What Is God's Kingdom? Continued

God has selected some humans  to rule with Jesus in the heavenly government.  For example, the apostle Paul told Timothy: "If we go on enduring, will also rule together as kings." (2 Timothy 2:12)  How many will rule as kings with Jesus?

As we learned in Chapter 7, the apostle John was given a vision where he saw Jesus as King in heaven with 144,000 other kings . Who are the 144,000?  John explains that they "have [Jesus]name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads." and he adds:  "These are the ones who keep following the Lamb [that is, Jesus]  no matter where he goes.  These were bought from among mankind." (Read Revelation 14:1, 4)  The 144,000 are faithful Christian whom God has chosen "to rule as kings over the earth" with Jesus.  When they die, they are resurrected to life in heaven.  (Revelation 5:10)  Since the time of the apostles, Jehovah has been choosing faithful Christians to be part of that group of 144,000 kings.

Jehovah cares for us so much that he has arranged for humans to rule with Jesus>  Jesus will be a good ruler because he understands us. He knows what it is like to be a human and to suffer.  Paul said that Jesus feels for us, he can "sympathize with our weaknesses," and he  "has been tested in all respects as we have."  (Hebrews 4:15; 5:8)   The 144,000 also know what it is like to be a human. And they have struggled with imperfection and sickness. S0 we can be sure that Jesus and the 144,000 will understand not only how we feel but also the problems we have to deal with.

Next time: What Is God's Kingdom? - WHAT WILL GOD'S KINGDOM DO? 

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