For What Shall We Hope?

Does the Bible Speak of Two Different Hopes for Two Different Groups?

• Three basic Scriptures are used to support the claim that God offers TWO different hopes to two different groups.– Revelation 7:1-17

• Numbers are used symbolically• 144,000 number on earth at that time• Later, part of a “great multitude that could not be

numbered.”

• Materialists are wrong—they reverse places and positions!– 144,000 are on earth—not in heaven. (vs.3)– The great multitude is in heaven—not on

earth. (vs.9)– They serve in the temple (in heaven) (vs.15)– The sun shall not strike the multitude (this

rules out the earth) (vs.16)– If we take the passage literally, all would be

Jews; taken from the 12 tribes (vs.4-8)

Does the Bible Speak of Two Different Hopes for Two Different Groups?

• Three basic Scriptures are used to support the claim that God offers TWO different hopes to two different groups.– Revelation 14:1-5. If we take the passage

literally…• All would be males (vs.4)• All would be celibate (virgins) (vs.4)• All would be Jews (7:4-8)

Does the Bible Speak of Two Different Hopes for Two Different Groups?

• Three Basic Scriptures are used to support the claim that God offers TWO different hopes to two different groups.– John 10:16. “Other sheep I have”

• Acts 18:10• Ephesians 2:11-18• ONE FOLD (Jews and Gentiles)

Does the Bible Speak of Two Different Hopes for Two Different Groups?

• Since the great multitude will not go to heaven, they do not need the same justification as the 144,000.

• Just undergo a change from the human to spiritual.

• Only 144,000 will gain immortality as the bride of Christ.– Most important to God;

like Jesus, they sacrifice their right to life on earth.

– Will serve with Christ as kings and priests.

– These alone need baptism.

– These alone partake of the Lord’s Supper.

– They receive a special feeling of assurance that they are of the chosen.

Two Hopes Would Limit Christ’s Atonement to Only a Few.

Christ Died for All, Giving Us One Hope!

• He gave Himself as a ransom for all.– 1 Timothy 2:4,6; 1 Peter 1:3-9

• God is not a respecter of persons.– Acts 10:34,35; Romans 2:11

• The gospel was preached to all the world.– Mark 16:15,16

• God’s power can save all.– Romans 1:16

• All men are told to repent.– Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9

The Living Hope Is the “One Hope” of Heaven

• “One Hope” describes as many hopes as there are Gods, Lords, etc.– Ephesians 4:3-7

• Two rewards are mentioned—one for the wicked!– John 5:28,29

• Two groups at judgment, but one is lost.– Matthew 25:31-46

• Grace that brings salvation has appeared to all!– Titus 2:11-14

• Is the hope of heaven limited to 144,000?

The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

• Hope of the future for the great multitude? No promise of two different inheritances.– Matthew 5:5

• What about the poor in Spirit and the persecuted? Will they be in heaven?– Matthew 5:3, 10

• All the beatitudes describe characteristics essential for every child of God!– Matthew 5:3-12

• True peace of mind– Philippians 4:4-9

• God’s care for our daily needs.– Matthew 6:25-34

We Look for a New Heaven and a New Earth

• Other Scriptures also speak of this.– 2 Peter 3:10-14; Isaiah 65:17; 66:22.

• John described his vision.– Revelation 21:1-5

• New = a different order of things will exist.

• Expression heavens and earth describes an abode familiar to mankind.

• Present order of things will pass away.– 2 Peter 3:10

Will Christ Return Soon? (False Prophets Make False Predictions)

• No one knows, but materialists have set many dates as though they do.– Matthew 24:36 – 2 Peter 3:10 – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

• False prophets predict the time of His second coming.– Deuteronomy 18:20,21

• Seventh-Day Adventists– October 22, 1844 (great disappointment)

• Pass from one sanctuary apartment in heaven to another apartment to perform a closing work known as investigative judgment. The end they say is therefore near.– Deuteronomy 18:20,21

Will Christ Return Soon? (False Prophets Make False Predictions)

• Worldwide Church of God– 1975 in Prophecy published in 1956

• Herbert W. Armstrong

• Bible prophesied:– 1/3 of America’s population, the British nations,

and the democracies of northwestern Europe would die of famine and disease epidemic.

– 1/3 dies in WW III at the hands of the German-dominated European combine.

– 1/3 remaining will be transported like cattle as slaves to Europe and probably South America.

• Deuteronomy 18:20,21

Will Christ Return Soon? (False Prophets Make False Predictions)

• Jehovah Witnesses– Christ actually came in 1874.

• Charles T. Russell

– Setting up the kingdom began in 1878.

– J.F. Rutherford agreed with date in Harp of God written in 1928.

– End of Gentile rule took place in October, 1914.

– In the spring of 1914, Christ came into the temple and began to reign.

– 1925, Millions Now Living Will Never Die

– 1975, 6000 years from man’s creation

Will Christ Return Soon? (False Prophets Make False Predictions)

Bible “Light” on the Kingdom and Christ’s Second Coming

• Kingdom is spiritual; established in first century.– Mark 1:14,15; 9:1– Acts 1:8; 2:4

• Church is the kingdom.– Matthew 16:16-18– Colossians 1:13– Revelation 1:9– Luke 17:21– John 18:36

• Christ’s second coming has yet to occur.– Acts 1:11 – Revelation 1:7– John 5:28,29– Acts 17:31– Matthew 25:31-46– 1 Corinthians 15:23-26– Revelation 20:11-15