I'm pretty sure Jehovah's Witness are already part of the 'little flock' so they can touch those balls with zero blowback. Oh and by the way, just a few moments of your time please:
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their religion is a restoration of first-century Christianity.[124] Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture.[46][125][126] The Watch Tower Society does not issue any single, comprehensive "statement of faith", but prefers to express its doctrinal position in a variety of ways in its publications.[127] Its publications teach that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation, in which God gradually reveals his will and purpose,[128][129][130][131] and that such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study,[132] the guidance of the holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels.[133] The Society also teaches that members of the Governing Body are helped by the holy spirit to discern "deep truths", which are then considered by the entire Governing Body before it makes doctrinal decisions.[134] The religion's leadership, while disclaiming divine inspiration and infallibility,[135] is said to provide "divine guidance"[136] through its teachings described as "based on God's Word thus ... not from men, but from Jehovah."[137][138]
The entire Protestant canon of scripture is considered the inspired, inerrant word of God.[139] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable[140] and interpret much of it literally, but accept parts of it as symbolic.[141] They consider the Bible to be the final authority for all their beliefs,[142] although sociologist Andrew Holden's ethnographic study of the religion concluded that pronouncements of the Governing Body, through Watch Tower Society publications, carry almost as much weight as the Bible.[143] Regular personal Bible reading is frequently recommended; Witnesses are discouraged from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through Bible research independent of Watch Tower Society publications, and are cautioned against reading other religious literature.[144][145][146] Adherents are told to have "complete confidence" in the leadership, avoid skepticism about what is taught in the Watch Tower Society's literature, and "not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding."[147][148][149][150] The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings[151] and all Witnesses must abide by its doctrines and organizational requirements.[152]
Jehovah and Jesus ChristEdit Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize the use of what they consider to be God's name, represented in the Old Testament by the Tetragrammaton.[153][154] In English they prefer to use the name Jehovah.[155] They believe that Jehovah is the only true God, the creator of all things, and the "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him, and that he is not part of a Trinity;[156] consequently, the religion places more emphasis on God than on Christ.[157][158] They believe that the holy spirit is God's applied power or "active force", rather than a person.[159][160]
The Tetragrammaton Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's only direct creation, that everything else was created by means of Christ, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's "only-begotten Son".[161] Jesus served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity.[162] They believe Jesus died on a single upright post rather than the traditional cross.[163] They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, Abaddon (Apollyon), and the Word all refer to Jesus.[164] Jesus is considered to be the only intercessor and high priest between God and humanity, and appointed by God as the king and judge of his kingdom.[165] His role as a mediator (referred to in 1 Timothy 2:5) is applied to the 'anointed' class, though the 'other sheep' are said to also benefit from the arrangement.[166]
SatanEdit Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan influenced Adam and Eve to disobey God, and humanity subsequently became participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty.[167] Other angels who sided with Satan became demons.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914,[168] at which point the end times began. Witnesses believe that Satan is the ruler of the current world order,[167] that human society is influenced and misled by Satan and his demons, and that they are a cause of human suffering. They believe that human governments are controlled by Satan,[169] but that he does not directly control each human ruler.[170]
Life after deathEdit Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation Jehovah's Witnesses believe death is a state of non-existence with no consciousness. There is no Hell of fiery torment; Hades and Sheol are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the common grave.[171] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the soul to be a life or a living body that can die.[172] Watch Tower Society publications teach that humanity is in a sinful state,[172] from which release is only possible by means of Jesus' shed blood as a ransom, or atonement, for the sins of humankind.[173]
Witnesses believe that a "little flock" go to heaven, but that the hope for life after death for the majority of "other sheep" involves being resurrected by God to a cleansed earth after Armageddon. They interpret Revelation 14:1–5 to mean that the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth.[174] Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only they meet scriptural requirements for surviving Armageddon, but that God is the final judge.[175][176][177] During Christ's millennial reign, most people who died prior to Armageddon will be resurrected with the prospect of living forever; they will be taught the proper way to worship God to prepare them for their final test at the end of the millennium.[178][179]
God's kingdomEdit Watch Tower Society publications teach that God's kingdom is a literal government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 Christians drawn from the earth.[180] The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, transforming it into a paradise without sickness or death.[181] It is said to have been the focal point of Jesus' ministry on earth.[182] They believe the kingdom was established in heaven in 1914,[183] and that Jehovah's Witnesses serve as representatives of the kingdom on earth.[184][185]
EschatologyEdit Main article: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses A central teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the current world era, or "system of things", entered the "last days" in 1914 and faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably.[186] They consider all other present-day religions to be false, identifying them with "Babylon the Great", or the "harlot", of Revelation 17,[187] and believe that they will soon be destroyed by the United Nations, which they believe is represented in scripture by the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation chapter 17. This development will mark the beginning of the "great tribulation".[188] Satan will subsequently attack Jehovah's Witnesses, an action that will prompt God to begin the war of Armageddon, during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Christ's "sheep", or true followers, will be destroyed. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth, which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden.[189] After Armageddon, most of those who had died before God's intervention will gradually be resurrected during "judgment day" lasting for one thousand years. This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. At the end of the thousand years, a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind. Those who fail will be destroyed, along with Satan and his demons. The end result will be a fully tested, glorified human race. Christ will then hand all authority back to God.[190]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ began to rule in heaven as king of God's kingdom in October 1914, and that Satan was subsequently ousted from heaven to the earth, resulting in "woe" to humanity. They believe that Jesus rules invisibly, from heaven, perceived only as a series of "signs". They base this belief on a rendering of the Greek word parousia—usually translated as "coming" when referring to Christ—as "presence". They believe Jesus' presence includes an unknown period beginning with his inauguration as king in heaven in 1914, and ending when he comes to bring a final judgment against humans on earth. They thus depart from the mainstream Christian belief that the "second coming" of Matthew 24 refers to a single moment of arrival on earth to judge humans.[191][192] Wikipedia