What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe Regarding Physical And Heavenly Afterlives? The 144,000?

Contrary to many misconceptions, the Bible shows that there is no immortal spirit but instead, the Bible says that the condition of the dead is one of inactivity - likened to a deep sleep.

“The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

“He breathes his last breath, he returns to the dust; and in that same hour all his thinking ends.” (Psalm 146:4) - The New English Bible

However, through examples and scriptural promise, God has provided a hope of a resurrection for dead loved ones. This hope includes dead loved ones being resurrected to a paradise here on earth. Jehovah's Witnesses look forward to living in this future paradise earth.

Another kind of resurrection is referred to in the Bible, one to life as a spirit person in heaven. How many will go to heaven? According to Revelation 14:1, the apostle John says: “I saw, and, look! the Lamb [Jesus Christ] standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.” John went on to say that "the hundred and forty-four thousand...have been bought from the earth." (Rev. 14:3)

The vast majority of mankind, however, have the prospect of being resurrected in the future to life in Paradise on earth.


Learn more:

Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?

Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses

What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?

Questions Often Asked by Interested People