The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW ONE KNOWS WHETHER HE IS OF THE "LITTLE FLOCK"

 In the past did you believe all good persons go to heaven? If so, and if you endeavored to live a good life, you may as well expected to be included among them. You may also have hoped in this way to be reunited with your loved ones who you have just lost in death. But when you had that expectation, did you know that the Bible says that such faithful servants of God as King David and John the Baptist did not go to heaven? (Acts 2:29, 34; Matthew 11:11) At that time did you know that only 144,000 chosen from among mankind over the past nineteen centuries would gain heavenly life? And did you know then that the Bible holds out hope of eternal life under righteous conditions here on earth for all others who would become faithful servants of God? -PSALM 37:10, 11, 29 [36:10, 11, 29, Dy]. 

When you were thinking about heavenly life for yourself, did you believe in the immortality of the human soul? Then, understandably, you may have hoped that your soul would go to heaven. But if you had such a hope it was not because God's spirit was bearing witness to you. To the contrary, as you now know, God's inspired Word says that the human soul dies and goes out of existence. So those who die must depend on God to resurrect them to whatever place he wills for them. -EZEKIEL 18:4; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:35-38. 

Next time: The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW ONE KNOWS WHETHER HE IS OF THE "LITTLE FLOCK" -Conclusion

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW ONE KNOWS WHETHER HE IS OF THE "LITTLE FLOCK"

 Members of the "little flock" know that God has called them to heavenly life. How? By means of the operation of God's spirit, which implants and cultivates in them the hope of heavenly life.  The apostle Paul, as one of the "little flock," wrote: "The spirit itself bears witness without spirit that we are God's children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16, 17) The operation of God's spirit changes the entire outlook of such a person, so that his thoughts and prayers are centered upon serving God with the heavenly hope in view. Being with Christ in heaven is more important to him than any earthly ties. 

No doubt you have thought about this matter, and perhaps you have wondered whether you are one who will receive heaven life. Before one can properly analyze his situation, he needs an understanding of what the Bible teaches on this matter. Why? Because God's holy spirit that bears witness that one has been called to heavenly glory is the same spirit that directed the writing of the Bible. With this in mind, let us examine the situation. 

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW MANY GO TO HEAVEN?

 Those who are called by God to share in such heavenly service are few in number. As Jesus said, they are a "little flock." Years after his return to heaven, Jesus made known the exact number in a vision to the apostle John, who wrote: "I saw, and, look the Lamb standing upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand . . .who have been bought from the earth." (Revelation 14:1, 3) The "Lamb "referred to here is not on earth, but in heaven where Jesus is. (John 1:29; Hebrews 12:22) So the 144,000 are persons to 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 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. - JOHN 10:16; REVELATION 7:9, 15.

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - The Reason Why a "Little Flock" Goes to Heaven - Conclusion

 At Revelation 20:6 we read concerning those who would return to heavenly life: "They will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years." Jesus Christ is the principal king and the high priest, and these faithful ones taken from the earth to serve with him. - REVELATION 5:9, 10. 

Why are they chosen from the earth for such a work? Because it was here at this earth that Jehovah's rulership was challenged. It was here that the faithfulness of the men to God could be put to the test under opposition from the Devil. It was here that Jesus proved his full loyalty to Jehovah God under test and gave his life as a ransom for mankind. So it was from this earth that Jehovah arranged ti take a "little flock" of persons to be associated with His Son in the heavenly kingdom. They are persons who show faith in God's provision for salvation through Christ. They are ones whose lives proved the Devil to be a liar when he charged that men serve God only for selfish advantage. Jehovah has marvelously purposed to use them for is glory. - EPHESIANS  1:9-12. 

As kings and priests under the direction of Jesus Christ, they will serve from their heavenly positions in carrying out Jehovah's will toward mankind. How wonderful it will be to have as rulers those who have proved faithful to God! (Revelation 20:4) And how loving of God to put in office those who have experienced the problems common to humankind! Surely, they, like Christ, will deal in an understanding way with their subjects. (Hebrews 2:17, 18) What a blessing it will be to the inhabitants of earth as these heavenly priests apply to them the benefits of Christ's ransom sacrifice, healing them spiritually, mentally and physically until they reach perfection! - REVELATION 21:2-4.

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - The Reason Why a "Little Flock" Goes to Heaven

 While Jesus Christ was yet with his followers here on earth, he spoke to them about heavenly life. He told them that he   was to prepare a place for them and that, in time, they would be there with him. (John 14:1-3) Millions of persons have set their hearts on such heavenly life But do you know why God has arranged some persons to go to heaven? Do you know what they will do there? 

During his earth ministry Jesus said much about the "Kingdom of God." He taught his followers to pray by means of the Kingdom, God's will be done here on earth. Thus, the earth would become a delightful home for mankind. But the Kingdom or government itself, would be that of God in heaven, and for this reason Jesus often referred to it as the "kingdom of the heavens." (Matthew 5:20; 6:9, 10) This helps us to understand what he meant when he said: "Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) Yes, God would give this "little flock the heavenly government over all mankind. 

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW LONG WILL THE TEST CONTINUE? - Conclusion

' There is only a short time left before Jehovah will destroy this wicked system of things. This remaining time gives us the opportunity to take sides with him and 'make his heart rejoice.' (Proverbs 27:11) If we willingly submit to his rulership, he will bless us with eternal life in his new system. The choice of accepting or rejecting is set before each one of us. - DEUTERONOMY 30:19, 20. 

Obedience to God is not really difficult. If we appreciate that Jehovah's wisdom is much greater than ours, and whatever he does is for our good because he is a God of love, then we will obey him in everything. Whatever Jehovah's will is, we will want to do it, whether in times of crisis or in the everyday things of life. That is the way loyal servants of Jehovah have always felt. (Daniel3:16, 18; Psalm 119:33-37 [118:33_37, Dy]) In the first century some of these said to a high court: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men." (Acts 5:29) Today, Jehovah is using his royal servant to declare his name and purposes in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14) When that is done to his satisfaction, then he will show Satan his almighty power by crushing him and all other rebels bringing an end to this wicked system. Thus, Jehovah will clear the universe of wickedness and pave the way for his righteous new system.

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW LONG WILL THE TEST CONTINUE?

 In addition, God has used this time to select and prepare from among mankind "vessels of mercy." These ae the ones who make up the righteous government over those who will live forever on earth in the new system. What blessings this heavenly kingdom means for mankind! During the time that God has been preparing "the vessels of mercy," he has shown much long-suffering. Why? The Bible clearly answers: "In order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy." (Romans 9:22-24) To God's heavenly kingdom will go the glory of vindicating God's name and destroying the wicked, the "vessels of wrath." Also, by his allowing wickedness to continue for a time, facets of God's personality are manifested that would not ordinarily be seen: his mercy and long-suffering. These enrich our appreciation of the Creator and our own personalities, as we imitate him. - EPHESIANS 5:1. 

There has also been another real benefit in God's permitting wickedness as long as he has. If at any time in the future anyone should call into question God's way of doing things, it would not be necessary again for him to grant that one time to try out some other way. The record of six thousand years of failure by Satan, his demons, and men who have tried to run affairs independent of God has supplied sufficient answer. No one can rightly claim: 'They did not get a chance,' or say, if only they had more time.' The permitted time has enough to prove that the way of the rebellion against the Creator has been absolutely disastrous! So God will be fully justified in swiftly crushing any rebel that threatens the future peace of the universe. - PSALM145:20 [144:20, Dy]. 

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - HOW LONG WILL THE TEST CONTINUE? -Continue

 Jehovah has permitted wickedness until our day in order to settle all the issues raised by Satan. But he will not permit wickedness to continue indefinitely. He has set a definite time when he will bring it to an end. The Bible writer Daniel referred to this long when he wrote: "The end is yet for the time appointed," - DANIEL 11:27. 

Nearly six thousand years from Adam's day to ours may seem a long time when viewed from the standpoint of humans about seventy years. But since God set the time limit, it is good to appreciate his view of the matter. The prophet Moses, at Psalm 90:4 [89:4, Dy], says of him: "A thousand years are in your eyes but as yesterday when it is past." A year is a long time to a child of five, but to a man of sixty it is comparatively short. Likewise, to Jehovah, who lives for eternity, a thousand years like a day. - 2 PETER 3:8. 

This set time during which wickedness has been permitted has been no injustice to us. Why, if God has immediately crushed the life out of all the rebel in Eden, we would have been born! We never had the opportunity for eternal life in his new system. So the fact that Jehovah did not cut short his long-suffering at some earlier time has given us the opportunity to live now, and eternally in the future.  (2 Peter 3:9, 15) Also, God has this time to provide for man's redemption through Christ. - GALATIANS 4:4, 5. 

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - WHAT HAVE THE RESULTS SHOWN? - Conclusion

As we have seen, the perfect man Jesus resisted all of Satan's temptations and bribes. Further, when whipped by soldier guards and nailed to a cruel torture stake to die, Jesus held fast his loyalty to God. (1 Peter 2:23) This proved that perfect Adam could have done the same if he had wanted to, and that God was not unrighteous in requiring full obedience from man. (2 Thessalonians 1:4, 5) By his loyalty to Jehovah, Jesus gave the finest answer to Satan false challenge. 

But Satan, his mind being twisted by selfishness and pride, has refused to slow down in his insane course. Although it has long since been proved that he was wrong and is a liar, he continues to persecute lovers of God. (Revelation 12:17) Since Jesus' death many thousands of Christians have served Jehovah God because they loved him and wanted his loving rule over them. And right now, hundreds of thousands proclaim their loyalty to Jehovah as a ruler. (Revelation 7:9, 10) Their faithful keeping of Jehovah's Word and their respect for his law have enabled them live in contentment, in spite of all opposition by Satan. The unity, love and integrity displayed by God's servants throughout the centuries provide a mountain of evidence that Jehovah's way of ruling in love is the only right way, that man can stay loyal to him under the most severe test, and that Satan is the most monstrous liar of all time. 

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The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - WHAT HAVE THE RESULT SHOWN - Continue

Satan's influence over earth's affairs has brought disunity, wickedness and death, and his rule has been means of deceit, force and selfishness. He has proved himself unfit to be the ruler of anything. So Jehovah is now fully justified in destroying his debased rebel along with all who have shared in his wicked deeds. (Romans 16:20) But what about the loyalty of God's creatures to Jehovah's loving rule and Satan's claim that all would turn away if put to the test? 

Jehovah God knew that "love never fails" and he knew that some of mankind would him willingly, out of love, and not because they were being bribed or forced. (1 Corinthians 13:8) Many thousands have done this throughout the centuries. Job was one of these. Even though Satan brought terrific pressure against him and stripped him of his belongings, children and health, Job still declared: "Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity." (1 Peter 27:5) Job proved Satan a liar. 

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