Berean,


>>How little is "little"? Certainly not the literal 144,000.<<


I do not believe the 144,000 are all the anointed called since the time of Jesus but rather only those called in the last days. As for the number being literal it is very unlikely. It most probably signifies a set number to be called as opposed to the unknown number of the great crowd. Either way, who can tie God's hands? If God sets a literal number into a symbolic record, or not, it is his to do as he pleases. The Watchtower should not be counting the anointed either way.