The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 selected Christians will go to heaven to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. This number comes from Revelation 7:4 and Revelation 14:1, 3. They believe this number is symbolic rather than literal, representing a “little flock” rather than a precise number (Luke 12:32).
The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the 144,000 will be resurrected to heavenly life as spirit creatures to rule with Christ in heaven. They will serve as kings and priests alongside Jesus Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 5:10, 20:6). This group is also referred to as the “anointed class” or “heavenly class.”
The majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses hope to live forever on a paradise earth. They view themselves as the “other sheep” mentioned in John 10:16. They say Christ’s ransom sacrifice opened the way for believers to gain everlasting life on earth rather than in heaven (John 3:16). This group is referred to as the “great crowd” or “earthly class.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God predetermined and foreordained the exact number of 144,000 to go to heaven. They believe God has progressively selected persons from the first century until the present to fulfill the number of 144,000. The Witnesses teach that the heavenly calling ended in 1935 when the full number of 144,000 was “sealed” (Revelation 7:1-4).
Since 1935, all Jehovah’s Witnesses are considered to be of the earthly class with the hope of living forever in an earthly paradise. They do not believe there is any hope of going to heaven, as that calling ended in 1935 after the number 144,000 was filled.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the 144,000 will be resurrected first to rule with Christ from heaven during the millennium. They will serve as kings, priests, and judges during the 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6). After Armageddon destroys the wicked on earth, the 144,000 will rule over the paradise earth from heaven with Christ.
During Christ’s millennial reign, the Witnesses believe the earth will be transformed into a paradise and the vast majority of humankind, the earthly class, will be resurrected. These ones will have the opportunity to gain everlasting life in paradise on earth. The 144,000 will administer Christ’s kingdom rule over them from heaven.
At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released for a final test before he is destroyed (Revelation 20:7-10). After this, judgment day occurs. Those who faithfully passed their tests by resisting Satan will gain everlasting life on a paradise earth. Those who fail will be destroyed forever, since the ransom no longer applies.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only the 144,000 are born again. They are born again as spiritual sons of God to rule with Christ from heaven (John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:3-4). The earthly class are not born again, but are declared righteous by God to live forever on a paradise earth (Psalms 37:11, 29).
The 144,000 identify themselves through partaking of the bread and wine at the annual Memorial of Christ’s death. They believe they are the only ones who should partake, since they are the only ones going to heaven. The other Witnesses attend but do not partake, signifying their earthly hope. As the number of partakers decreases over time, this is said to prove that the heavenly calling ended in 1935 after 144,000 were selected.
In summary, the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a two-class system. The 144,000 “anointed class” or “little flock” will rule with Christ in heaven over a paradise earth. The “other sheep” or “great crowd” have the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth.
This belief in two separate hopes comes from their interpretations of certain Bible verses:
- Revelation 7:4; 14:1,3 – 144,000 chosen to rule from heaven
- Luke 12:32 – Little flock
- John 10:16 – Other sheep
- Revelation 20:4-6 – Heavenly class rules as kings and priests
- Psalms 37:11,29 – Earthly subjects living on paradise earth
The calling of the heavenly class ended in 1935 after 144,000 were selected. Since then all Witnesses are considered part of the earthly class. Only 144,000 partake at the Memorial as proof they are the only ones with a heavenly hope.
This two-class system, heavenly and earthly, is a fundamental doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their entire salvation hope depends on which group they belong to – those with a heavenly or earthly hope.
The Basis for the 144,000
The Jehovah’s Witnesses base their teaching about the 144,000 on a literal interpretation of Revelation 7:4 and 14:1, 3:
Revelation 7:4 (ESV) – “And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel”
Revelation 14:1 (ESV) – “Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
Revelation 14:3 (ESV) – “And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.”
They take this literally to mean that only 144,000 people from the first century until 1935 would go to heaven to rule with Christ. After this number was fulfilled, the heavenly calling ended and all Witnesses since then have an earthly hope.
However, many Bible scholars don’t take these verses literally. The book of Revelation contains a lot of symbolism and numerology. The number 144,000 may simply represent completeness, perfection, and the people of God rather than a literal number.
For example, in Revelation 14:1 the 144,000 have the name of Christ and the Father written on their foreheads. This seems symbolic, representing God’s people rather than a physical mark. The entire book of Revelation is highly symbolic with many prophetic visions and messages conveyed through signs and metaphors.
Basis for Two-Class Salvation
The Jehovah’s Witnesses base their belief in two classes of saved Christians, heavenly and earthly, primarily on their interpretations of these verses:
- John 10:16 – “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” This is said to refer to the earthly class.
- Luke 12:32 – “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” This “little flock” is said to refer to the 144,000 heavenly class.
- Revelation 7:9 – “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands…” This great crowd is the earthly class.
However, these verses do not definitively prove two classes of Christians with different hopes. John 10:16 could simply refer to Gentile believers being brought into the one flock of Jewish Christians. Luke 12:32 may call believers a “little flock” due to their persecution, not due to limited heavenly positions. And Revelation 7:9 is a visionary look at believers in heaven from all nations, not an earthly group.
The two-class doctrine may impose an unnecessary construct on verses meant to encourage and unify believers, not divide them into groups with different outcomes.
144,000 Are Born Again
The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that being born again applies only to the 144,000 who are born again as spiritual sons of God:
John 3:3 – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
They say these verses refer exclusively to the calling and resurrection of the 144,000 to heaven. However, many Christians believe spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ applies to all believers who will inherit salvation, whether on earth or in heaven.
Scripture often refers to one group of redeemed believers using different terms interchangeably, rather than separate classes with different hopes:
- Church – Colossians 1:18
- Bride of Christ – Revelation 19:7
- Body of Christ – Ephesians 4:12
- God’s household – Ephesians 2:19
- Chosen people, royal priesthood – 1 Peter 2:9
- Flock – John 10:16
These do not seem to refer to different classes, but one body of believers both in heaven and on earth.
Only 144,000 Partake at Memorial
Each year at the Memorial of Christ’s death, the Jehovah’s Witnesses pass around emblems of bread and wine. Only those who claim to be of the 144,000 heavenly class partake of the emblems. This is based on their interpretations of verses like:
Luke 22:19 – And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:26 – For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
However, Jesus did not institute the Lord’s Supper only for a heavenly class. These verses were spoken to all his disciples and followers. Nothing indicates that only 144,000 should partake.
The declining number of partakers (around 20,000 today) is said to prove the heavenly calling ceased in 1935. However, rather than proving their doctrines, this could demonstrate a numerical fabrication unfounded in Scripture.
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” He did not exclude anyone from partaking, but rather extended it to all believers until his return.
Two Salvations
In summary, the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in two salvations:
- Heavenly Class – 144,000 anointed ones who are born again as spiritual sons of God. They will rule with Christ in heaven.
- Earthly Class – Great crowd of other believers who hope to live forever on a paradise earth.
However, Scripture does not definitively teach two separate classes of Christians. All believers have been granted redemption through Christ’s sacrifice:
Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
1 Peter 1:18-19 – You were ransomed…with the precious blood of Christ.
While God may grant different roles and positions in the afterlife, salvation is not limited to only 144,000, but offered to all who come to Christ in faith (John 3:16). The two-class system divides believers in a way not clearly taught in Scripture.
The Bible upholds one faith, one Lord, one baptism – not separate hopes divided between heaven and earth (Ephesians 4:4-6). The redeemed of God include people from every tribe, tongue, nation and language (Revelation 5:9). Christ’s blood has paid for saints below, above, and on the earthly sphere.