but I believe this is the first time the Watchtower stated if any of the 144,000 would be on Earth at Armageddon which is a "no". That creates a real dilemma for them with increased partakers.
No, they taught years ago that during the GT but before the Big A that all anointed would be in heaven...if they are alive during the GT then they are "taken" to heaven so all 144,000 slaughter innocent ones.