The Selection and Love of Jesus: The Truth about His Church and Continuity

Many questions revolve around the faithful, the Church, and the true following of Jesus. This article delves into these questions, clarifying why Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus did not abandon his Church, but rather, why the selection process for the 144,000 followed in a specific timeline.

Jesus' Continuous Love and Care for His Church

One significant passage states, "Just as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself up for it." (Eph 5:23b). This underscores that Jesus had a deep, abiding love for his Church and made significant sacrifices for it. We can question, then, if he saw his Church abandoned by God or left for centuries until the 1800s. The reality is, he was with those in the time of the end who followed him faithfully and maintained the true knowledge about him and the true God, Jehovah.

Here are several points that support this claim:

1. Jesus' Death and Sacrifice for His Church

Would Jesus, who loved his Church with such deep affection, abandon them to the evil one? Logically, it makes no sense. On the contrary, he demonstrated this through his sacrifice. According to the Bible, Jesus said, 'they would suffer as I have suffered, and I wanted my Father to strengthen them when they faced death, so that they would die loyally as I did.' (John 16:33). Additionally, he prayed for his followers, ‘I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me’ (John 17:20-21). These passages affirm the continuity and constant care of Jesus for his Church.

2. Corrective Counsel and Guidance

From the beginning, Jesus provided guidance through messages to the seven congregations in Asia Minor. By about 98-100 CE, he sent these messages, showing his continuous involvement and concern for the true worshippers. The importance of these communications can be seen in the fact that Jesus mentioned events to watch for, such as the rise of false Christs and false prophets, as documented in Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22.

He also recognized that, as his disciples lived, the operation of the wicked one was beginning. But once they were gone, the truth and pure worship of Jehovah would gradually fade. For this reason, true believers must remain steadfast, as Paul emphasized, “To turn now brothers to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall be gathered round him please do not get excited TOO SOON or alarmed by any prediction or rumor or any letter claiming to come from us implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived. Never let anyone deceive you in this way.” (2 Thess 2:2-3)

3. The Need for Restraint

The Antichrist's control over the world of darkness is restraint, as Paul warned, “Surely you remember me telling you about this when I was with you. And you know too WHAT IS STILL HOLDING HIM BACK FROM APPEARING BEFORE HIS APPOINTED TIME. ‘And now you know what is RESTRAINING him from being revealed at this time it is that he may be MANIFESTED revealed in his APPOINTED TIME.’” (2 Thess 2:1-2) This refers to the restraining power that allows evil to continue, which will be removed at the return of Jesus.

The 144,000 Congregation

The church or congregation Jesus refers to is the 144,000 that started at Pentecost. According to Revelation 14:4, these are the 144,000 handpicked by Jehovah, bought from the earth. The selection of the 144,000 continued after the apostles' time, and the true knowledge about Jehovah and Jesus became less prevalent due to the influence of false religious doctrines and practices.

The Kingdom of God, prophesied by Jesus, is an eternal reign of God's power and blessings that will come at the end of this world. It is a time when the Church, the 144,000, will be with Jesus, ruling on earth and bringing forth the blessings of the Kingdom, which includes forgiveness of sins, restoration of the nations, and an end to suffering. The 144,000 will be chosen to enter heaven, fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation 14:3-4.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jesus did not abandon his Church, but rather, his continuous care and love are evident in his actions and writings. The true followers of Jesus, those who maintain the true knowledge about him and the God Jehovah, are the ones he will be with in the time of the end. The 144,000 congregation is the chosen group that will be with him and participate in the Kingdom of God. This truth about Jesus and his Church is an essential part of the Bible's message and the foundation of the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses.