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Turkey,
Russia, and the "Time of the End"
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The
"time of the end" is a time used by God in relation to warning signs
for all humanity (Daniel 11:40). It does not imply the destruction of
mankind, or the burning up of the earth -- as is often claimed, but
never mentioned in the Bible. The phrase describes the "end" of what
the Lord Jesus Christ styled "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24),
when the present constitution of things will be overthrown to make way
for the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. The mention of
an "end" indicates that the present social environment, and a way of
life that brings no true and lasting satisfaction, must finish -- and
a new age dawn! The Word of God is the assurance that it will soon occur.
The signs that "the end" is at hand are evident in the international
affairs of the nations. Especially is this the case, in regard to the
powers of Turkey and Russia. Both are mentioned in the Bible as being
associated together at "the time of the end," and the important reason
for their roles are explained in this booklet.
Almighty
God did not create this wonderful earth and its enveloping heavens to
be destroyed. The Bible testifies that He formed it "to be inhabited"
(Isaiah 45:18). He desired it to reflect to his glory and to develop
a paradise in which creation can enjoy its potential to reflect the
wisdom and glory of its Creator.
But
mankind has failed to live up to the divine ideals. History testified
to a continuing saga of humanity setting itself against the righteous
laws established by God, and bringing about a state of continuing violence
and evil. Therefore God determined that in the course of time, He would
redeem the earth from the desolating hand of man. and return it to its
original condition of harmony, peace and beauty.
This
will come about by a complete change of government which will occur
when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, as has been clearly declared in
God's Word. Two thousand years ago, the apostle Peter declared that
God would "send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom
the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things,
which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began" (Acts 3:20-21).
The
phrase "times of restitution (restoration, or refreshing)" is significant.
It contrasts the present arid spiritual condition of mankind, with the
wonderful order of things that God has proposed for this earth. Then
the institutions of Gentilism, with all the bloodshed and wickedness
that they engender, will be removed, and replaced by a political system
in which the golden rule of divine wisdom will become the foundation
of society.
Bible
prophecy not only shows that Jesus Christ is to return, to reign personally
and visibly upon earth, but also that his return is near at hand. There
are numerous prophetic signs described in the Bible, that show this
to be so. The return of the Jews to Palestine and the emergence of the
State of Israel after nearly 2000 years of dispersion is clearly revealed
in the prophecies of the Bible, together with the widespread, unprecedented
preparations for war in many areas, and the discordant elements which
are dividing nations in preparation for their final alignment which
will lead to Armageddon. These signs of the times reveal to Bible students
that the "time of the end" is at hand!
Unmistakable
signposts include the continuing influence of Russia in Europe and Asia,
and the gradual decline of the power of Turkey over the past two centuries.
They demonstrate, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that we live on the
very eve of the most dramatic event in all history -- the return of
the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth. to take up his universal power and
reign over all mankind.
Prophecy:
A Light in the Midst of Darkness
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It
may appear surprising that the country of Turkey should come under the
category of outstanding Bible "signs" of the "time of the end." Turkey
is generally considered to be of no particular political relevance today,
and most readers will be surprised to learn that this relatively obscure
nation is referred to in Bible prophecy as an important element in developments
leading to Christ's second advent.
These
facts are clearly contained within the pages of Scripture. The apostle
Peter declared that prophecy is "as a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn ... (2 Peter 1:19). The "day" referred to in this
verse points forward to a new era in history. It will be introduced
by divine judgments upon the world, for the Bible states that God "hath
appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness
by that man [the Lord Jesus Christ] whom He hath ordained; whereof
He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised him from
the dead" (Acts 17:3 1). Therefore the "day" soon to dawn will bring
about an epoch of wisdom, divine education and peace, that has never
been experienced upon the earth in the past. It is called "the kingdom
of God" and will be a "day" of great glory.
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What
Of the Nation of Turkey?
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When
the spotlight of the prophetic Word is focussed upon the nation of Turkey,
a remarkable contrast is revealed. Today, this insignificant country
which borders the Mediterranean on the south. and the Black Sea on the
north, is but a shadow of its former power. It has become impoverished
economically and is constantly threatened by its more powerful neighbors,
especially Russia to the north.
The
evidence for this statement is contained in the last book of the Bible:
Revelation. This book presents the final message of the Lord Jesus,
given so that his servants "might understand the things which must
shortly come to pass" (ch. 1:1). It is not recorded in plain, literal
language, such as in other parts of scripture, but is concealed in symbology,
as its first verse clearly states: Christ "sent and signified it
by his angel unto his servant John." The word "signified" means to set
forth its message in the form of "sign-language." The book appears difficult
to understand, until the clues that reveal its hidden meaning are found.
But
interspersed with its enigmatical language are sufficient explanatory
notes to enable the student to correctly understand the message it seeks
to convey. Then it becomes a wonderful record of prophetic history,
outlining national and ecclesiastical events down through the ages to
the establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth. and beyond.
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The
Outpouring of Divine Wrath Two Centuries Ago
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Revelation
16 introduces the student to prophecy relating to modern history. Seven
vials (a container used to pour out liquids) of divine wrath are represented
as being poured out in succession upon the nations because of the manner
in which men "blasphemed the God of heaven." and "repented not of their
deeds" (v. 11).
We
want to stress the reason for the outpouring of these judgments. God
is not vindictive. He does not desire to make men suffer punishment
and trouble unreasonably. But as long as they continue to blaspheme
His Name, ridicule His ways, and fill the earth with violence and immorality,
it remains necessary for a just and righteous God to discipline and
correct. He uses the ambitions and schemes of men and nations to that
end, so that their punishment is self-inflicted.
But
God is near to those who seek Him. Isaiah declared: "Behold, the LORD's
hand is not shortened. that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy, that
it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear"
(Isaiah 59:1-2). When men reject the mercy of God they become amenable
to His punishment. But, even then, justice is blended with mercy, for
when His judgments are fully revealed, "the inhabitants of the earth
will learn righteousness" (ch. 26:9).
Meanwhile,
all efforts of man to bring peace upon earth have failed. "There is
no peace for the wicked" (ch. 48:22; 57:21). So that true wisdom lies
in seeking the refuge God has provided through His Son.
We
do not intend to give a detailed exposition of the whole of Revelation
16 [for this, refer to the booklet entitled: "The Secret of the Revelation
explained"], but concentrate attention upon the "sixth vial," mentioned
in verse 12, which introduces present-day events: "the sixth angel
poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof
was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."
The previous five vials concern events that developed out of the
French Revolution of 1789. This political upheaval brought to the fore
Napoleon, a genius of war, who proved to be an awful scourge to Europe,
and particularly to the Papal church. Through Napoleon the vials of
divine wrath were poured out upon Europe, by means of the wars which
then erupted illustrating the principle that "the wicked are God's sword
to execute His vengeance" (see Jeremiah 46: 10).
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The
River Euphrates - Symbol for the Power of Turkey
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The
words of Revelation 16:12, mentioned above, are not to be interpreted
literally. The passage is not predicting that the water of the actual
river Euphrates will suddenly dry up. The "river" is a political symbol,
and the "water" represents its power. There is a hint to the interpretation
of this verse in the explanatory note contained in ch. 17:15, "The waters...
are [or represent] peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and
tongues." When these "dry up," a nation's political power recedes.
The
Euphrates represents the country in which it originates: Turkey
-- as the Nile represents Egypt; the Murray does Australia; the Thames
of England -- being the principal rivers of the territories concerned.
In Isaiah 8:7-8 the Euphrates is mentioned in relation to the ancient
empire of Assyria, which extended over the area of modem Turkey. It
is not, in that passage, represented there evaporating, as in
the verse before us, but bursting its banks, flooding down over
the lands of Syria and Palestine. "Behold," said the prophet to his
contemporaries, "the LORD bringeth up upon them the waters of the river
[Euphrates] strong and many, even the king of Assyria
and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels, and go
over all his banks and shall overflow." In Revelation 16:12, the same
symbol is used, but in reverse -- the political river is shown drying
up.
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The
Rise and Glory of the Ottoman Empire
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This
verse should be linked with ch. 9:14-21, where the development of the
Turkish Empire is foreshadowed. The decree is proclaimed: "Loose the
four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates." After due
preparation these four messengers of doom were loosed upon eastern Europe,
bringing political death to the Byzantine Empire when its capital at
Constantinople (today known as Istanbul) was conquered in 1453, the
then remaining remnant of the once mighty Roman Empire (see v. 18).
These
four "angels" answer to the four divisions among the Turks: the Seljuks,
Moguls, Tartars and Ottomans, which, in successive waves, devastated
eastern Europe. Originally "bound," or restrained, by the river Euphrates,
they are represented as overflowing its banks, and flooding the adjacent
countries with their devastating "waters".
So
successful were the Turks that ultimately they developed into one of
the most powerful nations on earth. Even as late as 170 years ago, Turkey
was still considered as one of the great powers of the nations. Her
conquests extended over three areas: Europe, Asia and Africa, and reached
from Poland in the north, to Algiers in the south.
Her
empire included the whole of the Middle East. She desolated Palestine,
and refused Jews to enter the area. She dominated Hungary, the Balkan
States and Greece. Her territory extended deep into southern Russia.
Her
ruler had the pompous title of "Emperor of Powerful Emperors;
Refuge of Sovereigns; Distributor of Crowns to the Kings of the
Earth; Keeper of the Two Very Holy Cities; Governor of the Holy,
City of Jerusalem; Master of Europe, Asia and Africa; High King
of the Two Seas; the Shadow of God upon Earth." At the height of
its power, Turkey was dreaded, feared and hated by the civilized world
for its ruthlessness.
But
today. Turkey is a weak nation, clinging precariously to the remnants
of her once mighty empire. And even this shadow of her previous glory
exists only in sufferance. It would have be swept into the political
abyss if America and Britain had not given their support in past years.
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When
"the River Dried Up"
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The
prophecy of Revelation 16:12 indicates the significance of the decline
of Turkey which commenced in 1820. Notice that the Bible speaks of the
empire "drying up," not being destroyed in an avalanche. There would
be no sudden overthrow of the Turkish Empire, such as has happened to
other nations, but a gradual decline of her resources in every facet
- territorial, military, naval and financial -- so that today it is
hard to realize how powerful this country once was. When it is remembered
that Vienna was besieged by the Turks in 1697, and that the Ottoman
Empire possessed a large part of southern Russia until the middle of
the eighteenth century, some idea can be formed of the enormous changes
that have taken place.
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Turkey's
Decline Anticipated
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Lest
the reader should imagine that the interpretation of the scripture before
us is a matter of the moment, and that we are merely bending the Bible
to conform to current developments, we point out that the gradual decline
of Turkey has been anticipated by Bible students for centuries. In 1643,
an expositor, Mede, published his Key to the Revelation, and
commented on the 16th chapter: "The great river Euphrates we interpret
to mean the Turks. . . therefore by this sixth vial this power shall
be dried up. " He explained that the Jews would return at that epoch,
and went on to refer to the "horrible and unheard-of preparation for
war" described by this vial.
Another
commentator, Tillinghast, wrote in 1670: "By the river Euphrates
we are to understand the Ottoman or Turkish Empire. It is called the
great river because of the multitude of people and nations therein.
The people who at present are of all others accounted the greatest are
the Turks; who, therefore, and no other, are here to be understood .
. ."
A
further comment on the same matter was made by a Christadelphian Bible
student. John Thomas, in 1856, who wrote: "The water of the great
river Euphrates, in like manner, represents the military power of the
Turkish Empire; which is to be dissipated by a process of evaporation,
a drying up, a gradual exhaustion, so as to leave the channel of the
river empty and devoid of all power to impede or interfere" with
the political developments of the last days. He quotes another writer
as saying: "By what means the Turkish empire shall be reduced to
this helpless state (an empire formerly distinguished for its enthusiastic,
loyalty, ferocity, and valor; and which is even at this day - 1802 -
as populous as any other upon earth, the Chinese excepted) is not intimated
in this verse; and will perhaps remain concealed until the events themselves
shall remove the veil . . ." (Eureka, vol. 5, p. 178, 190).
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The
Dramatic Decline of Turkey
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The
year 1820 saw the commencement of this "drying up" process in a series
of disasters that irreparably weakened the Turkish nation. In that year,
Greece rebelled against the Turks, and seven years later gained independence.
In 1828, Wallachia and Moldavia were annexed and Serbia threw off the
Turkish yoke. The following year France occupied Algiers in North Africa,
and commenced to "dry up" the Turkish Empire from that direction.
By
now Turkey was called "the sick man of Europe," and its approaching
eclipse was anticipated. But Britain and France feared that Russia might
fill the political vacuum which would be thus created, and sought to
revive the dying empire. Thus, when Egypt revolted in 1832, and Mehemet
Ali drove the Turkish forces back almost to the Euphrates, the revolt
was quelled, not by Turkey, but by a combination of great powers headed
by Britain. And in the constant attacks that Turkey now experienced
from Russia, she found that she could rely upon Britain as her ally,
and that British forces were always there to hold the enemy at bay.
But
the "drying up" process continued. Massacre, civil war. famine. earthquake,
military invasion, a constant succession of reverses within and without,
weakened and dissipated the empire. Though reformers from within and
allies from without attempted to stem the drift, they found themselves
powerless to do so. They were fighting destiny. The years saw Turkey
gradually, but inevitably, declining towards ruinous regression.
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Britain
Attacks Turkey Under Unexpected Circumstances
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The
greatest blow of all occurred during World War I (1914-17). For over
one hundred years Britain had stood as the consistent ally of Turkey,
and when war broke out, she felt that she could rely upon the co-operation
of Turkey as a benevolent neutral. But against all principles of gratitude,
in defiance of her traditional policy for over a century, and against
her own interests, Turkey sided with Germany and Austria.
At
first, Britain ignored the calculated coldness of her onetime ally,
and even turned a blind eye to the insults that Turkey heaped upon her.
But then came the unforgivable action. Turkey not only rejected British
advances, but commenced hostilities by firing on British ships. Open
conflict between the two erstwhile allies became inevitable.
The
Bible had predicted this. The prophet Daniel recorded: "At the time
of the end shall the king of the south push at him; and the king of
the north shall come against him like a whirlwind... and shall overflow
and pass over" (ch. 11:40).
There
are four points to be noted in this verse: [1] The time when it is
to be fulfilled. [2] The king of the south. [3] The king of the north.
[4] The "him" whom they both attack.
The
"time of the end" is a period clearly defined by the prophet
as the epoch in which faithful believers in God will be rewarded (Daniel
11:35), and when the prophet himself will be raised to life eternal
(ch. 12:2, 13). It is therefore a period that has a beginning and an
end, and which will consummate in the return of the Lord Jesus to establish
upon earth his kingdom and to reign. As we shall show, the partial fulfillment
of Daniel 11:40 resulted in a remarkable step towards the consummation
of the purpose of God which clearly shows that we are in "the time
of the end."
The
"king of the north" represents a power north of Israel, and in ancient
times answered to the kingdom of Syria controlled by the Seleucids,
portion of which territory is today in Russian hands; therefore Russia
is represented in the prophecy by this title.
The
"him" which these two powers successively attack refers to the "king"
mentioned in verse 36. He was neither "king of the north." nor "king
of the south," because he occupied all the territory formerly controlled
by both of these kings. History shows this power to have been the Eastern
(Byzantine) Roman Empire, with its headquarters in Constantinople (Istanbul).
In 1453. however, the Ottoman Turks successfully laid siege to Constantinople,
and, ejecting the Byzantine government, occupied the city as their capital.
As the prophecy does not concern peoples, but rather geographical places,
the power in occupation of the area of Constantinople thus became the
"him" of this verse, and the power styled by Daniel in his eighth
chapter as "the little horn of the goat."
Daniel
11:40 thus requires that there should exist "in the time of the end"
a king of the north, a king of the south, and a third power in occupation
of Constantinople -- all contemporaneously.
When
Russia occupied Armenia. and so came into the region of the ancient
kingdom of Syria, and Britain annexed Egypt (1882) and so assumed the
prophetic title of the king of the south, the way was paved for the
fulfillment of this prophecy.
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The
Significance of 9th December, 1917
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The
declaration of war between Britain (the king of the south), and Turkey
(the "him" of Daniel 11:40), led to the "push" of the former against
the latter, as predicted by Daniel.
In
1917, the Australian and British forces under General Allenby "pushed"
against Turkey from Egypt, and were so successful in their attack. that
by the 9th December, they stood on the outskirts of Jerusalem. General
Allenby was loathe to bomb this city of such hallowed memories, and
whilst he hesitated, the Turks evacuated the city. The invading forces
entered without a shot being fired, and Jerusalem was freed from the
desolating hand of the Turk.
Meanwhile,
in England, the war effort had been greatly aided by the inventive genius
of a Jewish scientist, Chaim Weizmann, destined to become the first
president of the Jewish State. What was to be his reward for such valuable
services rendered? Weizmann told the British Government that he wanted
nothing for himself, but would like Palestine as a national home for
his dispersed and persecuted people.
This
suited the British Government. A declaration in favor of Jewry would
gain sympathy for England in its dire struggle with Germany, from powerful
Jewish communities throughout the world, and particularly in America.
The Balfour Declaration was thus proclaimed in 1917. It offered
Palestine as a national home for the Jews, and in which Britain avowed
her intention of implementing the establishment of this homeland by
all possible means. In 1922, the League of Nations endorsed this
principle.
In
1917, after nineteen centuries of dispersion, the doors of Palestine
swung open to receive Jewish exiles. Many Bible prophecies began to
have fulfillment. The Lord Jesus had declared: "Jerusalem shall be trodden
down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles
be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). Now the first step in the freeing of this
city had occurred.
Here
are some of the other prophecies that relate to the return of Jewish
exiles to the land of their forefathers in the Middle East:
- "Hear
the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar
off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him,
as a shepherd doth his flock" (Jeremiah 31:10).
- "I
will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts
of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with
child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company
shall return thither" (v. 8).
- "It
shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck
up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict;
so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD."
(v. 28).
- "I
will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they
be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their
own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains
of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all . . ." (Ezekiel
37:21-22).
This
last quotation is particularly significant. It speaks of Israel first
being regathered, then established as a nation, and finally existing
under a monarchial system of government with its own king.
Jewry
has been partly regathered today. The State of Israel is a fact
in the earth. But as a Republic, it still lacks a king, and will do
so until the Lord Jesus returns from heaven to take up his rightful
position as king of Israel, and ultimately of the whole world (Jeremiah
3:17: Isaiah 2:2-4).
The
return of the Jews to their land. shown by the prophet as being preliminary
to Christ's reign on earth, was only made possible by the "drying up"
of the political "river Euphrates" (Turkey) from Palestine. The "push"
of the king of the south (Britain) in 1917, opened the way for that
to take place. As the angel told Daniel, the prophecy of his eleventh
chapter was designed to reveal "what shall befall thy people in the
latter days" (ch. 10:14). An important step towards the complete
emancipation of the Jewish people had been taken by the fulfillment
of the first portion of this 40th verse.
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Russian
Drive Against Turkey
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Meanwhile,
Turkey lost not merely Palestine, but all her territory in the Middle
East, except a portion in Asia Minor and a smaller section in Europe
around Istanbul.
She
is yet to lose even that. She is to be entirely "dried up" by being
completely dominated by Russia. Notice carefully the words of Daniel
11:40, "The king of the north (Russia) will come against him
(Turkey) like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen and many ships,
and will overflow and pass over."
These
words describe more than a mere "push," such as the king of the south
(Britain) exerted against Turkey in 1917. They portray a lightning attack
by Russia of such a devastation as to be fully successful.
Today,
Russia is bent upon securing her position as a dominant power, prior
to seeking world domination. She realizes the importance of having complete
command of the Middle East. But until she has a sea-water outlet into
the Mediterranean, she has no hope of grasping this prize, and for her
there is only one outlet -- through the straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles,
today held by Turkey.
Thus
the political "river Euphrates" stands as a barrier to ultimate Russian
ambitions. In time of war, Turkey could bottle up the Russian navy in
the Black Sea by closing the narrow outlet through the Dardanelles,
and even now, in time of relative peace, Russian warships are only permitted
through these narrow straits by permission of the local authorities!
Turkey is thus a bulwark in the strategy of the Western Powers, guarding
the all-important Middle East, with its militarily strategic position,
and its enormous reserves of oil so essential to the commercial and
political existence of the West. That is why American dollars and British
influence are being used to strengthen Western influence in the Middle
East.
But
there is fear that the Russian forces, which are being tested in other
areas of its dominion, and Russian shipping -- which some claim to be
the third largest fleet in the world, much of which is located in the
Black Sea -- will one day be used, initially against Turkey, with devastating
results.
And
that will happen. Soon, without warning and at lightning speed, as the
prophecy of Daniel shows, these forces will move South. The allies of
the West will be thrown off guard, and will not have time to marshall
their forces to the defense of Turkey before that country falls. In
occupation of Istanbul, and possessing an outlet to the Mediterranean,
Russian ambitions will be enhanced.
But
they will not be satisfied. The defeat of Turkey is only the means to
an end. Once there, Russia will consolidate her position preparatory
to the next move in her plan of campaign: a drive against Egypt in the
south (Daniel 11:40-45).
At
the opportune moment the Russian forces will move. Entering the "glorious
land" (v. 41: Israel), they will bypass the mountainous parts of Jerusalem
and the Arab territories east of the Jordan (known in the Bible as "Edom
and Moab"), and drive directly towards Egypt, which "shall not escape"
(v. 42). In Egypt, however, reports of recent events will trouble the
Russian dictator (v. 44). The prophecy does not explain what this troublous
news is, but could possibly relate to the massing of Anglo-American
forces in the Arabian territories to the east, perhaps with the objective
of cutting the communications of the Russian army.
With
"fury" the Russian forces will ascend from Egypt to lay siege to Jerusalem,
the "glorious holy mountain" (v. 45). This will introduce the battle
of Armageddon (see Ezekiel 38: Joel 3: Zechariah 14; Revelation 16:16),
in which the mighty armies of the two great blocs of nations -- Russian,
and Anglo-American -- will contest the issue.
But
neither will be the ultimate victor. At this time, the Lord Jesus Christ
will intervene together with his mighty forces. Before the descent of
Russia southward, Christ will have returned to the earth, raised front
the dead and given immortality to those of his followers who have lived
in obedience to his precepts, and will then move against a world wholly
given over to war and the pursuit of power.
He
will "break in pieces the oppressor" (Psalm 72), and destroy the war-mongers
(Revelation 11:18) abolish the governments of men, and thereupon establish
his glorious kingdom (Daniel 2:44), bringing all mankind into subjection
to his wise and beneficial rule.
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The
Purpose of Turkey's Decline
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God
has not decreed the decline of Turkish power for the benefit of Russia,
Britain, America, Jewry or the Arab nations but, as is clearly expressed
in Revelation 16:12, that "the way of the kings of the east might
be prepared."
Who
are these kings? In the original text, the word "east" signifies "the
sun's rising," so that the term is better translated as "kings who are
out of a sun's rising." The "sun" in question is not the natural orb
shining in the heavens above, but is a symbolic term denoting the Lord
Jesus Christ and his immortalized friends. He is "the sun of righteousness,
who shall arise with healing in his beams" (Malachi 4:1-2). His return
to the earth will fill it with divine light (Isaiah 60:1), as the rising
sun of the morning drives away the gloom of night. His coming, and his
reign, will be the New Day of the Lord, so frequently spoken
of in the Bible as replacing the darkness of the Gentile night.
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The
Important Appeal of the Gospel
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And
with the coming of Christ, the purpose of the gospel will be revealed.
The gospel is a divine call to individuals to associate with the Lord
Jesus Christ now, at a time when most people turn their backs upon his
teachings. To those who accept the way of truth and righteousness, will
be granted the reward of honor and glory at his return (Revelation 22:12).
That reward constitutes life eternal, and a position of authority in
the kingdom he will establish. This principle is clearly taught in the
following quotations:
- The
Glorified believers will declare of Christ, that "thou hast redeemed
us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we
shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10)
- Of
Christ's coming dominion it is declared: "a king shall reign in righteousness,
and princes [his followers] shall rule in judgment"
- "The
Lord shall reign in mount Zion. and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients
[Christ's faithful ancestors] gloriously" (Isaiah 24:23).
- "All
kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him" (Psalm
72:11).
The
kings mentioned. who reign with the Lord Jesus, are his followers, raised
from the dead or gathered to his presence on his return, and given immortal
life. They are therefore "the kings out of a sun's rising," for their
manifestation will take place at the return of the Lord Jesus, the "sun
of righteousness." They, therefore, constitute the future "kings of
the east" (Revelation 16:12).
The
drying up of Turkish power is represented as preparing the "way" of
these kings who are out of a "sun's rising." We have seen how this will
be accomplished. Turkey was driven from Palestine and the way was opened
for the return of the Jews to the promised Land. This was in fulfillment
of the prophecies of the Bible which show it to be a necessary corollary
to the establishment of Christ as king of the Jews, and of the whole
world (Jeremiah 3:17).
If
the reader thinks this strange, consider the question that the disciples
put to the Lord Jesus over 1,900 years ago: "Behold. we have forsaken
all and followed thee: what shall we have therefore" They desired to
know the benefits of discipleship and of following his teachings, and
the Master responded: "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration
when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, ye also
shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken [anything] for my name's
sake shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life"
(Matthew 19:27-30).
The
apostles were promised that they would exercise authority over Israel
when the kingdom of God is established on the earth. Thus the return
of the Jews is a necessary pre-requisite to that time, when Israel,
in common with all nations, will be humbled, disciplined and brought
into subjection to Christ.
But
until 1917, Turkey stood as an insurmountable barrier to any substantial
return of the Jews. The Turkish Government was inexorably opposed to
it. Thus the Turks had to be driven from the land before the purpose
of God could be effected.
In
our time this has been achieved, and the political "river Euphrates"
has been partially dried up that the way of the kings of the east "might
be prepared." What is happening in world affairs today is in preparation
for the imminent return of the Lord Jesus, and the establishment of
the kingdom of God.
The
great international drama will continue whether men interest themselves
in it or not. Christ will come, the kingdom of God will be established
upon the earth -- and hopefully the reader will accept the message conveyed
in this booklet, and earnestly seeks to know more concerning the way
of salvation.
Let
wisdom govern your choice in this matter, in seeking God's way, a way
of life that not only brings personal satisfaction now, but also enables
you to live in hope of the future. This is the only right decision to
make. It will open your eyes to the remarkable events that are happening
in today's world, and show you what you might expect soon to occur.
But, more importantly, it will give a reason for life, and a grand future
to anticipate. It is the means to true happiness and peace of mind today,
possible from no other source than that which is available from God's
Inspired Word. We hope that you will take your Bible, open its pages,
and rejoice in its teaching.