Before becoming a JW, I was a fan of Herbert W. Armstrong (Worldwide Church of God). By my criteria this group is also a cult built around Herbert. After his passing his son Ted took over then he was excommunicated but the faithful or power hungry leadership rebranded and restructured. The JW's will survive in some form or fashion or splinter off as the followers of Russell did after the power struggle with Rutherford.
All one has to do is study primitive religions to understand the human need to explain the future. In ancient times drinking the religious Koolaid of the shamans, was a form of insurance to have the protection of the tribe. They were the anointed negotiators with the myriads of gods.