From: TFPOTWTS(JWS) ---
Russell's understanding: Jesus offered himself for all mankind, including the body of Christ - the 144,000 members of his church; [the anointed] PARTICIPATE in the ransoming and atoning work/ Christ's sacrifice for the world.
Numerous references to Russell's elaboration on doctrine follow, notably:
1911: Christ composed of many members (1 Cor. 12:12) The Messiah is prepared/ is first, followed by the Apostles and then various other members of the body through the Gospel age. "This age will end when the full number of the 'elect' shall have been found and tested. Then the body will have been completed. When The Messiah is complete, The Christ will be complete." p. 165/from WT Reprints, 6/15/1911, p. 4841
THE HARP OF GOD, by JFR, p. 182:
"The mystery is THE CHRIST, the great one through whom redemption, deliverance and blessing will ultimately come to all mankind who receive Christ and obey him."
Ibid., p.187:
"The Christ is composed of Jesus, the great and mighty head, and the 144,000 members...."
RUTHERFORD'S PROBLEM
The gathering of the 144,000 was viewed as complete [1935]. So what was the NEW message? New light on the ID of the "great multitude." They were not spirit begotten as long taught, but an earthly class. The new objective was to reach these individuals, who would live forever in the earthly paradise. Changes in Russell's teaching were now in order (see Duane Magnani's THE SECRET DOCTRINE OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES) Some claims of the anointed phased out:
Anointed no longer part of Christ's sin offering (as of 1939)
Members of GM no longer referred to the anointed members as "The Christ."
However, the Christ doctrine is still being taught [see WT 11/15/79] ............ to be continued.
Compound-Complex