Turkey In Prophecy
By COGwriter
Turkey is often in the news.
For centuries its Ottoman Empire dominated the the Middle East, parts of North Africa, and parts of Europe.
What's ahead for Turkey?
In order to determine that from a biblical basis, first we need to be able to identify Turkey in the Bible.
In the Book of Genesis, Isaac's son Esau, received a particular blessing, and became the father of the Edomites:
38 And Esau said to his father, "Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me — me also, O my father!" And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. 39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: "Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, And of the dew of heaven from above. 40 By your sword you shall live, And you shall serve your brother; And it shall come to pass, when you become restless, That you shall break his yoke from your neck." (Genesis 27:38-40).
8. Esau is Edom. 9...Esau the father of the Edomites (Genesis 36:8-9).
Many of the descendants of Esau are modern Turks, whereas others seemed to have intermingled with the Arabs.
History shows us that a good portion of Esua/Edom finally settled in the land called TURKEY today. (Hunt KM. The Biblical Prophets for Today. iUniverse, 2011, p. 173).
The Turks themselves say that they were a nomadic people who ended up in Turkey when they pushed the Greeks out of that territory. There are also Turks in other Asian lands.
It should be pointed out that Esau's brother was Jacob, was later known as Israel (Genesis 32:28). The part about breaking his brother Jacob's yoke from the neck (Genesis 27:40) happened centuries years ago, but the blessing of greatness for the descendants of Esau seems to have been fulfilled with the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, from the fifteenth until the early 20th (World War I), the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the Middle East and even parts of Europe.
Here is some background from the old Radio Church of God:
Turkey In Prophecy
Abraham had another son, Isaac. Isaac had two sons, twins, named Esau and Jacob. Jacob was the younger and the stronger. These two brothers gave rise to two different nationalities.
"And the Lord said unto Rebeka: 'Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other; and the elder shall serve the younger.' And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came forth ruddy, all over like a hairy mantle"(Gen. 25:23-25).
Esau, the elder, was not properly developed. The lanugo or hair that covers a foetus through the sixth, seventh and eighth months failed to drop off Esau as it does with all normal children. Esau was weaker, not fully developed. His children, of course, did NOT inherit this peculiar characteristic. Esau did not give rise to a different race, but to a different nationality. Esau's children are white, as history proves.
Esau's descendants play a vital part in world affairs today! Where are his descendants?
Notice some of the sons of Esau: Teman, Omar, Amalek (Gen.36:11). These are not Jewish names! Yet some claim that the Jews are the children of Esau. Nothing could be further from the truth — as we shall presently see.
Esau, or Edom, as he is also called, lived southeast of Palestine near Petra. Arab Bedouins live there now. Then where have Esau's children gone?
From the days of Nebuchadnezzar, who carried them captive, they disappear for 1000 years from history. Then suddenly we find Amalek the name of a city in Turkestan in Central Asia (from Paul Herrmann's SIEBEN VORBEI UND ACHT VERWEHT, p.451). The Egyptians used to call the Amalekites Amu. In Turkestan is the River Amu today! In Bible times the Edomites inhabited Mt.Seir (Gen.32:4). In Turkestan is the Syr Darya — the River of Syr or Seir.
The leading Turkish tribe is the Ottoman. The prophecies referring to Edom or Esau mention Teman as the leading tribe in these latter days (Obadiah 9). The conclusion is inescapable. The Ottoman Turks are the sons of Teman. Merely the vowels in spelling have been changed over these past millenniums. From Central Asia the Turks or Edomites moved into Asia Minor. That is where Esau's children live today! Turkey controls the "crossway" of the nations — the Dardanelles (Obadiah 14).
How clear, ESAU OR EDOM IS TURKEY today! ... Canaanites have also intermarried into Esau — Turkey today (Gen.26:34) (Hoeh H. The TRUTH about the RACE QUESTION! Plain Truth, July 1957)
The Brother of Jacob
Believe it or not, the Turkish people are directly related to Americans and Britons through Abraham and Isaac.
Turkey can be identified by research in encyclopedias, or history books dealing with the subject, as the descendants of Esau!
Esau was the brother of Jacob and first son of Isaac.
You will read of how the Turks lost their precious birthright in chapter 27 of the book of Genesis.
As shocking as it sounds, these people here were the original birthright peoples, destined by right of birth to become the holders of the richest and most desirable portions of the entirety of this earth!
If you have not read our free booklet, The United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy, then be sure to write for it immediately — it explains and makes clear in Bible history how it came that six percent of the population of the world enjoys fifty percent of its fabulous wealth!
Actually, the entire story climaxes in subterfuge on the part of Rebekah and Jacob who convince the aging and almost totally blind Isaac that the younger brother Jacob was Esau.
After the trickery of the savory meal they made pass for venison, and the skin of a goat on the forearms of Jacob, Isaac said, "Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be everyone that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee!" (Gen. 27:28-29)
Actually, this was nothing more than the fulfillment of a prophecy revealed to Rebekah prior to the birth of the two children. Almighty God allowed human nature, with its innate selfishness, to effect this subterfuge — but it was of His doing and intent all along.
God had said, in answer to Rebekah's earlier question concerning the nearing birth of twins, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people [two totally different kinds of people, two different nations or distinct national types!) shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen. 25:23).
At the end of that chapter is the account of how Jacob gave Esau bread and a pottage of lentils and how Esau despised his birthright — treated it as of no account or value.
Jacob was born with a certain tenacity, a certain ingenuity and inventiveness. Jacob was an individual who would put down roots in the land, develop it, search out its wealth and resources.
Not so with Esau. He became a hunter. He was by nature, a man who would walk over the land, not seeing the tremendous wealth and value of it beneath his feet!
Instead of developing and using the natural resources of the land, he left it as he found it. (Armstrong, Garner Ted. Turkey in Prophecy. Plain Truth, June 1966).
God later changed Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:28).
Although for a while in the latter part of the 20th century, the nation of Turkey was an Israeli ally, Turkey has lately seemed somewhat anti-Israel in a lot of its policies--though it restored diplomatic relations with Israel in 2022, this will not end well.
And while Turkey's relationship with the EU also seems to be a bit more strained recently, this does not mean that it will remain that way.
The Nation of Turkey is NOT Togarmah!
Now, perhaps it should be pointed out that there are people of Turkish descent in places other than Turkey:
Central Asian republics are Islamic. The national composition of these Turkic states are as follows:
• Kazakhstan - 19 million population - 67% Kazakhs, 20% Russian, 13% others
• Kirghizia - 7 million population - 73% Kirghiz, 6% Russian, 14% Uzbeks, 7% others
• Tadjikistan - 10 million population - 85% Tadjiks, Uzbeks 12%, 3% others
• Turkmenia – 6.5 million population - 85% Turkmen, Uzbeks 6%, 5% Russians, 4% others
• Uzbekistan - 33 million population - 84% Uzbeks, 5%Tadjiks, 3% Kazakhs, 3% Russian, 5% others.
Thus, the vast majority of the tribes of Central Asia are Turkic by language and Islamic by religion. Still many others, though in the minority, dwell within Xinjiang province in China (the Uygur - 12 millions – Kevin Sindair, The Forgotten Tribes of China, p. 67), northern Afghanistan, parts of north-west Iran and are basically pastoralists (14 millions), Russia, Mongolia and even Armenia. The majority of Azerbaijanis are racial Turks. Some show a mixture with Caucasoids or Mongoloids. ...
Modern-day Descendants of Edom
Eliphaz:
Teman Ottoman Turks
Omar Central Asia?
Zepho Central Asia?
Gatam Central Asia?
Kenaz Central Asia? Amalek Gog in Central Asia
Reuel:
Nahath Middle East?
Zerah Middle East?
Shammah Middle East?
Mizzah Middle East?
Jehush Central Asia?
Jaalam Central Asia?
Korah Kirghiz (Central Asia)
(White C. Where are the Edomites Today. Draft 2023)
Most, if not all, of these look like they will align with Russia in the end times.
Protestants prophecy watchers have tried to tie, not them, but the nation of Turkey in with Togarmah in Ezekiel 38.
Notice one such item:
Who is involved?
The Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy contains some obscure names as villains: Gog from the land of Magog, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah.
If you’re like me, you want to know who these people or nations are. Therefore, let me recommend this article by author Joel C. Rosenberg as well as the research of author Mark Hitchcock in his book, “101 Answers to the Most Asked Questions About the End Times.”
According to Hitchcock and Rosenberg, here are the modern identities of the ancient people and cities referenced in Ezekiel 38-39:
| Ancient Name: |
Modern Name: |
| Gog |
Russian leader |
| Magog |
Russia |
| Persia |
Iran |
| Ethiopia |
Sudan |
| Libya |
Libya and Algeria |
| Gomer and Beth-togarmah |
Turkey |
https://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/laura-lacey-johnson/why-the-russia-turkey-iran-alliance-could-be-more-disturbing-than-you-think.html accessed 09/10/18
The above list is mostly right.
But it errs about the nation of Turkey.
Notice the location of Togarmah according to Ezekiel 38:
6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you. (Ezekiel 38:6)
Togarmah seems to point to northern Russia, such as Siberia.
Russia and Siberia are in the FAR NORTH. Turkey is not. It is in the Middle East. Other Turkish dominated lands are also not in the far north.
While Turkish peoples could be involved in Ezekiel 38, the nation of Turkey is NOT Togarmah.
Breaking Israel News (BIN) reported the following:
Turkey: Angel of Peace Ally of the West or Satanic Source of Gog and Magog?
October 6, 2019
Turkish tanks are grinding across the border into Syria with the intent to crush the Kurdish forces who have allied with the U.S. in its fight against ISIS. Viewed through a political lens, Turkey presents a murky image of a finicky ally of the U.S. but when viewed with the eyes of prophecy, Turkey’s role as a leader in the Gog and Magog pre-Messiah War comes into clear focus. …
It is All About Religion
“Most Americans do not understand Turkey and prefer to stick their heads in the sand,” Professor Mordechai Kedar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Arabic at Bar-Ilan University, told Breaking Israel News, pointing out that Turkey’s role in the regional power structure cannot be underestimated as it hosts the largest military in NATO second only to the U.S.
“Ideologically they are absolutely an enemy of the U.S,” Kedar said succinctly. “Erdogan is part of the Muslim Brotherhood and, for him, America is the Big Satan. Practically, they play as if they are friends of the West. Despite being members of NATO, they have never and will never take any role, even indirectly, in any actions against another Muslim nation.”
Dr. Kedar noted that despite seeing the U.S.as an enemy and buying Russian military hardware, Turkey is no friend of Moscow.
“They side with Russia because Russia does not hesitate to twist their arms, threaten, or follow through with those threats,” Dr. Kedar said, explaining that the only motivation for Erdogan is religion.
“Erdogan sees himself as a leader in the Sunni Islamic world and his actions are focused or restoring the Ottoman hegemony.”
Erdogan and Gog and Magog
Erdogan’s Islamic aspirations may go even further, placing him at the head of the multinational armies of Gog and Magog. Modern-day Turkey was once the Ottoman Empire that ruled over much of the world for over six hundred years. But in Biblical terms, Turkey is known as the location of Mount Ararat, the resting place of Noah’s ark. That region was settled by the descendants of Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth. His descendants formed the nations of Meshech, Tubal, Beth-togarmah, and Gomer, all found in what is now modern Turkey. All of these nations were listed by Ezekiel as being part of the Gog and Magog alliance against Israel.
O mortal, turn your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him… Among them shall be Persia, Nubia, and Put, everyone with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its cohorts, Beth-togarmah [in] the remotest parts of the north and all its cohorts—the many peoples with you. Ezekiel 38:2-6
Rabbi Yekutiel Fish, an expert in Jewish mysticism who blogs in Hebrew under the title ‘Sod Chashmal,’ cited the Aramaic translation of the Bible written by Jonathan Ben Uziel, who studied under Hillel the Elder during the time of Roman-ruled Judea and his commentary on the verse in the Book of Numbers.
Ships come from the quarter of Kittim; They subject Assyria, subject Eber. They, too, shall perish forever. Numbers 24:24
“Jonathan Ben Uziel explains that this prophecy describes how Gog will come out of Constantinople, which was the capital city of the Roman Empire but is now called Istanbul and is one of the major cities in Turkey,” Rabbi Fish explained. “He goes on to say that Italy will join forces with Gog and Magog. He goes on to say that after they join forces, the Moshiach (Messiah) will come and destroy whatever remains of the Turks.” https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/138157/turkey-angel-peace-ally-west-satanic-source-gog-magog/
No, Turkey is not about to the start of the “war of Gog and Magog.” Turkey is not functioning as the Satanic source of Gog and Magog. Add, as discussed earlier, Turkey is NOT biblical Togarmah.
If the USA and its British-descended allies be be defined as the West (see also Who is the King of the West?), then Turkey is not prophesied to remain an ally.
Regarding Ezekiel 38, Gog, and Magog, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Here is a link to the sermonette video: Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?
Ezekiel 38 is NOT for our time. Nor is it a prophecy about the Messiah destroying the Turks as Yekutiel Fish asserted.
Now, what about the teaching that Numbers 24:24 is a Turkish battle?
That is a major misunderstanding by Yekutiel Fish.
Notice the following from Numbers 24:
14 … Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days. (Numbers 24:14, NKJV)
24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, And so shall Amalek, until he perishes. (Numbers 24:24, NKJV)
24 But ships will come from the direction of Kittim, troubling Asshur and troubling Eber, and like the others their fate will be destruction. (Numbers 24:24. Bible in Basic English, BBE)
24 And — ships [are] from the side of Chittim, And they have humbled Asshur, And they have humbled Eber, And it also for ever is perishing.’ (Numbers 24:24, Young’s Literal Translation)
24 Sea-Peoples, raiders from across the sea, will harass Asshur and Eber, But they’ll also come to nothing, just like all the rest. (Numbers 24:24, The Message).
24 And ships shall come from the coast of Kittim (Cyprus), and shall afflict Asshur (Assyria), and shall afflict ‘Ever (i.e., Region beyond the River [Euphrates]), and he also shall be unto destruction. (Numbers 24:24, Orthodox Jewish Bible, OJB)
Numbers 24:24 is not a prophecy related Gog or Magog.
Now, let’s see the following commentary from the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:
24. ships shall come … Kittim] ships from the side of Kittim. The clause has no verb, and, if the text is right, it must form the subject of the following verb ‘shall afflict,’ the intervening ‘and’ being disregarded. … Asshur will itself be destroyed by invaders from the west. There is, however, no support for this in history,
Yes, a western-based naval force is being discussed. And yes, Numbers 24:24 was not fulfilled in history as it is part of a prophecy for the future as Numbers 24:14 clearly points out.
Anyway, would not it seem that Constantinople is a “western land,” hence Numbers 24:24 should not be interpreted like Jonathan Ben Uziel and Yekutiel Fish have seemingly done.
The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) also put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to the prophesied naval conflict in Numbers which is also discussed in the 11th chapter of the Book of Daniel:
18:50
Europe is in the process of building up its own military through the Permanent Structured Cooperation agreement commonly called PESCO. Is Europe trying to develop an empire? What did former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt say about the need for a European empire? Are Europeans, as well as the Vatican’s Pope Francis, working towards a European utopia? Is war coming? Will Europe’s plans result in a Mediterranean maritime conflict with the United States of America? Does Daniel 11:30 tell of such a conflict? Is this consistent with a latter days prophecy in Numbers 24? Is the King of the North European? Do Catholic writings confirm the view that there will be a negative naval encounter coming between Europe and the USA or its British-descended allies? Could the prophesied conflict be a trigger for a false declaration of peace and safety as foretold in 1 Thessalonians 5:3?
Here is a link to our video: A US naval conflict with Europe is prophesied.
Believe the Bible and its prophecies. NOT the view of Jewish, Messianic Jewish, or Protestant teachers when they are in conflict with scripture.
Turkey, along with Various Arabs, Will Apparently Align With the European Power for a Time
Being in the EU is something that Turkey has long wanted. And this desire preceded the current EU. Turkey became an associate member of the old European Economic Community in 1963, joined the old EU Customs Union in 1995 and started accession negotiations with the European Union in 2005. But issues remain.
My wife and I have been to Turkey on three occasions and really have enjoyed it and the Turkish people. When we discussed the EU with some Turks, basically we were told that the average Turk had little interest in the EU, but some of the political leaders were determined to move in that direction.
Notice also the following:
21 Sept 2013
Turkey 'will probably never be EU member'
Turkey will probably never become a member of the European Union because of stiff opposition and "prejudiced" attitudes from current members, a senior Turkish minister has admitted. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/10325218/Turkey-will-probably-never-be-EU-member.html viewed 09/23/13)
The above leader (Egemen Bagis, minister for European Union) indicated, however, that Turkey may end up with a relationship to the EU similar to Norway.
But more in Europe are opposed to Turkey joining the EU:
September 5, 2017
Having blasted Germany for "abetting terrorists," Turkish president Edrogan was on the receiving end of some ire this weekend as the refugee crisis and the EU deal with Turkey dominated the TV debate between Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition ally SPD challenger Martin Schulz ...
"If I become German chancellor, if the people of this country give me a mandate, then I will propose to the European Council that we end the membership talks with Turkey. Now all red lines are crossed, so this country can no longer become a member of the EU,”said Schulz during the debate, forcing the CDU leader to clarify her position on the issue.
“The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU,” said Merkel, agreeing with Schulz.
“I’ll speak to my [EU] colleagues to see if we can reach a joint position on this so that we can end these accession talks,” added Merkel, who is hoping to get re-elected for a fourth term.
As RT notes, the government in Ankara is moving away from democratic principles at a “breathtaking” speed, Merkel said, adding that at the moment “the accession negotiations are non-existent.”
However, she refused to completely freeze the relationship with Turkey. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-09-04/merkel-schulz-agree-its-clear-turkey-should-not-become-eu-member
EU accession for Turkey is effectively over. Negotiations that began in 2005 may be soon declared dead, and the government – or, better said, regime – of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is responsible. Turkey has neither met EU requirements nor appears anywhere close to doing so. Turkey's April referendum effectively turned the state into an autocracy, thereby ending the possibility of joining Europe's community of democratic states. This much is clear based on regular EU reporting. ...
Turkey's rule of law has deteriorated since the failed coup one year ago ...
Last week, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in Brussels that Turkey had already taken huge steps away from Europe, making membership impossible. An official decision to expel Turkey from talks could come as early as this weekend's foreign ministers' meeting or at an EU summit at the end of October. Making good on the unavoidable would be a dramatic turn of events after 12 years: slamming the door to the EU on Turkey.
Juncker had previously warned that Erdogan will have good reason to blame the EU for the failure. However, that would not make the damage any worse. An end to accession talks could also be an end to financial support for accession. ...
An end to EU accession talks would be painful, but not the end to all relations with Turkey. However, it is clear that Turkey is not a European state with respect to Article 49 of the Lisbon Treaty, which outlines accession. Holding Turkey's feet to the fire could be a lesson for other member candidates, such as in the Balkans. Should Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia or Kosovo stray from EU membership criteria, the process can be reversed for them, as well. 09/04/17 http://www.dw.com/en/can-merkel-push-the-eu-towards-a-new-turkey-policy/a-40360392
Since the current leadership of Turkey seems a little less pro-Western lately, it may be that little will happen with Turkey as far as being a nation to fully join the EU for some time--instead it will look elsewhere. (More on Turkey can also be found in the video What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy.)
On a video published by the Octavian Report on November 15, 2017 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTL_CgBwmxo around minute 38), Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg stated:
Turkey currently has lost ANY perspective for European membership, European Union membership.
Notice the following put out decades ago by the old Worldwide Church of God:
King David of ancient Israel, in a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the coming Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations — a vast confederacy bound together in an effort to crush out the name "Israel" from the face of the earth! This Arab-Moslem confederacy may very well be the previously mentioned "king of the south" of Daniel 11 — a sphere of power encompassing vast portions of the Islamic world. "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation] and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan] and the Hagarenes [anciently these people dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinian Arabs] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen [helped] the children of Lot [Jordan and western Iraq]" (Psalms 83:4-8). ...
Mideast Invaded
But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived. As shown earlier, the "king of the north" of Daniel 11 — the leader of the German-led European union — will ultimately turn against the Arab "king of the south," with disastrous consequences for the entire Middle East — both Jew and Arab alike. The entire region will be subjected to armed invasion! Europe's ire could well be precipitated by a cutoff of vital oil' supplies by the Arabs. Whatever the provocation, Europe will act swiftly to protect its interests — sending troops into the Middle East!
"Daniel 11:40-41: "And the king of the north shall come against him [the king of the south] like a whirlwind ... and he shall enter into the countries.... He shall enter also into the glorious land [Palestine], and many countries [Arab countries of the Middle East] shall be overthrown...." The modern State of Israel will be conquered. Jerusalem will be besieged and taken. The prophet Zechariah also speaks of this capture of Jerusalem, revealing that eventually half the city will be taken into captivity by the European power (14:1-2). In addition, Daniel's prophecy specifically mentions that Egypt will be conquered by the German-led European forces. ...
The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the face of invasion. Some of its component countries will be directly occupied by European troops. However, as revealed in Daniel 11:41, Jordan (the present-day descendants of Moab and Ammon) and Turkey (Edom) will escape occupation. Other Arab countries may also avoid full occupation, possibly remaining in some sort of limited alliance with United Europe. "Libya" (or Put, the North African Arabs) along with " Ethiopia" (or Cush, certain black African nations) shall be "at his [the king of the north's] steps" — or "following him" as some translations render it. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 9-10).
Notice the first part of a prophecy:
2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
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.” (Psalms 83:2-4)
Taking "crafty counsel" sounds like plotting terrorism (see also Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied?). Enemies will conspire against ‘Israel.’ Who is that 'Israel'?
Well, most people do not understand is that Israel said concerning Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh:
16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil,
Bless the lads;
Let my name be named upon them,
And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Genesis 48:16)
Having Israel's name being put on them makes those lads prophetically 'Israel'! One of those “lads” (Manasseh) represents the USA (for more details, see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). And notice that the plan in Psalm 83 is to get rid of that nation.
Now, let’ notice more from the prophecy in Psalm 83:
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 83:5-8)
The ‘who’ that have consulted together and agreed to the conspiracy against the USA (and its British-descended allies) includes Turkey.
Psalm 83 is discussing an alliance involving Arab, Turkish, and European nations to make a destructive deal.
Notice that the Bible indicates that the Turks (who are not Arabs, but seem to be Edom/Teman in scripture) will make a deal with the rising European power (Assyria above), along with the Arabs and Turkey (Psalm 83). But since Edom seems to escape 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 for a short while.
Psalm 83 shows a deal between the Arabs, Turks, and Europeans (called Assyrians in Psalm 83) to destroy end time Israel. Which according to prophecies in Genesis 48, Daniel 11:39, Jeremiah 30:9, Isaiah 10:5-12, includes the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel and USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses and Germany in Biblical Prophecy).
Greco-Roman Catholic and Other Prophecies
Perhaps it should be mentioned that there are many Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies that indicate that the Turks will become 'Catholic':
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, Greco-Roman Catholic prophecy indicates that Turkey will ultimately align with the coming compromised "Catholic" beast power. 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)--as this is when the Islamic "Mahdi's" forces will apparently be defeated. Turkey will at first support the King of the South and then the King of the North according to prophecies in Daniel 11. Certain Catholic writings are consistent with that.
The idea that the Turks will be some type of 'Catholic' is consistent with the following:
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:1-8)
Yes, Turkey, for a time, will support the Beast.
Interestingly, notice the following Roman Catholic prophecy about betrayal:
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).
Dionysius of Luxemberg (died 1682): a. “After the birth of Antichrist the people of the world will be very wicked and godless … The churches will be dreary and empty like deserted barns … From the midst of His Church He will raise up a Christian ruler who will perform most remarkable deeds. 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 p.84).
The "Great Arab" is probably supposed to represent the Mahdi/Caliph, the final King of the South. The Turks currently control Byzantium and have for many centuries. Dionysius of Luxemberg seems to be saying that the Turks will betray an Islamic empire.
Hence, Catholic prophecy indicates that Turkey will betray the Islamic Arabic power. In the Bible, Daniel 11:25-26 is quite clear that an ally of the King of the South will betray the King of the South:
25 "He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. (Daniel 11:25-26)
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. Many events will not turn out well in the Arab World for a time--watch also the video War is Coming Between Europeans and Arabs.
Probably sometime after this, Islamic Asian nations, like Indonesia, will likely align with China and others in Asia and turn against the Europeans (for details, see Asia in Prophecy).
It may be of interest to note that there is an annual celebration for Mary in the area near Ephesus (in Turkey) 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 (see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).
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).
Turkey, Gold, and Sanctions
Turkey has issues with the USA and its dollar.
It took steps to move away from the US dollar BEFORE certain sanctions were announced that have affected it as the following shows:
March 13, 2018
Russia, China and Turkey have each materially increased their gold reserves in recent years. ... Russia's reasons for buying so much gold is akin to those of China, Turkey and smaller countries such as Kazakhstan. Gold gives each of these countries independence from the US dollar amid financial sanctions, trade wars and ongoing posturing by the West. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-13/hungarys-gold-repatriation-adds-growing-protest-against-us-dollar-hegemony
Is Gold Repatriation A Trend? Turkey Gets Its Reserves Back From The U.S. – Reports
April 20, 2018
Turkey joined the ranks of Germany and Hungary as the latest country which brought back its gold to home base, this according to reports from the country’s media.
Reports from Turkish media outlet Yeni Safak suggest that the country brought back all of its gold stored in the U.S. Federal Reserve. The reports published Thursday indicate that the country repatriated 220 tons of from the U.S. sometime last year. At the time of publication, Kitco News was unable to confirm the news.
The country’s gold reserves currently rank eleventh in the world, behind India, with about 526 metric tons, according to the data compiled by the The Statistics Portal. As of March 2018, the Turkish central bank said its gold reserves amounted to $25.3 billion.
Analysts told Kitco News that the move is likely politically motivated rather than economic. The consensus being that Turkey is sending a message to the U.S., with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan making currency his priority.
“[Turkey’s decision] has more political intonation than economic,” managing director at RBC Wealth Management George Gero said on Friday. “Turkey is trying to shore up their currency. And I think repatriation has a lot to do with currency pairs trading.”
Earlier this week, Erdogan called for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans to be paid in gold and not U.S. dollars.
Turkish media reported Erdogan as saying, “These debts should be in gold. Because at this point the karat of gold is unlike anything else. The world is continually putting us under currency pressure with the dollar. We need to save states and nations from this currency pressure.” http://www.kitco.com/news/2018-04-20/Is-Gold-Repatriation-A-Trend-Now-Turkey-Wants-Its-Gold-Back-From-The-U-S.html
May 24, 2018
A major blind spot in U.S. strategic economic doctrine is the increasing use of physical gold by China, Russia, Iran, Turkey and others both to avoid the impact of U.S. sanctions and create an offensive counterweight to U.S. dominance of dollar payment systems.
This is the Axis of Gold. https://dailyreckoning.com/axis-gold-will-drive-gold-higher-end-2018/
Since Turkey did that, the USA announced tariffs and sanctions that have negatively impacted the Turkish economy (see ‘New US Sanctions Would Be Declaration Of Economic War’ ‘Somebody must find a solution and say ‘stop’ to the United States’). This has further enraged Turkey against the USA.
One Turkish trade stated, "‘Somebody must find a solution and say ‘stop’ to the United States."
US sanctions are tariffs are upsetting many. Here is a related video which also mentions Turkey:
US Sanctions and Tariffs leading to New World Order?
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said new US sanctions would be a declaration of economic war. Iran, North Korea, China, Europe, and Turkey are also upset about USA sanctions and tariffs. A Turk asserted “Somebody must find a solution and stop the USA.” The BRICS nations see US sanctions and tariffs as helpful to their objectives to trade without the USA. Are “unintended consequences” of USA policies threatening the current Anglo-American world order and leading to a New World Order? What has ‘Lord’ Jacob Rothschild and Russian President Vladimir Putin stated? Does Bible prophecy should that a confederation of Turks, Arabs, and Europeans pose a real threat to the USA and UK? Is the final time of the Gentiles coming? Will it be worse than people imagine? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
The USA and its dollar will one day be destroyed (see also Psalm 83:2-8 and Daniel 11:39).
But can Turkey possibly be a factor in the US dollar’s decline?
Notice something from the German press
US dollar on its way out as world’s lead currency?
16 August 2018
If the stability of a currency is entirely linked to the confidence in the issuer of the currency, then it does not look good for the US dollar. In Washington, US President Donald Trump appears to be busy fighting against the rest of the world.
His administration has kick-started a fierce trade conflict with China and other countries by slapping on tariffs and engaging in protectionist rhetoric.
In recent weeks, Trump has also picked quarrels with Russia and Turkey. But the two are striking back by hitting Washington where it hurts. Both Moscow and Ankara are questioning the global role of the US dollar. …
The US Federal Reserve has always supported the dollar’s role as the leader of the world’s currencies and provided sufficient liquidity, which has been a factor in ensuring its dominance. …
Russia and Turkey have announced that they want to return to national currencies in international trade — they want to avoid the detour via the dollar.
If other countries agree, the dollar could become less dominant in global trade in future, say some observers. https://www.dw.com/en/us-dollar-on-its-way-out-as-worlds-lead-currency/a-45111800
Many US policies are pushing the Gentile nations to come up with something that the USA will not like.
While the USA may seem to be ‘winning’ in aspects of this for now, that will change.
The world is getting more and more upset with USA policies. Europe will make deals with Russia and China and others.
Even the impact from Turkey may help lead to this.
USA sanctions and other policies are likely to be many factors to get Turkey to support the destruction of the USA per Psalm 83.
Turkey and the Europeans
But what will happen with Turkey?
Before going further, let me state that the Protestant prophecy writer Joel Richardson's view that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may be the final Antichrist of biblical prophecy is in error (see Richardson: Rebirth of the Turkish Caliphate — and why it matters). Joel Richardson has various misunderstandings of biblical prophecy that I have addressed in the article Can the Final Antichrist be Islamic? as well as in the sermon Is the Final Antichrist Islamic or European? and the sermonette Mystery Babylon USA, Mecca, or Rome? for those who want more information about what the Bible says lies ahead.
As far as Turkey goes, it will, however, support a coming confederation of nations in the Islamically-dominated lands of North Africa and the Middle East. Yet, it will also keep some ties to Europe. The leader of the coming 'Islamic' confederation will be AN Antichrist, but biblically carries the title the King of the South (Daniel 11:40):
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. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. (Daniel 11:40-42).
The above shows that Turkey (Edom) escapes what will happen from the European King of the North.
As far as the King of the South goes, Bible prophecy shows that Turkey will support such a leader, to a degree. Groups like the Muslim Brotherhood want a confederation of Islamic nations similar to one that the Bible prophecies. Although Turkey was the last power to lead a massive Islamic caliphate, it is NOT prophesied to lead the coming King of the South. This will apparently be some type of an Arab, like an Egyptian (cf. Ezekiel 30:2-8).
So, what will happen to Turkey?
Well, expect Turkey to both cooperate with and distance itself from Europe.
When the final King of the South rises up, expect Turkey to look like it will support it.
Yet, the Bible in Daniel 11:25-26 is quite clear that an ally of the King of the South will betray the King of the South and this appears to be Turkey.
Recall that the prophecy in Daniel 11:40-43 shows that Turkey (Edom) will escape the wrath of the European King of the North. Let me add that Ezekiel 30:2-12 shows that Egypt and its allies, including Arabs, will be destroyed by the final European/Babylonian leader, which Daniel 11:40 calls the King of the North. But those verses in Ezekiel 30 do NOT mention Turkey getting destroyed at that time (this will happen later to Turkey, see What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy). That is consistent then with Turkey ultimately betraying the King of the South and cooperating with the King of the North.
Right now we are seeing Turkey distancing itself from Europe. This is expected as Turkey will, to a degree, later (temporarily) align itself with the coming King of the South. Yet, Turkey will not completely break ties with Europe (even though many may think that is what is happening). When push really comes to shove, Turkey will betray the King of the South.
Turkey Will Have Problems
The Bible shows that Turkey will later have problems.
Notice something from the old Radio Church of God:
Turkey, forgotten and ignored in much of world news today, is destined to become important in world affairs! Bible prophecy shows a strange and bizarre future for this important nation at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. ...
Turkey in Prophecy
Turn to the thirty-fourth chapter of Isaiah. In the first few verses, God says His indignation is upon ALL the armies of the earth, and that ALL earthly armies shall be utterly destroyed! And then, He says in verse 5, "For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea [Edom), and upon the people of my curse [or the people of my ban, margin), to judgment."
And this prophecy is dated. In verse 8, God says, "For it is the day of the Eternal's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion!"
Now notice Ezekiel 25. God says, "Thus saith the Lord Eternal; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; therefore thus saith the Lord Eternal; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword!" (Ezek. 25:12-13)
But WHY does God pronounce such disastrous calamities for the peoples of Turkey?
Why should Turkey, withits empire gone, its former holdings carved up and distributed among its conquerors, Turkey who remained neutral in World War II, be the recipient of some of the direst of Biblical indictments?
Turn to the book of Obadiah for the answer!
The book of Obadiah is utterly unique among the many prophecies of the Bible. It is a one-page prediction of the entire future history of the nation of Turkey!
Keeping in mind the geographically and geopolitically strategic location of modern Turkey, the most recent history of the Ottoman Empire and twentieth century Turkey, read the book of Obadiah in its true context in this modern time.
"The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord Eternal concerning Edom; we have heard a rumor from the Eternal, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen. Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle."
Who is this "ambassador sent among the heathen"? None other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth!
Remember that major sections of the Bible plainly predict the second coming of Jesus Christ. Though laughable to so many skeptics today, there is nothing more clearly stated in the Bible, time and again, and in the very teaching of Christ Himself, than His imminent return to this sin-sick world to bring peace at last and to RULE this earth with a rod of iron! (Rev. 2:26; 3:21; Micah 4; Isa. 2)
Before proceeding with this vitally important prophecy of the book of Obadiah, turn for a moment to the sixty-third chapter of the book of Isaiah and notice again the time setting of this prophecy.
"Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is GLORIOUS IN HIS APPAREL, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness," comes the answer, "mighty to SAVE."
Plainly this is a prophecy that could refer to NO ONE, except Jesus Christ Himself!
Notice again the setting. First, the question comes from peoples as if with one voice, "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?" And the answer is given — One who is glorious in apparel, who travels in the greatness of His strength, who speaks in righteousness, and who is mighty to save!
Now let's continue with verse 2 of the sixty-third chapter of Isaiah. "Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine fat?"
And again the answer comes, "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
"For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of MY REDEEMED is come."
Reading this important prophecy in context, beginning from the sixty-second chapter and verse 10, you will see the prophecy concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ: "behold, his reward is with him, and his WORK before him" (Isa. 62:11).
What this predicts for Edom, or modern-day Turkey, then, is just AFTER the return of Jesus Christ.
Now, back to the book of Obadiah. Who then is this "ambassador who is sent among the heathen"?
The "ambassador who is sent among the heathen" is Jesus Christ Himself! Listen, now, to the prophecies concerning modern Turkey. God says, "Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised" (verse 2).
And truly, among the huge Gentile nations of today, Turkey is relatively small and insignificant, though occupying one of the strategic land areas of the earth. Turkey's present population is smaller than that of tiny Britain, though occupying a land area several times greater.
Then follows a series of verses concerning Edom's great pride and arrogance — descriptions of their ancient habitual dwelling places of clefts in the rocks and high habitations.
A striking part of this prophecy is found in verse 6. "How are the things of Esau searched out? how are his hidden things sought up!" And, true to this verse in the book of Obadiah, there is great exploration for oil and natural resources in the nation of Turkey today. Then follows the specific part of the prophecy for this moment.
God says, "All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him." ...
The military occupation and complete desolation of Israel (Palestine) for yet another time in the future is an absolute certainty!
And the prophecies of your Bible say it is THEN at THAT precise time, when perhaps thousands of British, and perhaps some American troops are in and around the area of Palestine, that a bizarre and deceptive move on the part of modern Turkey is going to occur!
Again, turn to the book of Obadiah and read with your own eyes one of the most remarkably detailed prophecies in all the Bible.
God says, "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
"In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive His [Jacob's! those of the United States and Great Britain!) forces, and foreigners entered into his gates [the United States, Great Britain AND Palestine), and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast AS one of them!" (Obadiah 10, 11)
Notice!
Were even "as" one of them! Not literally tied in with the emerging power bloc in Central Europe, not an actual MEMBER nation, but in an agreement or pact with those nations! "Even as" one of them, not actually one of them.
Now see what Turkey will do to unleash the wrath of God upon her in future years!
"But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress!" (Obadiah 12)
It is not only French President Charles de Gaulle who still has dreams of empire! Modern-day Turkey also has its designs and dreams of recapturing some of its past glories.
But with the incredible rebuilding of Israel — the reclamation of land, the reforestation projects, the discovery of minerals and raw materials, and the wealth which is beginning to be amassed there, it will be only logical for
Turkey once again to try to obtain a major portion of the land of Palestine as she once DID obtain it.
And Jesus Christ of Nazareth plainly said such carving up of Israel WILL once more take place!
As unbelievable and incredible as this sounds, Jesus Christ of Nazareth said plainly yet a FUTURE destruction of Jerusalem is to occur!
What a saddening and shocking thing it will be for much of the world to see that what is being done in Israel today is to be destroyed again!
And in that impending destruction thousands of British, and Israelis, and possibly even some Americans will attempt to escape the iron encirclement coming, as Jesus PLAINLY said it would, in Palestine!
Now go on with the dramatically detailed prophecy of the book of Obadiah.
"Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; NEITHER SHOULDEST THOU HAVE STOOD IN THE CROSSWAY, TO CUT OFF THOSE OF HIS THAT DID ESCAPE...." (Obadiah 13, 14)
Even looking at travel folders of this land, it is described as the very "cross-way" or "crossroads" of the world. The natural area into which people would flee in escaping any great confrontation between the East and West in the area of the Middle East, to be specific, Jerusalem, Palestine — would be up through the Cilician Gap into the Taurus mountains of the Anatolian Peninsula.
God says, "Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his [those of Great Britain and the United States, including "Israel," or the Jews) that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress!"
Yes, as staggering and unbelievable as it sounds, one of the major events God points out that will bring His wrath down upon Turkey will be the delivering of thousands of British, American and possibly Israeli refugees into the hands of the "beast" power in Central Europe when the military take-over of Palestine occurs.
Read the rest of that remarkably detailed prophecy.
In verse 17 you find the second coming of Jesus Christ occurring, and the house of Jacob once more restored to the Promised Land.
Destruction of Esau, or Turkey, is again proclaimed in verse 18. And then notice verse 21.
"And SAVIORS shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Eternal's" (Obadiah 21).
Yes, SAVIORS, in the plural.
Remember, Jesus Christ promised any Christian, any person, anywhere, anytime, who will sincerely repent and turn to God, and who will overcome to enter into His Kingdom (Rev. 3:21), CO-RULERSHIP with Him!
This prophecy speaks of more than one Savior standing on Mount Zion, and administering JUDGMENT!
Now turn to Revelation 20 and verse 4. Notice how the apostle John saw "thrones" and they sat upon them, and "judgment was given unto THEM."
Yes, Saviors — more than one!
The impending destruction of modern-day Turkey is immediately after the second coming of Jesus Christ.
That's why the book of Isaiah foretells Jesus Christ leading a van of His returning people right through the land of Turkey!
That's why it describes how His garments are to be dyed red with the blood of thousands of Turks who treacherously turned upon their brother Jacob in his attempt to escape in the day of his calamity. (Isa. 63:1-4)
Not one government leader in any nation existing today even remotely suspects such a fantastic and bizarre chain of circumstances.
And yet Bible prophecies are SURE! They will happen, just as God has said.
Jesus said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).
(Armstrong, Garner Ted. Turkey in Prophecy. Plain Truth, June 1966).
Psalm 83 shows that Turkey will be allied to Europe against the House of Israel and Judah.
Notice something that will happen to it:
“Therefore thus saith the Lord God: ‘I will stretch out Mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword’.” (Ezekiel 25:13)
For some reasons for the punishment, consider 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 Beast power (cf. Isaiah 47:1,8; Revelation 18:1-8; Zechariah 2:6-7). And Turkey apparently will help with and encourage the destruction of Jerusalem/Judea (also captives from that area will apparently be sent to Turkey per Amos 1:6,9). 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.
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 venegance 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)
20 Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them. 21 The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; At the cry its noise is heard at the Red Sea. 22 Behold, He shall come up and fly like the eagle, And spread His wings over Bozrah; The heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs. (Jeremiah 49:20-22)
5 "For My sword shall be bathed in heaven; Indeed it shall come down on Edom, And on the people of My curse, for judgment. 6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, It is made overflowing with fatness, With the blood of lambs and goats, With the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 The wild oxen shall come down with them, And the young bulls with the mighty bulls; Their land shall be soaked with blood, And their dust saturated with fatness." 8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. (Isaiah 34:5-8)
Though, like others, salvation will be available to the Turks. But apparently because of how the Turks are expected to betray the physical nation of Israel (and perhaps also the protected peoples, cf. There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra), God has a special punishment first. More on Turkey can also be found in the video What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy.
Turkey Will Have an Opportunity
Despite what will happen, all is not lost for Turkey.
After all the prophesied battles and punishments, the tribulation will end. And Christ will return:
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30).
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).
This will usher in a kingdom that will be established for 1,000 years:
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).
And people of many nations, including those of the Arab world, will be part of this kingdom:
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).
(An article of related interest may include Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?)
After the thousand years are over, there will be problems, and then all will be resurrected:
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:7-13).
1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you...
14 "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes."
...22 And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD." ' (Ezekiel 38:1-6,14-16, 22-23).
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. ... 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.(Revelation 20:5,12)
It is important to note that all remaining are judged at the second resurrection, but not all are condemned. However, prior to the second resurrection, apparently a Russian-led confederation (which will include Iranians and perhaps some Arabs) will rebel and attempt to attack God's people (apparently in Jerusalem)--but they will not be successful (see also Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?). They will be destroyed, but will be raised in the second resurrection.
When is Salvation Available to the Turkish Peoples?
The mainstream "Christian" view correctly teaches that there is salvation in no other than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12), as "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (vs.12).
But what happens to the multitudes in the Turkish world who have not heard the truth of Christ? What happens to those who do not respond to Deuteronomy 4:29-31 or the two witnesses? And what happens to those born before Christ's earthly ministry? Recall that the Bible teaches that after Adam sinned, humankind was blocked from the tree of life as God had it guarded so that humans would not be able to access it on their own (Genesis 3:22-24).
Even the basic Protestant view is that unless one professes belief in Jesus prior to the first death, then salvation will be unavailable. It is perhaps because of the difference between this view and that of the Church of God, that Protestants tend to label Church of God groups as cults.
The Church of God teaches that God is only calling a relatively few during this age with the Day of Pentecost (also called the Day of Firstfruits, Numbers 28:26) partially explaining this. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18).
Jesus and the Church of God teach,
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him (John 6:44).
14 For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14).
Protestants and Catholics tend to feel, correctly, that God uses ministers to preach (Romans 10:14). Yet, the message is not always clear. In Isaiah 6:9-11 God teaches,
9"Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10 Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." 11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate".
In other words, the bulk of the people are not to understand until after a time of great desolation.
Thus, is God going to condemn those for what He has not let them understand?
Protestant and Roman Catholic theology tends to say yes.
Those in the Continuing Church of God say no.
Unless the someone has committed the unpardonable sin (which is unlikely) they will be judged in the future.
Hence, those in the Muslim world are not condemned to suffer forever for what they really do not understand.
Other Prophecies Which Will Affect the Turks
Those who were uncalled in this age (including the vast majority of humans of all ethnic groups, including those that have long been dead) will be offered an opportunity for salvation.
And nearly all of them will accept it. The Continuing Church of God teaches that God will ultimately give every individual an opportunity for salvation--and that nearly every individual will accept that opportunity.
This means that ultimately that nearly all Turks and others who have ever lived will be in the permanent kingdom of God. Notice that the Bible clearly shows that this includes the Turks:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O Lord. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalms 83:6-7; 16-18)
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4).
God has a plan for those in the Islamic-dominated lands and it is better than what most in them seem to believe (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9).
Conclusion About Turkey in Prophecy
The Turkish peoples were promised greatness in the Bible. For hundreds of years they had major historical prominence.
Turkey will temporarily support the King of the South, then the King of the North.
Just because the whole world (and not just the Turks) will be temporarily deceived by the rising European Beast power, you do not have to be. Hopefully this article has given you some reasons to look at the world and your life and will motivate to come to God now on His terms. To learn more about what happened to Christianity, a good place to start may be The History of Early Christianity page. May God call you today and grant you the understanding so that you will "pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Yet, because most in the Arab world (as well as the non-Arab world) do not truly strive now to know the true God, God will punish them as well as the other inhabitants on the Earth.
However, since God is a God of love, He intends to resurrect the Arabs/Turks/Persians and offer them salvation. A salvation that nearly all will accept as nearly all the Arabs who ever lived will be in the Kingdom of God. A kingdom without fear or death or sorrow. A glorious kingdom. And that is the prophesied future for nearly all of the Turks and others.
For more information on the good news for Turkey and others, check out the following:
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to four related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? Two related sermons are available Millennial Utopia and The Millennium.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2030 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity's reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
Thiel B. Turkey in Prophecy. COGwriter (c) 2017/2018/2019 /2020 / 2021 /2022/ 2023 0528 http://www.cogwriter.com/turkey-in-prophecy.htm