Turkey’s Impatient with EU

Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey is getting impatient with the European Union:

Exasperated Turkey slammed its fist on the table this weekend saying Europe is dragging its feet on EU entry talks, while the 27-nation bloc sought to boost ties with a nation whose worldwide weight is on the rise.

After sitting down for talks on Saturday with the 27-nation bloc’s foreign affairs chiefs, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: “I expressed our dissatisfaction with the speed of the negotiations, I expressed it clearly.” (Le Forestier Y. Turkey losing patience with EU. AFP. September 12, 2010. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/turkey-losing-patience-with-eu-20100912-156te.html)

Today, Turkey voted on constitutional changes which will make it more appealing to Europe:

Istanbul, Turkey (CNN) — Turks voted Sunday in a divisive national referendum over constitutional reform seen as a crucial test for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government…Torrential rains inundated Istanbul on Sunday, although it was unclear what impact that would have on voter turnout in Turkey’s biggest city…

The proposed reforms also include amendments to the country’s judicial system and curbs on the power of military courts. Other measures would guarantee gender equality and put in place measures to protect children, the elderly and the disabled and allow collective bargaining for workers. (Watson I. Turks go to the polls in crucial referendum. CNN, September 12, 2010. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/09/12/turkey.referendum/?hpt=T1#fbid=aw-FzJcuNFH&wom=false)

But the big problem that Turkey has is that it is not a European culture. It is true that a small portion of Turkey lies on the European continent, but the vast majority of its territory is in Asia.

Furthermore, ever since its conquest by Muslims in the 15th century, Turkey has been an Islamic nation. Even now something like 99% of Turks are Muslims. And Europeans really do not care for this–and the Turks know this. Actually, notice a statement made by the EU’s current president, Herman Van Rompuy, a few years ago:

“Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe. An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past,” he said. (EU Apparently Selected Herman Van Rompuy as its President, and He Does Not Welcome Turkey as it is Islamic)

So, the Turks have reasons to be impatient with the EU as it is clear that some of the EU leadership actually does not want Turkey at this time.

From a prophetic standpoint, the Bible suggests that Turkey (Edom) will apparently be part of an end time deal with the Europeans (Assyria) to eliminate the descendants of Israel (Psalm 83). Thus, while it may not become part of the current European Union, it will apparently have some ties to it.

Interestingly, according to Catholic prophecies, Turkey will ultimately convert and become Catholic:

Dionysius of Luxemberg (died 1682): With divine assistance this ruler will not only lead erring souls back to the true Faith but also deal a heavy blow to the foes of the empire; the Turks, to take away their empire and restore it to Christianity (Connor E. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.84).

Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (died 1837): Millions of men would die by the sword in war and civil strife, other millions would perish in unforeseen death. Then entire nations would return to the unity of the Church, and many Turks, Pagans and Jews would be converted and their fervour cover with confusion the original Christians. In one word she told me that our Lord was intending to cleanse the world and His Church… (Bessieres A. Wife, Mother and Mystic (Blessed Anna Maria Taigi). Nihil Obstat: Carlos Davis, S.T.L. Imprimatur: E Morrough Bernard, Westmonasteri, die Februari, 1952. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1982, p. 166).

Old Saxon Prophecy. “The seven-headed city, now more admirable than Jerusalem, shall be a place more desolate than Jerusalem. The Dog shall enter Germany but shall afterwards forsake his master and choose for himself a new man, whereby Scripture shall be fulfilled. This Dog shall signify the Turk which shall forsake his Mohammed and choose unto him the name Christian…But after all these things the end of the world shall approach, and there shall be heavey and pitiful days.”

Comment: The seven-headed city is probably Rome…(the comment is from Dupont personally, Dupont Y. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, pp.23-24)

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser: All heresies shall be banished…the Turkish Empire shall be broken up, and all nations shall come to and worship their God in the true Catholic and Roman faith (Rossi, G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior’s permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873, p. 121)

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): In Istanbul (Constantinople) the Cross will replace the half-moon of Islamism…the Turks…will subsequently embrace the Catholic faith. (Dupont, p.76)

While many may question that, I would suggest that this could occur.

How you may ask?

Well there are several reasons:

Europe is prophesied to take the role of the economic leader of the world (cf. Revelation 18:1-4). In my view, Turks are pragmatic (I have been to Turkey at least three times) and more economically, than religiously, motivated than some of the peoples of other Islamic nations.
The Bible tells of a time that signs and lying wonders will accompany the European Beast power (2 Thessalonians 2:9) that many are expected to believe them (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Catholic prophecies tell of a time when apparitions of Mary will become fairly public (see Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions). Turkey already holds an annual celebration for Mary (2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, Arroyo Grande, California, p. 116) and the last house that she may have lived in is in Turkey (2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, p.116). Hence, the Turks seem likely to give heed to Marion apparitions who may give them messages to convert.
The Bible is clear that the (European) King of the North will overpower the (Islamic) King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Since the final King of the South will likely be an Islamic/Arab/North African power, the elimination of the vast bastion of Islam will send a signal to the Turks that Islam is no match for the European Beast power.

Not that he can be relied on, but it may be of interest to note that Nostradamus apparently felt that Turkey would end up betraying a coming Islamic leader:

Nostradamus: The Great Arab shall progress well forward, But betrayed shall be by the Byzantines. (Turks).

Comment on above from Catholic writer Yves Dupont: Here, we are told that Turkey will break its faith with the rest of the Arab world. (Dupont, p. 107).

I once has a Turk essentially tell me that the Arab world needed to be under Turkish domination as it was incapable of ruling itself otherwise. This indicates, to me at least, that the Turks will not be that supportive of any Arab leader who rises up, such as one claiming to be the Imam Mahdi (who seems to be the same one that the Bible calls the King of the South).

Now at this time, many in Turkey do not care if Turkey becomes part of the EU or not (see Turkey and the EU). However, because it has connections with Europe (many Turks work in Europe and many European vacation in Turkey) Turkey is likely to be fairly willing to align itself with Europe in the future when circumstances suggest that it is in its best interest, irrespective of what happens in today’s vote.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.