It would seem that creating fanciful stories about the coming ‘New Order’ is not a recent phenomena. Back in 1920 the following appeared in The Golden Age magazine (Oct 13, page 30). You will note that their expectations were not of a Big A, but rather a restoration of Israel, Joshua style, by slaughtering all their enemies, followed by a resurrection of the Worthies of Old who would gradually take over the reigns of government, while the rest of the world carried on as usual.
In the Days of Fulfillment-A Phantasy : as Leslie Emerson
It was a beautiful summer evening. The golden glory of the sunset and the gentle breeze, through the rich green of the trees in the city park, were in pitiful contrast with the scenes of ruin and wreckage which Mr. Porter passed on his way home. Crossing the park he came to a house sadly battered, the entire front being rendered useless. "Just to think," he murmured as he ascended the stairs, "once this was the Whiittaker mansion. Now it stands a mute testimony to the spirit of wanton destructiveness."
"That you, Uncle Jimmy?" cried a boyish voice from within. "Give the password." In another moment the broken door of the former study of Doctor Jonathan Whittaker was thrown open, and the two friends were again together after a day of thrilling events.
"O Uncle," said the boy presently, "how I thank God for your safe return!" "And I for yours, Philip", said the older man, reverently. "And," continued the boy, “I have ready the best supper in weeks. Have been foraging! No, I did not steal anything," he said, laughing. "Fishing all morning, then coming home I found cabbage, lettuce and turnips near a deserted farm-house. A neighbor kindly sold me a small loaf of bread."
"My dear boy, I have eaten nothing since morning. Your supper was a hungry man's meal. I have something that will interest you deeply. I was standing near the ruins of the building that once bore the name of Cooper, Porter & Co., when a former business friend came down Commerce Street and recognizing me said: 'Porter, have you heard the latest news from Palestine?' 'NO.' I replied, 'I probably have not. I know of the dreadful uprising against the Jews and of the reported destruction of their enemies, a wholesale slaughter according to reported accounts: nothing short of a miracle, just when it seemed that the newly established nation was facing utter ruin. Have you anything later?'
“ 'Indeed I have!' he replied, handing me this newspaper."
"Please read it, Uncle," said the boy, his face aglow. Mr. Porter read:
"Jerusalem saved! Palestine rejoicing! Jews by thousands accept Messiah! Former prophets declared awakened from the grave! Jews confronted by a gigantic contract in burying of corpses of their enemies! Appalling slaughter! Pestilence threatens unless bodies are disposed of! Notable leaders claimed to be Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Isaiah, et al, in charge of affairs! Report discredited! Fraud suspected."
"No, no." said Mr. Porter, as he threw down the paper, his eyes filling with tears. "It is no fraud; it is God's work. It is the resurrection of the Ancient Worthies. Oh, to think, Philip, that you and I should live to see this hour!"
The man of sixty and the boy of nineteen knelt together, thanking God for the manifestation of His marvellous power in behalf of His ancient people, Israel, especially that at last so many were able to see in Him whom they hitherto doubted - THE LONG-PROMISTED MESSIAH.
Philip took from an upper shelf a dark red volume entitled "Studies in the Scriptures, Volume Four". "Here it is, Uncle; this was my mother's book." He read as follows:
"The news of the discomfiture of the hosts of Gog and Magog, and of the wonderful deliverance of Israel from their enemies, will be speedily followed by the news of the appearance of their renowned fathers resurrected, and of the establishment of a government with these at its head and of the general conversion of Israel to their long-rejected Messiah. And no doubt much of this will pass for fraud amongst the Gentiles, and the Ancient Worthies will be classified as imposters." - "Battle of Armageddon," Page 628.
He also read from pages 626, 627. 640 and 641.
"Praise the Lord!" said Mr. Porter, "It will not be long, before we may have our dear ones restored from death. Let us still more earnestly walk the ways of righteousness. Oh who would not love and serve our Lord in this dawn of His day of blessing"
He was silent some moments and then added: "Just to think, Philip, Pastor Russell published the Fourth Volume of Scripture Studies, fore-telling these very events, back in 1897: and now we are living in the DAYS OF PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT."
