Russell taught that the "great crowd" was a secondary heavenly class - the losers who had the right beliefs but weren't quite good enough to make it into the 144,000 clique:
There are, however, many consecrated ones desirous of the prize , and who have been begotten of the spirit, who are partially overcome by the allurements of the world, the desires of the flesh, or the arts of the devil. They partially lose sight of the prize set before us, and try to walk upon a middle road--to keep the favor of God and the favor of the world, forgetting that "the friendship of the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4), and that the instructions to those running the race for the prize are, Love not the world, and, Seek not honor one of another, but that honor which cometh from God only. 1 John 2:15; John 5:44
These, who love the present world, but who have not wholly forsaken the Lord and despised their covenant, receive a scourging and purifying by the fire of affliction. As the Apostle expresses it, they are delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit (the newly begotten nature) may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Cor. 5:5) And if rightly exercised by the discipline, they will finally be received into the spiritual condition. They will have everlasting, spirit life as angels have it, but will lose the prize of immortality. They will serve God in his temple, and stand before the throne, having palms in their hands (Rev. 7:9-17); but though that will be glorious, it will not be so glorious as the position of the "little flock" of overcomers, who will be kings and priests unto God, seated with Jesus in the throne as his bride and joint-heir, and with him crowned with immortality. -- The Divine Plan of the Ages, pp. 213-214
'Jacob uttered a prayer in the form of a vow. After asking for God's support, he solemnly promised: "As for everything that you will give me I shall without fail give the tenth of it to you." (Genesis 28:20-22)' [Isn't it kind of weird to get something from someone and show your appreciation by giving part of it back? How would I feel if I gave someone a gift and they gave it back?] 'Later, when he was about to meet his brother, Jacob implored Jehovah for protection; saying: "Deliver me, I pray you, from my brother's hand, from Esau's hand, because I am afraid of him." (Genesis 32:9-12)' [Does this mean Esau doesn't get any credit for growing as a person and learning to love his brother again? Does he get no kudos for learning forgiveness? Was his response really a product of Jacob's prayer since Esau would be developing these qualities during the many years of their separation, long before Jacob's prayer and attempt to bribe his brother into showing mercy? Did Jacob really deserve a welcome given the way he'd treated his brother and father to get a blessing?] The patriarch Job approached Jehovah in behalf of his family, offering sacrifices for them. [Didn't seem to do his kids much good given that they became innocent - and very dead -pawns in the showdown between God and Satan. And it apparently didn't strengthen Job's wife a lick.] 'When Job's three companions sinned in their speech, Job prayed in their behalf, and "Jehovah accepted Job's face." (Job 1:5; 42:7-9)' [Again, does this mean that these clearly proud men get no credit for humbling themselves enough to approach Job and ask for his help on their behalf? Why was that humility not enough for God, such that they still had to have Job mediate for them?]
Thanks Blondie!