Fulfilment of a Grand Prophecy - Hazrat Ahmad’s Challenge to John Alexander Dowie — Page 21
:. Fulfillment of a Grand Prophecy people from the East and from the West, from the. North and from the South, and settle them in this and other Zion cities until the time shall come when the Muhammadans are swept away. . . may. God grant us this time. " He also published a vision on the 5th of December 1903 in which, he related, he saw an angel who told him that he would triumph over his enemies. This vision related soon after the publication of the announcement, which predicted for him a death in sorrow, and suffering was no doubt fabricated as a reply to the Promised Messiah's prophecy. as. These and other such remarks made from time to time in the Leaves of Healing show clearly that though Dowie feared to accept the challenge openly, yet he brought himself in opposition to the. Promised Messiah and indirectly accepted the challenge. The latter moreover had published his prayer to God imploring a Divine judgment, and since he claimed that his prayers were accepted, his publication of the prayer was equivalent to the publication of its acceptance. . The publication of the prophecy is, therefore, a settled fact, and now we have to see whether the prophecy was fulfilled. The prophecy indicated that Dowie who was more than eleven years younger than the Promised Messiahas would die in the latter's lifetime, that them an who lived like a king in palaces, at whose bidding thousands of men kneeled before him, whose wealth was counted by millions and who enjoyed the most perfect health claiming not only that no disease would affect him, but also that he could heal all kinds of diseases, that man would end his days in great sorrow and suffering, and lastly that calamity would overtake his Zion. The fulfillment of these prophecies is so clear that it needs no explanation. The following facts relating to the circumstances of Dowie's life at the time of the publication of the prophecy and the change which the next few years produced will, we hope, cast further light upon the fulfillment of the prophecy. . At the time of the publication of the prophecy in 21. August 1903, Dowie was the leader, according to his own statement, of over a hundred thousand persons and counted his wealth over twenty million dollars which means in Indian money six crores and twenty-five lacs of rupees. He lived in a house whose preparation cost him nearly six and a half lacs of rupees and occupied the most expensive and luxurious staterooms when traveling. Two valets, three secretaries, a personal bodyguard and several sub deacons attended his personal wants in his journeys. He had a well-paid army of evangelists who worked in almost every country in the world. His factories in Zion were in a most flourishing condition. He was not only the owner of the whole city of Zion, but he was actually making plans for similar other cities. He was so strong and in such good health that he asserted that he would never become ill. For two years after the announcement of the prophecy, the star of his prosperity was still in the ascendant. . But soon it began to decline. He was first stricken with a severe attack of paralysis. This was on the 1st October 1905. A second attack of paralysis on the 19th December incapacitated him for all work. . As an invalid he removed himself to a tropic isle to regain health and left the charge of the Zion affairs in the hands of his overseers. But this only proved to be the beginning of fresh and unthought of troubles. In his absence, his disciples discovered that he had been guilty of the most serious offences. Some of the charges against him were that: "Dowie drank Scotch highballs, telling friends the drink was weak tea; kept wine and soda water in his cellar. "Dowie planned band of seven 'vestal virgins' who were to attend him "Shortage of 2,529,766 dollars in accounts of Zion, laid to Dowie by Voliva "Presents of 35,500 dollars given to pretty. Zion women by Dowie. "