In the stories of the Bible the all Christians were apart of the body of Christ , the only anointed one. They were all to partake and the writings of Paul state they all had a heavenly hope. Rutherford started the whole earth heaven distinction to the JWs could have a laity class. Today Catholics eat the bread but only the priest eat and then drink the wine. Their special part of the original laity class.
This laity class were special idea goes back to the Levite's in the Bible and before them the priests of Egypt. In almost all ancient religions in and around the Levant the priest and kings were considered special by the gods and save by the gods. The lowly pesents had to rely on the priests for salvation and Revere the king as god son.