Their current understanding is that the anointed have to receive their final seal before the GT but they don't have to die until just before Armageddon
aw: glad that wt has it down to the fine detail, the better to nail them on false prophecies. be that as it may,
Jesus twice mentioned in Math 24's "all" that has to occur before the passing of the generation, that like in Noah's day, a disaster greater than the flood has to happen.
The generation, as happened in the first century is to outlive, survive the end. not pass away, die, be taken to heaven, even if "just before"
Must be quite a shock to go from being killed by the axe*** to handling those iron rods yourself. How long do you think "just before" is?
*** note that the bible specifies that to rule [ and smash] with Christ, you will not die morphine sedated in the bethel infirmary, but as a martyred martyr.