One of the disciples of the Vilna Gaon, wrote a book called "Kol HaTor" in which he outlines the events leading to redemption. In this book, it is stated that "Mashiach son of Joseph" will be a secular leader (or leaders), who will gather in the Exiles, followed by Mashich ben David who will bring in the spirituality. Rav Kook, in his eulogy for Theodore Herzl, intimated that he saw Herzl as at least part of this process. Rav Kook can, apparently, be seen as following in the footsteps of the Vilna Gaon. On the other hand, the violently anti-Zionist Neturei Karta, also claim to be following in the footsteps of the Vilna Gaon. Shortly before I left Israel, a neighbor, a staunch follower of the Vilna Gaon, told me that a letter had been discovered in which the Vilna Gaon stated that earlier, he had seen immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel as being the Beginning of Redemption, and he personally had very real plans to go. However, he now realizes that the Redemption was, in fact, dependent on study of Torah. He repudiated his earlier stance. Rav Kook would have had no way of knowing this. I have not personally seen the letter.