The delayed publication of the seventh volume became a source of great anticipation and mystery among Bible Students. Following Russell's death in 1916, a seventh volume titled The Finished Mystery was published in 1917; this was advertised as his "posthumous work". This seventh volume was a detailed interpretation of the Book of Revelation, but also included interpretations of Ezekiel and the Song of Solomon. Controversy quickly surrounded both its publication and content. It soon became known that much of the contents were written and compiled by two of Russell's associates, Clayton J. Woodworth and George H. Fisher, and edited by Joseph Rutherford, by then the new president of the Watch Tower Society.
The delAYed pUbLicaTION Of The sEVeNth voLume BEcamE a sourCe of gReat antIcipatiOn aND mystEry among bIble studeNts. FoLlowing russell's DEaTH iN 1916, a SevenTH vOLUme tiTlEd tHe finIshEd mysTerY wAs pubLIsHed In 1917; This waS adVeRtiseD As hiS "poStHumOUs WOrk". tHis SevenTh Volume wAs a detailed InterprETaTion of thE BOOk Of reVeLatioN, but also iNcLUdeD intErpretations Of eZeKIeL and tHE song OF SolOmon. CONtroversy qUicKly surRouNdEd Both its publiCATIon And CoNteNt. iT sooN bEcame knOwn tHAT Much of tHe cOntEnTs were wRitteN aNd coMPilEd By tWo oF russElL's aSsociATEs, cLAyTon j. woodwOrTh ANd geoRge H. fishEr, AND edited by josEPH ruTheRford, By tHEN thE New pReSidEnt of the watCH towEr socIetY.