While Jesus was on earth, he made it clear that the temple was "my father's house" and that Israel was "the children". The Pharisees were the leaders of that organization, despite being "whitewashed graves", "offspring of vipers", "hypocrites", etc. Even though Jesus may have known full well the leadership was corrupt and falsely representing God, he didn't authorize his followers to berate them the way he did. As the high priest, Jesus had the authority to confront them on their false teachings and horrible attitudes. The leadership that have stumbled so many with their total lack of love and demanding adherence to man-made doctrine will have to pay. The similarity between modern elders and 1st-Century Pharisees is uncanny. Jesus pointed out "Isaiah aptly prophesied about you"; the Pharisees didn't admit to it and the current GB doesn't admit it, either.
Currently, the only power the Society and it's elder bullies have is what the members of the congregations give to it, but as this system nears the brink, don't be surprised if they assume more real power and start using force to assert their will. If the power structure of the "true religion" could kill the son of God, imprison, torture, and kill the apostles, engage in Inquisitions and Crusades, is it much of a stretch to imagine JWs turning to these tactics as the governments that limit their authoritarianism crumble? Anyone who's ever shared my experience of red-faced, screaming elders, frustrated with their total inability to Scripturally prove their opinions, knows it is entirely within their character to oversee the same acts Saul of Tarsus did.
They are leading the majority to Gehenna, just like the Pharisees did, but the people prefer the lies to the truth. The truth has never been popular and until the New World, probably never will be. The Pharisees had the support of the majority of the Jews in Jerusalem or wouldn't have been able to kill Jesus. The Nazis had the support of the majority of Germans or wouldn't have been able to exterminate 6M people and wage WW2. The Inquisitors and Crusaders had the support of the majority of their respective churches. The elders and the Society have the support of the majority of JWs. Let's face it, if the GB taught the truth and the elders acted like true Christians, they'd be out on their ears. My own experience has shown that any sweet, old, loving, Christian elders and overseers are being weeded out (or dying off) and replaced by hard-liner Society gestapo.
An astonishing situation, even a horrible thing, has been brought to be in the land: The prophets themselves actually prophesy in falsehood; and as for the priests, they go subduing according to their powers. And my own people have loved [it] that way - Jer 6:30-31
For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled - 2Tim 4:3
they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness - 2Thes 2:12
the light has come into the world but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. - John 3:19
For it is a rebellious people, untruthful sons, sons who have been unwilling to hear the law of Jehovah; who have said to the ones seeing, ‘YOU must not see,’ and to the ones having visions, ‘YOU must not envision for us any straightforward things. Speak to us smooth things; envision deceptive things. - Jer 30:9-10
for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now - Mat 24:21