So if you say the called are everyone, why does it say "many" at Mth 22:14? Isn't every person who ever lived presented with the chance to have their names written in the book of life? (1Tim 2:4) If called means everyone, why wouldn't it day that, and if chosen is suppose to be from the called, why are they spoken of separately? Also Jesus in his parable about the sheep, spoke about his sheep, and then spoke about "other" sheep, no doubt meaning those not of the bride class, or first sheep. So why wouldn't he be speaking of his first sheep in Mathew and not the other when specifically he had said "other" before? Isn't Jesus and the apostles always speaking of the first sheep unless specifically saying "other"? I know at the moment I'm relying on sentence structure, because I think the answer lies in these as a whole.
Those written in the 'book of life' are not the same as the called. Many who never knew Christ will have their names written in the book of life. The called are those in Christ's covenant, born after Jesus ascended, they responded to the message of the Gospel. [Christians] The 'other sheep' in John 10:16 are the people of the nations: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold (the Jews); those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd" Up to this point Jesus was solely focused on the Jews, here he is prophesying about the nations joining the new covenant! Together the 'fruits' of Israel and the nations compose the 'one flock' with one shepherd.
Ah ha, so then it comes full circle, and this goes right along with your understanding that the Israel today is the physical nation and not metaphoric of all believers. So then there is no way we could ever see eye to eye on this subject of the called and chosen because we already differ on what is Israel and Jerusalem in prophecy. I wish things weren't this way. All of us here are sincere and love Jehovah, why there has to be confusion and not cohesion of understanding between us speaks to the plight we all live in, and says how much we really need Jehovah to act. (In his timing of course ) Can you describe to me what this calling would be in your understanding? And what happened at Penticost?
Actually I don't think that Israel today is the physical nation "Spiritual Israel" is the true Israel. The thread you are referencing was specifically about Romans 11 in light of Zechariah 12, which very clearly states that the 'scales' will fall from (part of) Israel's eyes in the future! (and of course, that thread where I tried to show that it's possible that physical Israel is Babylon the Great LOL) At Pentecost the new covenant was sealed by the holy spirit amongst all people, not just Jews, and physical Israel was anulled. The 'calling' is Jehovah pulling people, irrespective of nation, into a covenant with his Son. (in other words, becoming baptized by spirit and washed by the word Christians) edit: time for bed bro, hasta manana!
I know, it's late, it just shows our passion for this subject. I believe we are in the same time zone, central? Let's say for a minute you were to convince me that the called are all Christians, then the question would be when would the choosing take place? Keeping in that theme let me quote Peter; 1Peter 1:1-4 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the temporary residents scattered about in Pon′tus, Ga·la′ti·a, Cap·pa·do′ci·a, Asia, and Bi·thyn′i·a, to those chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, with sanctification by the spirit, for the purpose of being obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to you.Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance. It is reserved in the heavens for you" So you have said some during the first century were chosen, and perhaps some today, but you say the majority in the future, such as 7000 in the time of the end (As you said). Ultimately I think we both believe the same thing, but we are trying to determine Jesus exact intent when he spoke the words. Regardless of who the called or chosen are, there are sheep of Christ and as well other sheep. Now when the first sheep are chosen is the question. I assumed the calling was the anointing and the choosing was the resurrection if they remained faithful, but as Peter says some were already chosen then that means the chosen must be the first sheep. Then if I were to jump on board with the idea that the calling are Christians and the chosen are the bride class then is there scriptural evidence speaking of the choosing ceasing in the first century? Can someone be chosen now? Can one find evidence that they cannot be chosen yet? I don't believe the number of those to rule with Christ has been fulfilled yet, but how would I know? maybe he will choose you, then I would get to read about your experience and enjoy the new understanding you would have on this subject.
Yes, the Bible was written to narrate and explain God's purpose to redeem mankind. God chose Israel, his firstborn son (Ex. 4:22), to that end. The Bible shows how his purpose unfoiled itself throughout Israel's history. The Bible is about Israel and destined to Israel, and finally to the Israel of God, that is Jesus and his brothers. Jesus said : "I was not sent to anyone except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Either in physical and spiritual ways, Jesus had come and always talked openly or through parables about and to Israel, that is those who would be firstborn like him (first resurrection, Rv 20:5-6). Those who are called in Mat. 22:14 can't be all the Christians because it would mean that from among the Christians as a whole, the anointed ones are chosen on merit. Jehovah doesn't choose the anointed ones because they earn that right. Jesus' parables (cf. the talents) show that those who are faithful among his brothers are rewarded, not chosen. As a result, this parable in Mat. 22:14 means something different altogether. The reason why the invited ones must be deemed fit is because they must attend the wedding feast, which will take place when after Jesus' return (as you said Josh). It shows that just like the Jews as a whole, who were invited "by nature", didn't deserve the right to attend the meal because of their faithlessness, in like manner some of the Gentile invited ones would not deserve the right to attend it either due to their not having donned a clothing symbolizing their state of hearts and acts of righteousness demanded to the anointed ones. Somehow, this parable is similar to Paul's words in Rom. 11:20-21 : "That is true! For their lack of faith, they were broken off, but you are standing by faith. Do not be haughty, but be in fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you." Besides, in the rest of the NT, the words "invited", "called" and "anointed" are always more or less synonymous. (Romans 1:5, 6) . . .with a view to obedience by faith among all the nations respecting his name, among which nations you also have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. . . (Romans 9:24) . . .namely, us, whom he called not only from among Jews but also from among nations,. . . (1 Corinthians 1:24) . . .However, to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (Revelation 17:14) . . .Also, those with him who are called and chosen and faithful will do so. (Romans 8:29, 30) . . .so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Moreover, those whom he foreordained are the ones he also called; and those whom he called are the ones he also declared to be righteous. Finally those whom he declared righteous are the ones he also glorified. Paul uses interchangeably the words "called" and "chosen" (Romans 8:33) . . .Who will file accusation against God’s chosen ones? God is the One who declares them righteous. Christ's brothers are called and chosen and as a result, given their destiny/hope, they're anointed as kings and priests were in the Israel of Old : "But the one who guarantees that you and we belong to Christ and the one who anointed us is God. He has also put his seal on us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts." - 2 Cor. 1:21-22 This manifest similarity of meaning between those words is also a sensible indicator that the parable in Mat. 22:14 means something different altogether. And as for the rest of the discussion on this thread, one can consider the points developped here and about the Jewish betrothal (post#8).
I think I've got it figured out here, bare with me. Let me come at this from another angle, you may know in the old testament the word "many" was used to represent Israel, such as Dan 9:27 “And he will keep the covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week, he will cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease." So there seems there could be another dimension to this subject. If Jesus meant the physical nation then the spiritual nation, it could have meant many/physical Israel, few meaning out of it, meaning few from the physical Israel, but ultimately this would become the entire nation of spiritual Israel, bare with me and I will explain. Please read this scripture in Romans as an example: Rom 9:27 "Moreover, Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Although the number of the sons of Israel may be as the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. For Jehovah will make an accounting on the earth, concluding it and cutting it short." When we discuss the subject of Israel in scripture it always first pertained to the original physical nation, and then later to the spiritual nation after Cornelius was baptized. (Which as you may know is when I have said the change was made.) Utuna you said rightfully: And so perhaps the first way to look at Jesus's words would be in this way. That firstly Jesus spoke of the Many of Israel who were invited to the marriage, but few were chosen from that physical nation, and then subsequently that call then was transferred to the spiritual nation of Israel with the same results, many would be called to the marriage but few chosen. So I believe I have found what Jesus actually meant, and of course it's out of what he actually said himself, let's look. If we are to allow Jesus own words to explain what he meant, this seems to be what he is saying. Let's look at this again. The many will be blue and the few red. Mth 22:11-14 “Then he said to his slaves, ‘The marriage feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Therefore, go to the roads leading out of the city, and invite anyone you find to the marriage feast.’ Accordingly, those slaves went out to the roads and gathered all they found, both wicked and good; and the room for the wedding ceremonies was filled with those dining. When the king came in to inspect the guests, he caught sight of a man not wearing a marriage garment. So he said to him, ‘Fellow, how did you get in here without a marriage garment?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to his servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’ “For there are many invited, but few chosen.†So this man without marriage clothes was part of the many that the slaves went out and discovered in order to call to the marriage, however being discovered not wearing a marriage feast garment he was thrown out. Not only is this man thrown out, but his hands and feet are bound, and he is thrown out into the darkness. Then look, Jesus quotes what would later be a reference for the time of the end, "There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be" Look at the same reference in the time of the end here; Luk 13:26-30 "Then you will start saying, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our main streets.’ But he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Get away from me, all you workers of unrighteousness!’ There is where your weeping and the gnashing of your teeth will be, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown outside. Furthermore, people will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God. 30 And look! there are those last who will be first, and there are those first who will be last.†Also note; Mth 13:40-43 "Therefore, just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the conclusion of the system of things. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out from his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and people who practice lawlessness, and they will pitch them into the fiery furnace. There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be. At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Let the one who has ears listen." Therefore we have to understand that the marriage guest that was called in Jesus's parable was thrown out (meaning not to survive into the kingdom at all in any form) and that reduced the number in the marriage feast, hence why Jesus said, "few". Now the next question is, was Jesus speaking of all of Israel, or the small group to rule with Christ? I think we can understand from Jesus's words he is talking about everyone. It would appear both those who will live on the earth and rule with Christ are the many, that in fact just as the "many" represented the physical nation and later the spiritual nation that in fact the many represent both the 144k and GC. This also would say the "few" simply represents all those who make it into the kingdom, minus those who were believers but are found unworthy when Jesus arrives, both those of the earthly kingdom and heavenly. The "few" represents everyone who makes it into the kingdom, earthly and heavenly. This appears to be the synopsis of Jesus's parable and can be all summed up in one other moment Jesus mentions would occur in the time of the end at Mth 7:22; “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’" The many are all mankind called to the new kingdom, and the few are those who actually make it, those of the earthly kingdom and heavenly! The answer is in the many and few, not the called and chosen.
Also as a follow up, just a few scriptures back in Mth 22 at verses 13 & 14 we read; “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it." Mth 22:14 “For there are many invited, but few chosen." This is also describing the few and many... The chosen and called are all the same, they include the earthly and heavenly hopes. The real identity of who they are lie in the many and few... The many are those who think they are doing the will of God and Christ but some of that group will be found to not be dressed properly and Jesus will denounce them, then that will leave few chosen... This also means that the gate and road spoken of in Mth 22 is the perception of following Christ, but as we know not all those saying lord lord will he recognize.
One more thing I need to ask. I think its obvious Jesus was speaking of the same group when he said called and chosen, the called being all those invited (many) and the chosen are those left remaining (few) after those without the marriage clothes are cast out however, the final question needs to be answered of these ones identity. Is Jesus speaking of the bride class and those with the earthly future, or was he speaking of only the bride class? Romans 1: "Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Sos′the·nes our brother, to the congregation of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in union with Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones, together with all those everywhere who are calling on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:" Utuna, you say you think that these called and chosen can't be the two hopes (for lack of better wording), if this is the case that means Jesus is speaking of only the 144k, and my original idea would be right, that Jesus is saying not all of the anointed will make it to be raised into the kingdom of heaven. So are the many and few all believers, or was Jesus only speaking of the bride class?
Utuna, you quoted a few scriptures, including this one; "(Romans 8:29, 30) . . .so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Moreover, those whom he foreordained are the ones he also called; and those whom he called are the ones he also declared to be righteous. Finally those whom he declared righteous are the ones he also glorified." So that would mean you believe that Jesus was only speaking of the bride class in his parable, which I originally thought as well, but when Jesus speaks of some of the many being thrown out and gnashing of teeth, and the few chosen, and speaking of the many on the road to destruction, and few on the road to life, I always thought Jesus was speaking of everyone when speaking of those on the road and gate... Grrrr, as you know this kind of subject isn't my strong suit, and here I find myself digging and getting frustrated because I want to know the truth, but it has nothing to do with chronology! LOL Okay, needing to walk away before I fill up this thread!
No, I wasn't talking about other parables. The words "called" and "chosen" mean the same thing. Bonne nuit !
Well, then I have come full circle back to my post #30, that the called and chosen are all those who are anointed, and the chosen are all those who when the inspection comes by the king are found fully dressed. Even though it took a full circle, this must be the understanding...
Mth 22:1-17; My comments are in (blue) "Once more Jesus spoke to them with illustrations, saying: “The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a king (Jehovah) who made a marriage feast for his son (Jesus). And he sent his slaves (Prophets) to call those invited (Jewish nation) to the marriage feast, but they were unwilling to come (Jewish nation). Again he sent other slaves (Prophets), saying, ‘Tell those invited (Jewish nation): “Look! I have prepared my dinner, my bulls and fattened animals are slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast (Christ+144k).â€â€™ But unconcerned they went off, one to his own field, another to his business; but the rest, seizing his slaves, treated them insolently and killed them. (Prophets) “The king (Jehovah) grew wrathful and sent his armies (Rome) and killed those murderers and burned their city (Jerusalem in 70CE). Then he said to his slaves (Prophets), ‘The marriage feast is ready, but those invited (Jewish nation) were not worthy. Therefore, go to the roads leading out of the city, and invite anyone (Gentiles) you find to the marriage feast.’ Accordingly, those slaves went out to the roads and gathered all they found (Gentiles), both wicked and good; and the room for the wedding ceremonies was filled with those dining. “When the king (Jehovah) came in to inspect the guests (Gentiles called), he caught sight of a man not wearing a marriage garment. So he said to him, ‘Fellow, how did you get in here without a marriage garment?’ He was speechless. Then the king (Jehovah) said to his servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’ (Destruction/Second Death) “For there are many called, but few chosen.â€
So keeping in mind the parable itself, the Jewish nation was the original invites to the feast. They were invited when Jesus came to the earth during the 70th week. Since they refused the invite and killed Jehovah's prophets, Jehovah killed them and burned their city in 70CE. So therefore the invites to the wedding of the son can only be made to the 144k. Those weren't gathered until Christ came to earth, for many before them had a chance already to live again on earth. The gathering people from the streets in the parable is the Gentiles, and they are called and must be dressed in the right wedding garments. This denotes the white robes of their anointing. The calling has to be when they are anointed, and then they are chosen when the King comes to inspect them at the end. Now some of those anointed will not be wearing those robes, either by sin or false claim, and they will be thrown out, (second death). This is in my opinion what Jesus intended by this parable, unless someone can justify otherwise.
Hi Joshuastone7, In view of the parable you just quoted would this scripture apply to the ones invited from the streets? 1 Corinthians 1: 18 For the speech about the torture stake is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. 19 For it is written: “I will make the wisdom of the wise [men] perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual [men] I will shove aside.†20 Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing. 22 For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness; 24 however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men. 26 For YOU behold his calling of YOU, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; 28 and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, 29 in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God. 30 But it is due to him that YOU are in union with Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, also righteousness and sanctification and release by ransom; 31 that it may be just as it is written: “He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah.†I know for myself that I am one of these ones who are as nothing and that I do not deserve this beautiful gift of the anointing and calling and yet I feel it very strongly. Have a blessed day. Joe
Anointed to live where? Hello all. It is great to see others searching and digging deep into this; the core issue WT has buried: (John 3:1-5) As you all are tracking the truth like a hunter following a track of an animal, I see you doing exactly the right thing: "Listen to the true Shepherd's voice"...instead of men's doctrine. This is how we are supposed to learn; at Jesus' feet. Simple. And the holy spirit-inspired scriptures ...which the spirit guides us towards as we search, and lets the 'light' come on in our minds. Did you notice the parables are not ambiguous in saying where those chosen go? Into the marriage with Christ, right? Heaven itself; the abode of the Father. That is the destiny mentioned for all who were to follow Christ is it not? He is leading all his followers, according to John 14:1-6 ..."to the Father". There was no 2nd-place, no booby prize, first-runner-up even mentioned was there...as far as Jesus' ministry was ever explained? Where does the confusion arise, then? Church members all over the earth seem to accept the fact Christians are going to be with the Father, why do we find this so hard to see? Does the over-emphasis on the Rev. 7:9 prophecy concerning the very-end-game survivors of Armageddon confuse us? Certainly! WT...and further...Rutherford was the one who started making a 'secondary class' good news message; Jesus didn't. This was the start of my research:the NT. Because I, too, wanted to know why our ministry was ineffective for 25 years(around 2005). Why weren't Christians in churches accepting our message, and eager to start studying with us? I had been very active in pioneering too for 30 years down here in the Bible Belt; no converts; not one! Easy, after I started attending churches of many denominations to find out; they were not listening to our JW message because it isn't what Jesus, the fine shepherd was saying. Period. It wasn't Jesus' voice, but JW's doctrine. (John 10) Elders called me in to a committee meeting; "What do you think you're doing? Attending different churches; even Mormon!?" I said I am attending as an observer only, trying to find out why our message is flat, dull, and ineffective; and now I know why. We are not teaching what Jesus said to teach his words. They had nothing to say; what could they? Yes, of course there will be many millions who will not take the mark of the beast. Maybe 100's of millions or more. These are the Great Crowd, no doubt. But certainly for the last 2000 years, there have been millions and millions of true spirit-filled Christians who are heaven-bound, as Christ offered no other hope at all for them; fall-back, or otherwise. Don't you agree?
HiJohn, After I was anointed I wanted to share this opportunity to everyone. I made as you, visited other faiths but they were not open to get an accurate knowledge of God or Christ, despite the fact that they hope to go heaven. So their hope of coming to heaven is nothing worth when they do not want to know the truth of other doctrines. The anointed that will go to heaven has to be blameless, truthful, no lie will be on their tongue. (Revelation14:5) So do you really think millions of anointed through the centuries have met that high criteria. I don't think that. Look today, we on the web confessing to be anointed still preach contradicting teachings, in our miserable condition, do you think any of us today would make up to heaven if it was today Jesus came to gather his chosen ones? I think most of us are not sealed. I think better off are the anointed that do teach little, but all they teach is true, than those who teach much, and spread their wrong understanding in their teaching. Sorry for my strait forwardness, I believe you have a really good heart and I feel confident that you vill constantly grow in your understanding of God's will.
Hi John S, Even though it is true that we must beware men's doctrines and look for Christ's guidance through Holy Spirit, we must keep in mind that what we call men's doctrines may be our own doctrine too. You just have to look at all the nonsense expressed here and there on internet by people who pretend to follow Christ's guidance and even claim to be anointed to realize that many are far from having a correct understanding of the Bible and put faith in a one-man doctrine, that is theirs ! It's not because you are at variance with the GB's teaching that yours is necessarily true and that Jehovah approves your understanding of the Bible and the way you apply Jesus' teaching in your life. It wasn't for no reason that Paul enjoined Timothy to appoint mature men as elders so as to duly teach the congregation and reprove sinners. Like Apollos (Acts 18:24), many sincere Christians may be learned people but their knowledge may need to be completed and straightened out. Either in the OT and the NT, there are verses that show that there are two categories of people; in a nutshell, Christ's brothers and those who aren't Christ's brothers. This issue has been talked here again, and again, and again. I'll give a quick overview and you may want to have a look at the links I provided earlier on this thread for more details. (Matthew 10:42) . . .And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, I tell you truly, he will by no means lose his reward. (Mark 9:41) . . .And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, I tell you truly, he will by no means lose his reward. (Daniel 12:3) . . .“And those having insight will shine as brightly as the expanse of heaven, and those bringing the many to righteousness like the stars, forever and ever." (Zechariah 8:22, 23) . . .And many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek Jehovah of armies in Jerusalem and to beg for the favor of Jehovah.’ “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.â€â€™ â€(Isaiah 45:14) . . ."This is what Jehovah says: “The profit of Egypt and the merchandise of E·thi·oʹpi·a and the Sa·beʹans, tall of stature, Will come over to you and become yours. They will walk behind you in chains. They will come over and bow down to you. To you they will say in prayer, ‘Surely God is with you, And there is no one else; there is no other God.’†Those verses show that in the time of the end, a "great crowd" of spiritual Goyim would turn to God and follow His people, the spiritual Jews. If they follow Christ and his brothers and help them even with a cup of water, they are therefore Christians, aren't they ? Unless you think that they are the eleventh hour workers, which would be nonsensical. Besides, all the verses dealing with the return of God's people from captivity talk about a tiny remnant only. There won't be millions of spiritual Jews. (Isaiah 10:22, 23) . . .For though your people, O Israel, Are as the grains of sand of the sea, Only a remnant of them will return. An extermination has been decided on, And justice will engulf them. Yes, the extermination decided on by the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah of armies, Will be carried out in the entire land. (Isaiah 1:9) . . .Unless Jehovah of armies had left us a few survivors, We should have become just like Sodʹom, And we should have resembled Go·morʹrah. (Romans 9:29). . .Also, just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless Jehovah of armies had left an offspring to us, we should have become just like Sodʹom, and we should have resembled Go·morʹrah.†(Romans 11:4-6) . . .Yet, what does the divine pronouncement say to him? “I have left for myself 7,000 men who have not bent the knee to Baʹal.†So in the same way, at the present time also, there is a remnant according to a choosing through undeserved kindness. Now if it is by undeserved kindness, it is no longer through works; otherwise, the undeserved kindness would no longer be undeserved kindness. (Ezekiel 6:8-10) . . .‘“But I will leave a remnant, for some of you will escape the sword among the nations when you are scattered throughout the lands. And those who escape will remember me among the nations where they are taken captive. They will realize that I was brokenhearted over their unfaithful heart that turned away from me and at their eyes that are lusting after their disgusting idols. They will be ashamed of and loathe all the evil and detestable things they have done. They will have to know that I am Jehovah and that my threats to bring this calamity on them were not empty.â€â€™ Only a tiny remnant being left and returning to the land of Israel shows that the literal interpretation of the number 144 000 is the most logical and sensible one. The principle of being chosen is that God makes the choice and that those who are chosen didn't deserve it. Please read : (Romans 9:10-13) . . .Not only then but also when Re·bekʹah conceived twins from the one man, Isaac our forefather; for when they had not yet been born and had not practiced anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose respecting the choosing might continue dependent, not on works, but on the One who calls, it was said to her: “The older will be the slave of the younger.†Just as it is written: “I loved Jacob, but Eʹsau I hated.†This principle is great because nobody will contest His decision to choose someone and not someone else (therefore based on human criterias) and no chosen one can boast over personal achievements for having been chosen. Besides, Paul explains that the achievements are made a posteriori, through Holy Spirit in spite of the weaknesses of the flesh. Israel is God's firstborn and He chose it as a people in the past and is choosing it now too because he chooses those who will constitute it. If we summarize what is explained above, a great crowd following a tiny remnant to salvation and righteousness, there can be no other choice than to say that what we read in the NT is about and destined to Christ's brothers because what is recorded therein manifestly don't apply to that which the JWs usually call the GC. You must read the NT at the light of this logical reasoning. If we apply the NT to all Christians in the absolute meaning (Anointed + GC), there is therefore a huge problem in the Bible. The Bible wouldn't make sense at all. I have other explanations to give in relation to that which I developped above but I don't have the time for it now.
Single Cell, It's true the NT is mostly written for the anointed, that have got the holy sprit to their heart in a specific way, that makes them feel like children of God in a very direct way. But those who have not got this feeling of adoption by God, can of course read the Bible and understand something about the message in the Bible. For example that you should search in first place the kingdom of God. And they can hope they someday will come to heaven. But instead I would urge such persons to put an extra effort to learn what God's will is in every aspect. And to be obedient to everything Jesus taught and what the rest of the Bible imposes on christians. I am sure then some more would get the gift of anointing. Those who have been anointed have displayed to God Jehovah and Jesus Christ a special attitude that has pleased them. And that is why they have experienced the adoption from God Jehovah.