Turkey’s New Role in Middle East Worries Many, Yet They Do Not Understand the Prophetic Details
Ruins of Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey)
Turkey is concerning various ones:
Turkey’s New Role in Mideast Worries Many
After losing its empire to the Western powers at the close of WWI in 1918, Turkey is now making a comeback in the region, a policy that has many people questioning the wisdom of Prime Minister Erdogan’s policies.
Indeed, after continuous delays in being granted entry into the European Union Turkey had little choice but to turn eastwards once more. A move that was quite predictable in view of the EU’s stance vis-à-vis Turkey….
Senior Turkish diplomats in the region admit that the situation in Syria, in which Turkey is now directly concerned has Ankara “very worried.” And with just cause…
While the voices objecting to Iranian involvement may be muted, many in Turkey question if bringing Turkey into the fray of Middle East politics does not simply extend the conflict, or as some foresee, reviving old wounds from the days with the Ottoman Empire ruled the Levant and beyond.
Memories in this part of the world tend to linger. As a young Kosovar Albanian once said to me, “We used to be Christian but now we are Muslim.” Somewhat confused I asked him, what exactly did he mean by “we used to be Christian?”
“Of course,” he said, “Seven-hundred and fifteen years ago we were Christians.” http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Turkeys-New-Role-in-Mideast-Worries-Many.html
Prophetically, Turkey will surprise many–including, in my view, the Turks themselves.
My wife and I have been to Turkey on three occasions and really have enjoyed it and the Turkish people. The Turks do have long memories, and one tour guide told us that if the West would not have interfered with the Ottoman Empire, that they would have kept the Middle East under control and that basically the Arabs (and the rest of the world) need Turkey for that. BTW, in Turkey, the tour guides all must be trained in Turkish history, etc. and pass a government test, and be issued a special card from the government to be actual tour guides.
As far as religion goes, while the Turks are almost 100% Muslim, they, as a rule, will consume alcohol and are not as strict as most of the Arabic Muslims. When I asked another tour guide about that. His response was essentially, “We were a nomadic people who always drank alcohol, maybe we are not so good Muslims.”
The Turks I have had political and/or religious discussions with (and not just tour guides) have tended to have more of a pragmatic, than mainly religious, view of the world. The basic attitude that comes across is that the Turks will do what they think is best for themselves and ideology per se can be second to practical considerations.
The comment in the news article that the Turks used to be “Christian” is interesting, as in a sense, it hints that they may be willing to accept some form of a faith that claims ties to it. As it turns out, there are many Catholic prophecies that indicate that the Turks will become (ecumenical) 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)
Thus, even though it may not always have the best relations, Catholic prophecy indicates that Turkey will ultimately align with the coming compromised “Catholic” beast power.
The Bible indicates that the Turks (who are not Arabs, but seems to be Edom in scripture) will make a deal with the rising European power, along with the Arabs and Turkey:
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. (Psalms 83:4-8, NKJV)
But since Edom escapes much of what happens to the King of the South in Daniel 11:40-43, despite a deal with the Arabs, Turkey is apparently not a going to be a strong supporter of the final King of the South for very long. But apparently it will be aligned for a while with that power.
And it, with directions from the European power, will destroy much of Jerusalem (apparently the final fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:1-2)
Notice also the following:
7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation!”8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,
Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock! (Psalms 137:7-9)
Notice that Edom wants Jerusalem destroyed (consistent with its desires in Psalm 83) and that it is considered part of the “daughter of Babylon,” which is also a term that seems to also represent the compromised religious European Beast power (cf. Isaiah 47:1,8; Revelation 18:1-8; Zechariah 2:6-7). And Turkey apparently will encourage the destruction of Jerusalem. And while it could do that from an Islamic perspective, since the Bible tells of the King of the North entering Jerusalem and causing abominations (Daniel 11:31), it may be more supporting the King of North with its attitude and not just the King of the South.
This is likely to happen around the time the King of the North, who is a prince first (cf. Daniel 9:26-27; Ezekiel 32:29-30) eliminates the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).
Interestingly, notice the following Catholic prophecy about betrayal of a great Arabic power:
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, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 107).
The “Great Arab” is probably supposed to represent the Islamic Mahdi/Caliph, the final King of the South. The Turks currently control Byzantium and have for many centuries. Hence, Catholic prophecy indicates that Turkey will betray the Islamic Arabic power. Daniel 11:25-26 is clear that an ally of the King of the South will betray the King of the South. If Daniel 11:25-26 has future fulfillment (and as it seems to parallel Daniel 11:40-43 it may), it would seem that there will be close allies (like Turkey) that will betray the King of the South according to scripture as well.
The Bible shows that although the King of the North invades and overpowers the King of the South that Turkey (Edom below) escapes:
40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. (Daniel 11:40-41)
The fact that Edom/Turkey escapes is consistent with Turkey perhaps deciding to support the King of the North, who according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 will have a variety of signs and lying wonders confirming his claims legitimacy.
It may be of interest to note that on more than one occasion, my wife and I were told while in Turkey, that there is an annual celebration for Mary in the area near Ephesus that Islamic Turks put on and participate in. The name of Mary (or Miriam/Maryam/etc. depending on the translated spelling) is mentioned more times in the Qur’an than Jesus’ is (I have read many passages in it about her). And while some may think that Islamic interest in Mary is odd, notice also the following:
In the Koran, the holy name of the Blessed Virgin Mary is mentioned no less than thirty times. No other woman’s name is even mentioned, not even that of Mohammed’s daughter, Fatima. Among men, only Abraham, Moses, and Noah are mentioned more times than Our Lady…Make no mistake about it, there is a very special relationship between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Moslems! (Cizik LJ Priest. OUR LADY AND ISLAM: HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN. Soul Magazine. September – October 2001, © 2001 The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, U.S.A., Inc., page 6 http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/olislam.htm viewed 11/02/10)
Because of Islamic fascination with Mary, it is possible that an apparition claiming to be Mary might appear in Turkey and/or elsewhere. This also seems consistent with another Catholic prophecy:
Blessed Maria of Agreda (died 1665): The power of Mary in the latter days will be very conspicuous. Mary will extend the reign of Christ over the heathens and the Mohammedans (Dupont, p. 33).
St. Louis-Marie Grignion De Montfort (18th century): The power of Mary over all the devils will be particularly outstanding in the last period of time. She will extend the Kingdom of Christ over the idolaters and Moslems, and there will come glorious era when Mary is the Ruler and Queen of Hearts.(Dupont, p. 33)
Perhaps I should add that ever since the Turks took over Constantinople (now called Istanbul) in the 15th century, Eastern Orthodox Catholics have believed that Istanbul would once again embrace their religion (and likely it will embrace some version of it for a short while per Revelation 13:3-4,8).
The Bible indicates that Turkey will suffer mightily for some of its actions, including apparently how it will help destroy the Jewish nation of Israel (perhaps as vengeance for what Israel might do if Iran attacks it–which is something that I have suspected in the past):
12 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,” 13 therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword. 14 I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance,” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 25:12-14)
15 As you rejoiced because the inheritance of the house of Israel was desolate, so I will do to you; you shall be desolate, O Mount Seir, as well as all of Edom — all of it! Then they shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 35:15)
19 “Egypt shall be a desolation,
And Edom a desolate wilderness,
Because of violence against the people of Judah,
For they have shed innocent blood in their land. (Joel 3:19)11 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because he pursued his brother with the sword,
And cast off all pity;
His anger tore perpetually,
And he kept his wrath forever. (Amos 1:11)8 “Will I not in that day,” says the Lord,”Even destroy the wise men from Edom, And understanding from the mountains of Esau? 9 Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, To the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau
May be cut off by slaughter.
10 “For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever. 11 In the day that you stood on the other side— In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, When foreigners entered his gates
And cast lots for Jerusalem— Even you were as one of them. (Obadiah 8-11)17 “Edom also shall be an astonishment;
Everyone who goes by it will be astonished
And will hiss at all its plagues.
18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah
And their neighbors,” says the Lord,
“No one shall remain there,
Nor shall a son of man dwell in it. (Jeremiah 49:17-18)
Though, like others, salvation will be available to the Turks (see Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis). Yet apparently because the Turks are expected to betray Israel, God has a special punishment first.
So, Turkey apparently will have serious negative involvement with the nation of Israel in a relatively short period of time. Prophetically, the Turks will likely be surprised by their roles and what will happen to them. So, likely, will many in the world.
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy (including Iran and Turkey). What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi?
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?
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?
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.
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