In general, Christians agree that the Bible teaches that Heaven is the dwelling place of man after the judgment. 

However, the Watchtower Society teaches a different doctrine.  They say that Earth is the abode of those who follow God and use these passages as justification:

"Evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth."—Psalm 37:9.[1]

"The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it."—Proverbs 2:21, 22.[2]

What is wrong with this picture?

The passages cited are general truths which speak of God in a position of Judge over the Earth.  Those who are wicked God will judge, those who are righteous will be blessed – but this is not speaking of man’s eternal destiny (as the Watchtower presents it), rather it speaks of man’s current condition:

Doesn’t the Bible say that man’s reward is in heaven?

The Watchtower Society replies in the tract, “The Hereafter – Where Will It Be”:

“These teachings are not contradictory. In fact, one supports the other. To begin with, the Bible states that only a limited number of faithful Christians—namely, 144,000 of them—are raised as spirit creatures to live in heaven. Why are they given this wonderful reward? Because they make up the group that John saw in a vision who "came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years." ( Revelation 14:1, 3  ; 20:4-6  ) Compared with the billions on earth, the 144,000 truly are a "little flock." (Luke 12:32 ) Moreover, having experienced the problems common to humankind, like Jesus they will be able to "sympathize with our weaknesses" as they supervise the rehabilitation of mankind and of the earth.—Hebrews 4:15 .”

What is wrong with this picture?

Notice that in this statement, the Watchtower has reversed the clear statements of scripture.  The 144,000 are those who are on the earth (on Mount Zion)!

Rev. 14:1 “…behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand,…”

Those who are the multitude which no man can number are in heaven!!!:

Rev 7:9  After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne …  {15}  "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

Isn’t Christ Going to Prepare a Place For Us?

The Watchtower says (From REASONING:Heaven)

John 14:2,3 “…I am going my way to prepare a place for you…” (Jesus here shows that his faithful apostles, to whom he was speaking, would, in time, be in his Father’s “house,” in heaven, with Jesus. But he does not here say how many others would also go to heaven.)

What is wrong with this picture?

The Watchtower in this place teaches that his faithful apostles would be a part of those who would go to heaven.  However, the Watchtower also teaches that “only a limited number of faithful Christians – namely, 144,000 of them – are raised as spirit creatures to live in heaven”[3]  It is known that Peter was married (Mat 8:14)  and so could not be a part of the 144,000 since the description in Revelation 14:1-4 requires that all of these be males who had never had sexual relations with a woman!! 

Note: The JW position takes virtually everything in this passage in Revelation figuratively (including the part about the 144,000 being Jewish Virgins), but demands that the 144,000 be literal – an unjustifiable position which leads to an unbiblical view of God presenting man with two different “Hopes”.  This position requires that the “Mount Zion” be figurative (i.e. heavenly Mount Zion), and the position of the multitude “before the throne” be taken figuratively as meaning “approved” – i.e. not literally “in heaven”, while the same phrase “before the throne” must be taken literally as the place of the 144,000 “in heaven” (Rev. 7:5), as well as literally in place of the angels “in heaven” in the same context (Rev 14:11)!!

So then, this Watchtower position clearly has two “hopes” – one is heaven for the 144,000, and the other is a hope to be on a renovated “earth”.  The Bible however says that we have “one hope”:

The two “hopes” of the Watchtower Doctrine are seen clearly in this quote from “Reasoning: Heaven”:

Rom 8:14,16,17 “All who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons… If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: … joint heirs with Christ” (At the time this was written it was true that all who were led by God’s spirit were God’s sons whose hope was that they would be glorified with Christ. But this had not always been true. .. So, too, after the gathering of the heirs of the heavenly Kingdom, there would be others who would serve God as followers of his Son and yet not share in heavenly glory.)

The Watchtower logic is flawed and unbiblical. The Watchtower proclaims two “hopes” in direct contradiction to the Bible.

Is Eternal Life on Earth?

In “REASONING:Heaven,” the question is asked “What specific references are there in the “New Testament” to a provision for Christians to be rewarded with eternal life on earth?” One of the answers that is given is this:

“After these things [after the apostle John saw the full number of “sealed” ones who had been “bought from the earth” to be with Christ on heavenly Mount Zion; see Revelation 7:3,4;14:1-3] I saw, and look! A great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: ‘Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”[4]

What is wrong with this picture?

 The Watchtower quotes just enough to imply that these (the multitude which no man can number) are those who will populate the renovated earth, but the Bible has these in heaven serving before God “in His temple”:

Notice that they are “in His temple” which is declared to be “in heaven”:

In Summary

Watchtower:	The Bible:
Says there are two “hopes” – heaven for the “King’s Brothers”, and earth for the rest. From the tract “Eternal Happiness – In Heaven or on Earth” the Watchtower says: “the Bible states that only a limited number of faithful Christians—namely, 144,000 of them—are raised as spirit creatures to live in heaven.”	Says that there is only one “hope”: (Eph 4:4 NKJV)  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
Plays Biblical “Hopskotch” by taking everything figuratively, but requiring the 144,000 to be literal: (REASONING:Heaven) Says that in Rev. 7: “Mount Zion” is heavenly (i.e. not literal),  “Virgin Jews” is not literal, but figurative “multitude” is not literally “standing before God”, but this means in “an approved condition” “144,000” is literal,  (In other words, everything is figurative – except the 144,000)	Presents the “multitude” in heaven as the result of their obedience: (Rev 7:14-15 NKJV)  And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. {15} "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. Notice that they are “in His temple” which is declared to be “in heaven”: (Rev 11:19 NKJV)  Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, …
Concerning the “multitude”, the Watchtower says (REASONING:Heaven) “Revelation does not say of them as it does of the 144,000, that they are “bought from the earth” to be with Christ on heavenly Mount Zion – Rev. 14:1-3”	Says concerning the “multitude” that they have “washed their robes” in the “blood of the Lamb”.  This is a reference to the “church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28) – i.e. these are those who God has “bought” (purchased) “from the earth” (out of the great tribulation) and they are “before the throne of God” (i.e. the same description used of the the Angels in vs. 11 – before the throne which clearly means heaven)  Note that the Watchtower argues that this phrase means one thing for the angels, and something different for the multitude.  They have to do a lot of “twisting” since their position is unbiblical, and unsound.

 

What is in heaven for the believer?

In Heaven	Reference
Reward	(Mat 5:12 NKJV)  "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Treasure	(Mat 6:20 NKJV)  "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Be With Christ	(John 14:3-4 NKJV)  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. {4} "And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Follow Christ	(John 13:36 NKJV)  Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."
Our Habitation	(2 Cor 5:2 NKJV)  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
Citizenship	(Phil 3:20 NKJV)  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, …
Our Hope	(Col 1:5-6 NKJV)  because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, {6} which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
Heavenly Kingdom	(2 Tim 4:18 NKJV)  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Inheritance	(1 Pet 1:4 NKJV)  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

Does the Bible speak of Christians entering Heaven?

It is Biblical that with our Citizenship in Heaven (i.e. we are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom), that we will enter into Heaven itself.  This is indeed what the scriptures teach:

Teaching	Scripture Reference
Christ entered into the Most Holy	(Heb 9:11-12 NKJV)  But Christ came as High Priest … with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
The Most Holy (or Holiest) is a reference to Heaven	(Heb 9:24 NKJV)  For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, … but into heaven itself, …
Christians are told to have boldness to enter Heaven (Holiest) by the blood of Jesus Christ	(Heb 10:19 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

This is a reference to the same promise given by Christ earlier to his apostles in John 13

Action	Scripture Reference
Jesus – “I must go”	(John 13:36 NKJV)  Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?"
You will follow (later)	Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."
Christ went to Heaven	(1 Pet 3:21-22 NKJV) “…the resurrection of Jesus Christ, {22} who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God…”
You know the way	(John 14:4 NKJV)  "And where I go you know, and the way you know."  (John 14:6 NKJV)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Christians are to enter Heaven by the blood of Jesus – i.e. He is the “way”	(Heb 10:19 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

 

Does Isaiah teach a renovated Earth?

The Watchtower teaches: (Reasoning:Heaven)

In time, God's Kingdom will even restore the peaceful relations that existed in the garden of Eden between animals, and between animals and humans. The Bible says: "The wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader over them."—Isaiah 11:6-9; Hosea 2:18.

What is Wrong With This Picture?

Consider the quotation from Isaiah 11 in its context.  There are at least 4 things which are said to happen in “that day” (meaning a general period of time):

Christ will be born	(Isa 11:1 NKJV)  There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
Wolf dwells with lamb	(Isa 11:6 NKJV)  "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.
No harm in God’s Mount	(Isa 11:9 NKJV)  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
Jesus: a banner to the Gentiles	(Isa 11:10 NKJV)  "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."

Notice that this last item (Jesus: a banner to the Gentiles) is directly connected to the picture of the “wolf and the lamb” with the connecting phrase “and in that day” (meaning the same general period of time).  In Romans, Paul connects the actions of Jesus in the flesh to this verse in Isaiah and uses this to show the accomplishment of Christ in being a “banner” to the Gentiles:

In other words, the coming of Christ in the flesh, and his subsequent resurrection, brought forth the situation which Paul could then conclude to be in existence – i.e. that Christ’s banner is now over the Gentiles (He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles), and he uses this as a reason to argue that they (those at Rome) should “Therefore receive one another” (vs. 7).  It is evident that the birth of Christ is referred to in Isaiah 11:1 (a Rod shall come forth from Jesse), and since the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection are referred to by Paul as accomplishing that which was spoken of in Isaiah 11:10, therefore it is a necessary conclusion that the events of Isaiah 11:6-9 must be speaking of events which were in that general time period (i.e. related to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) – not a description of event which would occur after the judgment.  Any attempt to make these verses speak of the period after the judgment is to pull them completely out of the context.

How then are these verses to be understood?  These events (Wolf with the Lamb and no harm on God’s Holy Mountain), must then be understood as descriptions of the state of God’s Kingdom (or Holy Mountain) during the times of Christ.  This is in harmony with the description given in Isaiah 2:1-4:

Notice that the “mountain of the Lord’s house” being established is in fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel that during the times of the Roman Empire concerning the “stone” that became a “mountain” and filled the earth.  Daniel revealed that this was a picture of God setting up his kingdom:

It is in the context of this kingdom (or Holy Mountain) that Daniel said would be established during the times of the Roman Empire (the fourth kingdom), God says “all nations shall flow to it”, and “Neither shall they learn war anymore”.  This is not a statement applied to the world in general, but is specific to God’s Holy Mountain.  This is a statement of different nations coming together to a place of safety.  How safe?  It is like a “wolf” lying down with a “lamb” (i.e. natural enemies existing side-by-side in peace). Where is this peace?  Isaiah says, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain” (11:9).

The context demands that this description be applicable to the times of Messiah, just as Paul applied it in encouraging all to “receive one another” (Rom. 15:7) in peace.  The context demands this application and rejects the doctrine of the Watchtower to make this an “end-times” prophecy for a period of time after the judgment. The parallel passage in Isaiah 65:25 where the text of Isaiah 11:6,9 are concatenated and repeated also ties these two passages together, as speaking of the same “times”.  Isaiah 65:17-24 uses highly figurative language to describe the new order of things (new heavens and new earth) in the kingdom of Messiah.  In this kingdom, the former order of things (v. 17) “shall not be remembered or come to mind” speaking of the Mosiac system, as also Jeremiah remarks, concerning the Ark of the Covenant, “It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it”, and remarks that in these times, “all the nations shall be gathered to it [i.e the Throne of the Lord].”  The time when “all nations” shall flow into the kingdom is the same “times” as that described in Isaiah 2 – when the mountain of the Lord’s House is established – i.e. when the Kingdom of God is set up. Paul refers to the laying of the foundation (Is. 28:16) as justification for recognizing that there is now no distinction between Jew and Gentile (Romans 10:12), and therefore he is the same Lord to “all who call upon Him” so that Christ is a banner to the Gentiles and this is a time when “all nations” enter God’s Holy Mountain. 

In this context then, the highly figurative passage in Isaiah 65:17-24 is connected to this description of Messiah’s kingdom both with its description of the new covenant (i.e. new heavens and new earth), as well as the description of God’s kingdom in the times of the Messiah:

It is from this highly figurative passage (Is. 65:17-24) that the Watchtower takes verses such as 21-23 and attempt to make them describe the eternal dwelling place of man after judgment:

“Yes, the entire earth will be transformed into a productive paradise with an abundance for all.—Isaiah 65:21-23” (tract: “The Hereafter – Where Will It Be”)

In this, they willfully ignore the statements of the context such as (v. 20) “the child shall die one hundred years old…” showing that this is not speaking of an everlasting life (everlasting life has no death!) on earth, but of a “highly blessed” situation in the Kingdom.  Long life has always been used as a figure of blessings, (Eph 6:2-3 NKJV)  " ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: {3} that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

In the context, the Kingdom of Messiah is described as a place of peace and safety with temendous blessings.  This is the picture that Paul had when he said, (Eph 1:3 NKJV)  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, …”  Where are these blessings?  In Christ, … in the kingdom of His dear Son, … in God’s Holy Mountain.

These figurative passages are twisted by the Watchtower and taken out of context.  When they are taken in context they are in harmony with the rest of scripture.

Summary

God has called us in ONE hope of our calling, even to enter into Heaven to be with God as the final destiny for those who believe.  The Watchtower Society practices deceptive quoting (by not giving the full quotation), and quotes passages out of context in order to justify their doctrines. Here is just one example:

“Those asleep in the grave but who are in God's memory will be resurrected, not to heaven, but to life on a cleansed earth. (Ecclesiastes 9:5 ; John 11:11-13 , 25 ; Acts 24:15 )” (tract: “The Hereafter – Where Will It Be”).

Not one of these passages presented in an attempt to justify the prior statement even remotely hints of a life on a “cleansed earth.”  John and Acts speak of a general resurrection of the just and the unjust, but the result of judgment is not mentioned in either of these.  This is typical of how the Watchtower uses passages – it must have some justification when making a statement such as this, and so must list some scripture, but this listing is deceptive since it is in no way a justification for the statement which like many of their positions, is simply unbiblical.