With the recent WT articles stressing how "new light" has appeared over the decades, this article is geared towards making sure individuals are ACTIVE within the organization in order to ensure their survival.
This article is taken from E-Watchman's discussion board, this is not my article.
http://e-jehovahs-witnesses.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1019&st=0
Just got a hold of the new May 15, 2006 Watchtower containing the study article, "Are you prepared for Survival?" The thrust of the article is regarding our being actively associated with the Organization in order to survive through the end. Primarily the example of Noah is given regarding how salvation was only aboard the ark. Toward the end the article makes further allusions to future organizational adjustments by commenting on different adjustments in the past. (It does seem that some kind of refinement is on the way - perhaps in regards to the elder arrangement and/or disfellowshipping.)
Parallels to Noah's Day are drawn in paragraph 4:
"Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be." (Matthew 24:37) With these words, Jesus indicated that the time of his invisible presence would be similar to the days of Noah, and that has truly been so."
Our future survival is linked to our being in the organization as comparisons are drawn to the ark in paragraph 8:
"Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization."
In paragraph 11 faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice is seemingly down-played and instead being in the organization is trumpeted as the only way to survive.
"To survive the end of the present wicked system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrafice of God's Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16,36) However, we do well to remember that only those actually inside Noah's ark sruvived the Floord. Similarly, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel provided protection for the unintentional manslayer only if he first fled to such a city and then remained inside it until the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:11-32)"
Paragraph 12 further goes on to show that only those inside Jehovah's arrangements will be protected during the great tribulation.
"We therefore have reason to think carefully about our personal situation. Are we actually inside Jehovah's arrangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought out such protection. For others there will only be tears of sorrow and regret."
Paragraphs 13-15 I will quote in full. They contain information under the subheading, "Progressive Adjustments Prepare Us"
13 "Jehovah has brought about progressive adjustments in the earthly part of his organization. These have served to beautify, stabilize, and strengthen his arrangement for our spiritual protection. From the 1870's to 1932, elders and deacons were voted into office by members of the congregation. In 1932 the elective elders were replaced with a service committee elected by the congregation to assist an appointed service driector. During 1938, arrangements were made for the theocratic appointing overseers and ministerial servants. Over the years, the role played by the Governing Body has intensified and changes have been made to facilitate its work"
14 "Back in 1950, careful consideration of Psalm 45:16 gave rise to an ongoing training program. The text reads: "In place of your forefather there wil come to be your sons, whom you will apoint as princes in all the earth." Elders now taking the lead in the congregation are being trained for present and post-Armageddon theocratice duties. (Revelation 16:14,16) The Kingdom Ministry School was started in 1959. At that time, a month-long course of instruction was provided primarly for congregation servants, as presiding overseers were then called. This school has now been extened to offer instruction to all the overseers and ministerial servants. These brothers, in turn, take the lead in training individual Witnesses of Jehovah in their respective congregations. Thus, all are assisted spiritually and are helped to icnrease the effectiveness of their ministry as proclaimers of the good news of the Kingdom. - Mark 13:10."
15 "Individuals wanting to become part of the congregation must meet certain requirements. Logically, modern-day ridiculers are kept out, even as such ones found no place in Noah's ark. (2 Peter 3:3-7) Particularly since 1952, Jehovah's Witnesses have given increased support to an arrangement that helps to protect the congregation - that is, the disfellowshipping of unrepentant sinners. Of course, truly repentant wrongdoers are lovingly helped to "make straight paths for their feet." - Hebrews 12:12,13; Proverbs 28:13; Galatians 6:1."
Under the last subheading, "Be Prepared for Survival" admonition is given for Jehovah's Witnesses to be active in their association at with the Organization.
"Sticking close to and staying active with one of the over 98,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will help us to prepare ourselves for survival".