EVOLUTION OF THE 144,000 DOCTRINE

"For 19 centuries there was only the one calling, the heavenly one,
with Jehovah being very selective as to who would serve with his Son to make up the Kingdom
government. Many would be invited but only a precious few
chosen. (Matthew 22:2, 14) In time the prescribed but limited number of 144,000 would be reached. After this no more
would be anointed by holy spirit
as witness that they had the heavenly hope, unless, in a rare
occurrence, the unfaithfulness of
one of the remaining 'chosen ones' made a replacement necessary." Watchtower 1982
Feb 15 p.30

"Logically, the calling of the little flock would draw to a close
when the number was nearing completion, and the evidence is
that the general gathering of
these specially blessed ones ended in 1935." Watchtower
1995 Feb 15 p.19

"When does the calling of Christians to a heavenly hope
cease? …
On the other hand, as time has gone by, some Christians baptized after 1935 have had
witness borne to them that they have the heavenly hope. (Romans
8:16, 17) Thus, it appears that we cannot set a specific date for
when the calling of Christians to
the heavenly hope ends.
How should a person be viewed who has determined in his heart
that he is now anointed and begins to partake of the emblems at the Memorial? He should not be judged. The matter
is between him and Jehovah. "
Watchtower 2007 May 1 p.31

"… the number of anointed ones
on the earth has decreased over
the decades … "
Watchtower Feb 15 2009 par.14 page 27 & page 28

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