Jehovah’s Witnesses have some unique beliefs about the end times and eternal state that differ from mainstream Christian thought. Here is an overview of what Jehovah’s Witnesses teach based on their interpretation of the Bible:
The Last Days and Great Tribulation
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe we are living in the last days of this current world system. They believe the sign Jesus gave about the “last days” at Matthew 24:3-14 is being fulfilled now. This includes wars, food shortages, earthquakes, lawlessness and the preaching of the good news globally. They view the last days as a period leading up to the Great Tribulation.
The Great Tribulation is understood to be a future time of global distress and destruction that will come upon the entire world prior to God’s kingdom taking complete control of the earth. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Great Tribulation will start suddenly when the United Nations turns against false religion and destroys her influence globally (as foretold at Revelation 17:16,17). The Great Tribulation will be a definite period of time, not just a loose period of distress and problems. It is referred to as “a great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning” (Matthew 24:21).
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Great Tribulation will commence when Satan is cast out of heaven and allowed a short period of time on the earth to express his great anger, knowing he has a short period of time left (Revelation 12:7-12). The Great Tribulation is thought to serve multiple purposes:
- To destroy Satan’s entire worldly system of things, including all false religion. God will put “into their hearts to carry out his thought” to devastate and expose false religion globally (Revelation 17:16, 17).
- To test and refine true Christians, purifying them and separating the true sheep from the goats.
- To give a final witness to as many people as possible before God’s Kingdom takes over rule of the earth.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that during this tribulation no one will be able to buy or sell without the “mark of the wild beast”, implying a one world governmental system will emerge. Because of standing firm for God’s kingdom and refusing the mark, they expect to be persecuted and even killed (Revelation 13:15-17). However, God will cut short those days to preserve his people alive (Matthew 24:22).
Jesus Christ’s Millennial Reign
After the tribulation ends, Jesus Christ will commence his millennial reign over the earth. The millennium refers to Christ’s 1000 year reign as King of God’s Kingdom. Jesus will rule along with 144,000 co-rulers taken from among mankind (Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:4-6). Some key aspects of the millennium that Witnesses believe include:
- Satan will be bound and unable to mislead anyone during this time (Revelation 20:1-3).
- The earth will be transformed into a paradise and mankind will enjoy peace and perfect health (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Revelation 21:3, 4).
- People spoken of as a “great crowd” at Revelation 7:9 will enjoy life on earth forever (Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 37:11, 29).
- The resurrection of billions of people will occur so that all those God deems worthy may enjoy life on a paradise earth forever (Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29).
- Wickedness and death will gradually be eliminated from the earth as people obey Christ’s rulership (Isaiah 26:9).
- The earth will be brought to perfection, filled with righteous inhabitants.
The final test before perfect everlasting life on earth is granted will be when Satan is released for a final short time at the end of Christ’s rule. After being quickly defeated, Satan will be destroyed and Christ’s brother subjects will enjoy everlasting life in perfection (Revelation 20:7-10, John 3:16).
What About Heaven and Hell?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe heaven is a real place where Jesus Christ resides and where the 144,000 co-rulers with Christ will live (Revelation 14:1-3). However, they believe the Bible teaches most people can hope to enjoy paradise on earth, not in heaven, as their eternal home (Psalm 37:29). They point out the original purpose God set forth for mankind was an earthly paradise, and this purpose will be fulfilled (Genesis 1:28).
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the traditional Christian views of hell as a place of fiery eternal torment. They believe the Bible teaches that the wages of sin for the unrepentant is simply death, being consumed and destroyed forever. There is no concept of torment forever or eternal suffering (Romans 6:23; James 5:20). Gehenna was an actual valley outside Jerusalem used as a garbage dump that was kept burning and where corpses of criminals were tossed. They believe references to destruction in “Gehenna” illustrate complete destruction, not eternal suffering (Matthew 23:33).
Rather than eternal suffering in hellfire, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the alternative for all mankind is simply eternal death – not existing anymore. They point to scriptures that say “the soul that sins shall die” and the wicked will suffer “destruction” not eternal torment (Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Matthew 7:13,14). They believe eternal life is a gift from God, and rejecting that gift means losing life forever, not suffering eternally.
A New Heaven and New Earth
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this earth was created to be mankind’s permanent home. God’s original purpose will be fulfilled as the earth is cleaned of all wickedness and brought to perfection during Christ’s millennial reign. After Christ’s final decisive victory over Satan at the end of the millennium, Witnesses believe Revelation chapters 21 and 22 prophesy of a newly restored earth.
They believe the Bible speaks of “new heavens” (heavenly government over earth) and a “new earth” (new righteous society on earth) that will bring God’s purpose for the earth to completion and provide for mankind’s eternal needs. (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13). Everlasting life on a paradise earth is the ultimate hope for righteous mankind.
The “holy city” that comes down to earth describes God’s heavenly government over the earth, consisting of Christ and his 144,00 co-rulers. This heavenly city will come down to a perfected earth to rule over mankind forever. (Revelation 21:1-5). Witnesses believe this city represents where resurrected spirit creatures from heaven, led by Christ, will dwell to lead mankind on earth. They will walk the earth alongside mankind to maintain New Jerusalem’s rulership and bless obedient humans with everlasting life in an eternal paradise.
This paradise earth is what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe to be the ultimate destiny of mankind under God’s Kingdom. Obedient humans will enjoy sin-free everlasting life on earth as God originally purposed (Revelation 21:3, 4). The human and spirit realms will be joined in harmony under Christ’s headship forever.
Key Differences From Mainstream Christianity
In summary, here are some key differences between Jehovah’s Witness beliefs and mainstream Christian thought about the end times and eternity:
- Good people do not go to heaven. Eternal life on earth is the hope.
- Wicked and unbelievers do not suffer forever in hellfire. They are destroyed without hope of resurrection.
- Only 144,000 chosen ones go to heaven to rule as kings with Christ.
- Jesus Christ’s millennial reign is a literal 1,000 years that brings paradise conditions worldwide.
- This earth is mankind’s permanent home that will be transformed into an eternal paradise.
While Jehovah’s Witnesses share some common ground about Christ’s return, the Great Tribulation, and God’s kingdom, they have reinterpreted major parts of the Bible’s eschatology to come up with unique beliefs about the end times and afterlife. This serves as a summary overview of the unique interpretations of Jehovah’s Witnesses.