Posted by Cygnus [Cygnus] on April 03, 1999 at 23:05:01 {Ed9c7782HM0jaXWvXmfUL4bdfUTIaI}:
In Reply to: bible canon & 144,000 posted by felix a on April 03, 1999 at 20:43:15:
: So this suggests the question, is this a reasonable conclusion, a reasonable belief?
No. It is clearly a matter that must be taken on faith.
We simply do not know how many Christians existed in the first two centuries A.D. I believe reports of martyrdom approaching several hundred thousand are exaggerated, but your main point is for the most part accurate. The belief that only a few dozen "true Christians" existed early on before a "great apostasy" nearly engulfed the Bride of Christ is a pretty difficult position to support (especially if linked to the concept that a "faithful slave class" maintained some sort of link throughout the centuries to keep the faith alive and well).
JWs
believe what they believe about the 144,000 and the anointed remnant, not because it fits the facts, but because it fits what they believe must be true, after all, it's what the Bible says, right?