Rumour 144,000 literal number teaching to be abandoned at Annual Meeting

by slimboyfat 135 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Gorb

  It was a hard core doctrine. Why change it? It creates only problems. It is not an issue to be solved.

  Gorby
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  Riley

  After spending a lifetime reading about different interpretations of the book of Revelation the only define conclusion I have drawn is it is really stupid to draw core dogma from it. It is more important to not be an asshole.
  
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  slimboyfat

  It was a hard core doctrine. Why change it? It creates only problems. It is not an issue to be solved.

  Because the numbers don’t work and the number of anointed keeps on increasing?
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  a watcher

  I hope so. Figurative would make more sense.
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  Duran

  Can anyone identify the last time WT affirmed the literal 144,000 teaching in print or in broadcast?

  Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY (jw.org)

  Hold your horses everybody, the rumour is they’re dropping the literal 144,000, this doesn’t necessarily mean dropping the anointed heavenly hope/other sheep earthly hope distinction.

  That's what I think. It will probably be said that there are those that will be chosen to rule with Jesus, but we no longer believe that it will be a literal number of 144K. We don't know how many there will be. Rev 20:4
  
  

  
  
  
  
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  ukpimo

  I can't see this happening unless they were releasing a revised Revelation book! Then in that instance they would have an excuse to change their doctrine concerning the 144,000.
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  LongHairGal

  BETH SARIM:

  You are right about the JW religion’s two-tier class system.

  This is why when I left the JW religion I made peace with the idea of death as it has always occurred. I felt the JW teaching of paradise earth was a cruel trick to play on my mind so I rid myself of it.. Maybe my Catholic upbringing made this easier for me to do this? I think nobody knows the answers about what happens to us.

  Can you imagine all the bitter JWs if they are told their exact expectation might not happen?
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  ukpimo

  Although the "it's a figurative number" line may be used, does it really add up? Does it really make sense? In the numerology of Revelation you have single numbers, then you have the 24 elders, then you have mentioned 12,000 from each tribe of Israel connected with the total number 144,000. It would be more feasible to stick with a literal number approach for most interpretations in the book, considering Jesus will rule for a literal 1000 years. This stupid "figurative" approach makes no sense whatsoever. It's either a number, or it isn't!
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  NotFormer

  "It was a hard core doctrine. Why change it? It creates only problems. It is not an issue to be solved."

  What is this: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"? slimboyfat is right, the whole doctrine was "broke" the first time the number of memorial partakers increased. I remember that number being about 10,000, and expecting it to go down. Now it's 20,000 or so. The system is broken.
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  Vanderhoven7

  Such a major change would be a disappointing blow to the rank and file that I think would result in serious hemorrhaging.