The Hobbesian Metaphysician wrote:Herskerstad wrote:In regards to JW theology and their takes on the anointed ones and the great crowd?
Try me.
So what do they legitimately believe happens to everyone outside of that specified number?
Well, it's best to summarize to a degree as the JW differences with biblical Christianity has a few glaring differences. Key words being few and glaring with a great deal of theology embedded into them which sometimes confuses the language. Anyhow, it's late so I'll give it my best shot.
Essentially that their hope is an earthly rather than an heavenly one which is a bit of a play on words. I've always wondered a bit why the anointed ones in Brooklyn did not increase in numbers given how simple it would be given their process while it was still ongoing, but theirs is the more or less 'ironclad' salvation and one that they'd define as a heavenly hope. They will in their theology while not given particular credence on earth be one in which they, alongside with Christ who is one of them, shepherd the flock. Who's also one of the 144000 who'll be in heaven. That's something to point out also. It's not so much a rank as it is a declared state. It's also a duty which is tough words coming from JW's which might explain some of the former. While 99,9% of JW you will meet today is part of the great herd 'who's hope is earthly', if you stick around Brooklin you might still encounter a few who'll classify themselves as being of the anointed ones.
However, the JW does not believe that man has a spiritual nature. That we do not 'have' a soul' but that we 'are' a soul. However, resurrection for them is not resurrection as understood by the wast majority of Christians. According to them when we die, righteous or not so, it's a full-on soul sleep concept. Then Jehovah recreates them based on his perfect memory of who they were. If you've played the recent game SOMA then you kind of get an idea as to this concept, but that which rises in their place is more a replica than a person being brought back to life so to speak. Sure, it has a consciousness as you, but it won't be yours. This helps explain why the JW historically have been 'keen' on the rapture so to speak. For those whom are spared in that will not die and achieve their rank so to speak. Though, it should be said with caution as the JW's theology has been in somewhat of a flux in recent decades. Now more is being chalked up to the state of mystery and death not being the end, meaning that they rely on 'hope' even in the face of death. And while they have not departed entirely from their understanding of the soul, if you look very closely on how they sometimes phrase resurrection and life after death it will very rarely tie in directly personal which is intentional.
And based on this, those whom are resurrected 'in their terminology' will be those whom God judges as righteous. Those judged not to be so will not be resurrected at all. Those who die on the apocalypse will be dead forever. Now, the wast majority in this case falls in the crowd of those whom will be risen and will be given something of a thousand year trial, to which if they mess up once, well, do your best lightning-zap motion. Though one can also simply opt out during this trial period. There will also be an end trial at the end of this which no one knows what will be, but if that's passed then they will have eternal security. Forming the new government on earth ruled by Christ and his anointed ones as an eternal king. They say it will be the best administration that has been known, i've only ever heard it described as sort of a perfect worship picnic. So I guess one can take from that what one wills.