serons changés.
Bien sûr en langage JW nous devons comprendre que « TOUS » signifie « reste des 144 000 chrétiens oints en 2000 ans.
DURANT la dernière trompette : ἐν
Traduit ailleurs par : at - when - for - in.
Jamais par DURING.
Spécialement traduit ainsi pour faire durer la résurrection « des oints » depuis 1918.
Idem pour la traduction de « durant » la présence de Christ.Reply by rudytokarz on 2021-02-09 10:10:14
Great point when considering the Last Trumpet. As NWT cross reference associates 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 to 1 Corinthians 15:51,52, they ignore that this occurs once at the LAST TRUMPET! Obviously this matches with the FIRST RESURRECTION and (in some way) must include ALL that will be changed.
Revelation 11:15 shows that the 7th angel blows his trumpet; the LAST one. WT says that this chapter speaks of 1914 invisible enthronement but then why did not ALL get 'changed in the blink of an eye'?
We don't all need to be scholars; simply read what the Bible says (even if using NWT), pay attention to the cross references and use COMMON SENSE instead of only repeating what the ORG says without checking.
Comment by hegoak on 2021-02-09 10:35:27
théophilis bravo pour ton courrage et tu n'est pas seul dans cette situation. mon cas est similaire et j'ai rendu toutes mes charges de berger , je participe au pain et au vin lors du mémorial en respect et a l'invitation du seigneur jésus et cela dérange le collège d'hommes sensés servir l'unique source de vérité , Christ. Pour ne pas etre une source d'achoppement pour mon épouse que j'amène doucement mais surement a voir la vrai vérité de jésus , je me comporte dignement mème si cela me ronge les narrines. Grace a la puissance de l'esprit saint qui est tellement vivante , je passiante dans la paix .
Comment by katrina on 2021-02-10 06:04:54
Have never had any desire to go to heaven, I cannot imagine not living on this earth when it is restored in its beauty and all the animals this is how I feel personally, though I think we do not really know what God has in store for those that love him, we all will have a place no matter where.
Reply by Frankie on 2021-02-10 16:38:33
Agree, Katrina. "I think we do not really know what God has in store for those that love him, we all will have a place no matter where." - 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Comment by safeguardyourheart on 2021-02-10 16:25:22
Be strong and remain strong Theophilus.
Really enjoy the review. A great way of shutting down the two hope doctrine is the Ephesians 4:3-4 about the ONE HOPE. It is easy for JWs to rage against trinitarian citing numerous verse about God being ONE but when it comes to Christian hope they turn a blind eye to Bible verses that states it emphatically in order to preach the ONE OF TWO HOPES FOR CHRISTIAN which concerns the 144K.
Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2021-02-12 12:10:48
i should have said earlier
Well done Theophillis, and welcome (whatever name you used to go under)..
Comment by LVReyes on 2021-02-18 09:31:05
The author of this article, Theophilis* (sic), wrongly assumes that, "there is no clear scriptural evidence that any at all will be resurrected to heaven." This is very regrettable.
The scriptures clearly teach a heavenly reward to the faithful believers in Christ, this paradise is found in the third heaven according to the Apostle Paul (2 Cor 12:2). For a better understanding of the relation of Heaven to Earth in the Bible see this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2AQlK6C5k
--------
*Theophilis is the dative plural of Theophilus and would have the meaning of "to the Theophiluses".Reply by Tadua on 2021-02-18 14:47:28
Hi LVReyes
It's interesting you claim the scriptures clearly teach a heavenly reward. Just last week I received a very nice cartoon book through the door from a local church, (non-mainstream) For many of its claims (which were accurate) it provided scriptures that clearly backed up its claim. Noticeably for its claim of "God the son" and the "promise of all faithful Christians is in heaven" there were no scriptures cited. Why not? I can but posit, that it is because such a scripture does not exist.
I would challenge you to provide one scripture that clearly and unequivocally supports your claim that "The scriptures clearly teach a heavenly reward to the faithful believers in Christ". I would accept that you can interpret some as saying that, but, if that is the hope for all Christians, the great teacher, Jesus Christ, failed to teach this clearly. That, however, I cannot accept, after all, Jesus clearly taught there would be a resurrection from the grave, that God is love, etc, etc. Why then would he have sounded an "indistinct call" to heaven, especially given that would have been a big departure from what the Jews believed? To me, that does not make sense, and I need a reasonable good explanation for that.
When I researched and wrote the first articles on the resurrections, I began to realise that the Great Crowd and the Little flock were not two groups with different destinies, but the Gentiles and the little flock of Jews who became Christians. That meant they had the same hope. I, therefore, decided to investigate from a blank slate what the Bible really taught about the hope for the future. The articles on Mankind's Hope for the Future, were the result of it. I had no preconcieved ideas, I just wanted to see what the Bible taught, was the one hope in heaven or was it on earth? As you have read, if you go through the Bible chronologically identifying what the Patriarchs, Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets, the first century Jews believed, which provides the background and context for Jesus teachings, then his teachings, then that of the apostles, you come to realise that the default belief was to be resurrected to the earth, "the meek will inherit the earth", and Jesus did nothing to change that, and nor did his apostles.
One can misread the English language Bible or misunderstand the meaning of a word. A common misconception is that "heavenly" hope, means a hope of going to heaven. However, a "heavenly" hope is a hope OF in the sense of FROM or BELONGING TO heaven, as the source, not a hope TO BE IN heaven, as the destination. The reality is, the Bible does not teach a change of destiny. We can wish it, we can believe it does, but that does not make it so in fact and reality.
Comment by Fani on 2021-03-08 02:29:01
Que penser de 2 Corinthiens 4 : 14 "celui qui a ressuscité Jésus nous ressuscitera aussi avec Jésus et qu’il nous présentera, nous ainsi que vous" ?
Paul dit qu'on doit être ressuscité AVEC Jésus.
Je n'ai pas l'impression que Paul parle d'une résurrection sur la terre.