14, 15. (a) What change with reference to sin do the 144,000 undergo? (b) In what way are they raised up to “a newness of life”?

¹⁴ While still living in the flesh, these “righteous ones” undergo a symbolic death. The apostle Paul explains: “Seeing that we died with reference to sin, how shall we keep on living any longer in it?

Romans 6:2-7.

¹⁵ During their human life, the 144,000 “holy ones,” of whom only a small remnant remain on earth in this time of the end, ‘die with reference to sin.’ After their symbolic death, those “called to be holy ones” are raised up to “a newness of life.” Having declared them righteous, Jehovah is in a position to beget them by his spirit to be his spiritual “children.” They are “born again” and adopted as “God’s sons.” (John 3:3; Romans 8:9-16)a