Heaven

"The 'Lamb' referred to here is, of course, Jesus Christ; and this 'Mount Zion' is not on earth, but in heaven where Jesus is. (John 1:29; Heb. 12:22) So the 144,000 are persons who die on earth as humans and are resurrected to heavenly life as spirit creatures, as Jesus was. (Rom. 6:5) When compared with the thousands of millions of persons who live on earth, they are, indeed, a 'little flock.. Even single cities that have more than 144,000 residents are common on earth today. However, the 'little flock' who go to heaven are not the only ones who receive salvation. As we have seen, they will have a vast number of happy earthly subjects. Jesus referred to these as his 'other sheep,' of whom 'a great crowd' are even now serving God faithfully.John 10:16; Rev. 7:9, 15."

"So the 144,000 are persons who die on earth as humans and are resurrected to heavenly life as spirit creatures, as Jesus was. (Romans 6:5) When compared with the thousands of millions of persons who live on earth, they are, indeed, a 'little flock.' However, the 'little flock' who go to heaven are not the only ones who receive salvation. As we have seen, they will have happy earthly subjects. Jesus referred to these as his 'other sheep,' of whom 'a great crowd' are even now serving God faithfully."

" But do all those who accept Christ and hope to live forever receive this 'holy calling' to incorruptible life in the heavens? Indicating that this special calling is meant for a limited number of 'elect' (Authorized Version) or 'chosen ones,' Paul adds: 'On this account I go on enduring all things for the sake of the chosen ones, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in union with Christ Jesus along with everlasting glory. Faithful is the saying: Certainly if we died together, we shall also live together; if we go on enduring, we shall also rule together as kings.'2 Tim. 2:10-12."

"Under its direction the heavenly hope was held out, highlighted and stressed until about the year 1935. Then as 'light flashed up' to reveal clearly the identity of the "great crowd" of Revelation 7:9, the emphasis began to be placed on the earthly hope."

"Down to the spring of 1935 the dedicated, baptized witnesses of Jehovah had entertained in true faith the 'one hope' that was set before them in Ephesians 4:4-6, as follows: 'One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all persons.' But in that memorable year of 1935, at the convention held in Washington, D.C., the 'great multitude,' as visualized at Revelation 7:9-17 (Authorized Version), was identified as being composed of the Fine Shepherd's 'other sheep' of John 10:16."

"David, Job and John the Baptizer will receive a resurrection to life on earth. In fact, all faithful men and women who died before Jesus died had the hope of living again on earth, not in heaven. They will be resurrected to become some of the earthly subjects of God's kingdom"

"However, Jesus did not mean that only those apostles would rule with him in his heavenly Kingdom. Later it was made known that 144,000 redeemed from the earth would have that grand privilege."

" In time the prescribed but limited number of 144,000 would be filled. The final sealing of these spiritual Israelites as approved would be near. (Rev. 7:1-8) Then Jehovah, by means of his spirit and the understanding of his Word that he made possible for his visible organization, would direct matters so as to fulfill another part of his purpose, as described in Revelation 7:9-17. A 'great crowd' out of all nations would be gathered, with the thrilling prospect of surviving the great tribulation and living forever in perfection amid an earthly Paradise."

"But does not the Bible show that some people will go to heaven? Yes, the Bible does teach that a limited number go to heaven for a special reason. God does not need humans in heaven; nor does he have to take them to heaven in order to give them eternal happiness. Otherwise, why did he not create them in heaven to begin with, dispensing with all the suffering and turmoil they have gone through while on earth?"