Okay, also not trying to be smart about it at all, genuine question - there's a lot more than 144,000 JW's in the world, right? So what becomes of the rest of you that have followed all the rules and done the right thing by yourselves and by God? Doesn't that scare you to think you might not make the cut? I mean, speaking from the perspective here of an agnostic who *wants* to believe in Heaven and *wants* to believe that it's achievable... the thought that I might do all the 'right' things and then still not be 'good enough' is a scary thought to me!
Yep, I think the most recent number is close to 8 million. Those of us who don't have a heavenly hope will live on the restored Earth, working towards perfection over a period 1000 years. We actually know if we have an earthly or a heavenly hope - I have an earthly hope. When I think of what we call the New System, all of my daydreams are living on the earth and restoring the earth to perfection. When someone with the heavenly hope thinks of the New System, I guess they think of being in Heaven. I don't really know, because I'm not one But I know a few people who are, they're older men and women, and they say when they read the Bible it's not the same way we read it, it's more personal, like reading a note from your spouse.

Tangent - I think it's fabulous that we have 144,000, because they come from all walks of life and all generations since Jesus. Jehovah is all knowing and all seeing, but He hasn't lived on Earth. Jesus DID live on Earth, but only as a perfect man, for 33 years. Whereas by taking people from different times and walks of life, I know that Jehovah really understands what I'm going through, because no doubt someone up there has been through something similar.

I've wondered about your question too Donna & I love it when Keike answers these questions - it helps me to learn and understand so thankyou Keike..
I agree, I love asking Keike these faith-related questions as she's so knowledgeable and always happy to help share with us - thanks Keike!
Wow, shucks I never know if I'm crossing a line and annoying people, thank you for the feedback! And Inanna, that was gorgeous, thank you for sharing