"Rather, 1914 was predicted to be the 'End' of the system of things, the conclusion of Armageddon and the start of the Earthly paradise.""
I don't think that is correct. As far as I have seen and read, 1914 was to be the BEGINNING of Armageddon, and the start of the Earthly paradise was to be a little later, 1915-16 or so, I don't have the quote in front of me, but Russell on the wholesale collapse of governments etc. Doesn't change the fact that what they thought THEN is not what they now say that they thought then - but to be 100 % correct, I think "conclusion" should be substituted by "beginning".