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Study Section 1: Other Errant Jehovah’s Witness Doctrines

12.1 Connect.

If you are saved by faith in the finished work of Christ, you have hope that someday you will
spend an eternity in Heaven with Christ and all the saints. Did you know that the Jehovah’s
Witness does not have such a hope? According to their doctrine, heaven was filled up in
1935, so the best they can hope for is a nice place on earth. In this lesson, you will learn not
only what they believe about heaven and salvation, but also several other strange doctrines
that they don’t talk about a lot.

12.2 Objectives:

1. The student should be able to explain what, according to JW doctrine, lies in their future.

2. The student should be able to clearly communicate their concept of soul sleep and what the
Bible says about the soul of man.

3. The student should be able to explain what they believe about blood transfusions, birthdays,
holidays, and wearing crosses and be able to refute their “proof texts.”

4. The student should be able to demonstrate witnessing strategies in dealing with them.

12.3 Miscellaneous Watchtower Doctrines.

The “Anointed Class” and the “Other Sheep”

According to Watchtower theology, only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses go to heaven, and this
group makes up what is known as the “Anointed Class.” All the remaining Jehovah’s Witnesses
are a part of God’s “other sheep,” and will live forever on paradise earth. The “Anointed Class”
began with the 12 apostles and was completely filled by the year 1935. Not many “Anointed”
believers are alive today.

The Way of Salvation for the “Anointed”
Watchtower literature teaches that to be saved and become a member of the “Anointed Class” these
individuals must believe in God, repent of their sins, dedicate themselves to God, be baptized by
immersion, and undergo the “sacrifice” of all human rights and hopes, even as Jesus did. (i.e., Must do a
bunch of works). These believers have spiritual blessings and privileges that the average Jehovah’s
Witness does not have. Look on page 254-255 to see what special privileges that this class has.

The Anointed will rule with Christ. They will become “kings” and “rulers” over a
lesser group – the “other sheep.” These are those who have become faithful JWs
since 1935 to remain faithful. The “Others” have no possible future in heaven, but
they will live eternally on an earthly paradise.

The Others HOPE to survive the coming Great Tribulation and Armageddon, then
enjoy perfect human life on earth under the rule of Christ.

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