p. 5 | The Eastern Question by W. A. Colcord

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1908

The Eastern Question

By W. A. Colcord

UNDER the heading, “Scenes of Many Wars,” there appeared in the Washington Post, of Oct. 12, 1908, an article upon the subject of Turkey and the present European situation. In this article, Turkey is referred to as “the sick man on the Bosporus.” The following paragraphs, taken from this article, are significant, and, to the careful student of prophecy, especially of the latter portion of the prophecy of Daniel and portions of the book of Revelation, they make very interesting reading:—

Again the public gaze is directed to the southeast of Europe, the dark corner from which much trouble has come in the past, and which place—representing a mixture between Orient and Occident—has always been regarded as the most probable source of international war. . . .

After the Turks invaded Europe, many hundreds of years ago, advanced victoriously toward Central Europe, and only slowly lost their grip upon some of the conquered lands, Turkey fell gradually into a stage of decay, from which it hardly ever will rise. As a matter of fact, Turkey has held its shaky position longer than many great statesmen expected—held only, though, by the other powers, similar to a rock standing on edge, and held in balance by opposing forces around it.

While the Young Turk party, or the Modernists in Turkey, may, in the course of time, be able to improve conditions, it is doubtful whether the time at their disposal, should they get full sway, would be sufficient to enable them to strengthen Turkey before the inevitable crash comes which will throw all Europe into a turmoil, and force the Turks back to Asia, to where, as ancient superstition tells them, they will eventually be forced to retreat.

The tension has been great in the Balkans for many decades, and nears the climax, although a general war may again be averted this time.

While much, regarding peace, depends on Turkey’s attitude and self-control as to Bulgaria’s recent step, an understanding may be reached; but

should Servia continue—of its own accord, or influenced by others (which is more likely)—in its present hostile attitude toward Austria-Hungary, or should it be imprudent enough to force Austria to take serious notice of its small sword-rattling neighbor, then the great European war is at hand, as hostilities between these countries would not be the only serious consequences. . . .

The seat of trouble is not the residence of the new “czar” of Bulgaria, nor that of the king of Servia, but is at the door of those governments which influence these small potentates, seemingly to act for themselves, but actually only to clear the highways—and not the least byways—for their policies and for their desires for extension of spheres of interest, and for future annexation of those which at present they use as trick cards in their games.

These statements are indeed significant. They indicate what we, for years, through the study of prophecy, have held,—that the driving of Turkey out of Europe and the drying up of this power would be the signal for general war and the great time of trouble. Although “a general war may again be averted,” still those who are giving study or serious attention to the situation among the nations as it really is, can not shake off the impression that ultimately such a war is inevitable, and that the question of its time centers in the fate of Turkey.

The statement that “Turkey has held its shaky position longer than many great statesmen expected,” shows how the winds of strife have been held in check, as described in Rev. 7: 1-4. And that it has been “held only, though, by the other powers, similar to a rock standing on edge, and held in balance by opposing forces around it,” likewise indicates that when these powers cease to give to Turkey their support, it will be driven from Europe, and will finally come to its end, as foretold in Dan. 11: 45.

Referring to the recent losses of provinces in European Turkey, the Post, of October 9, said:—

The Ottoman empire has lost Bulgaria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Crete within a week. It can expect no effective help from the powers.

This, again, is only a forecast of the time when this power “shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” And this, as we know, will be the signal that the time has come for all earthly governments to be brought to an end, and Christ to receive the kingdom, and begin his reign. In this mighty transition comes the “time of trouble” such as never was, which leads up to the coming of Christ, the pouring out of the plagues, the resurrection of the righteous dead, and the binding of Satan. Of this time, upon which we are soon to enter, the Scriptures have spoken in graphic language; the spirit of prophecy, likewise, has given us the following description:—

I was shown the inhabitants of the earth, in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land. As these things surrounded God’s people, they began to press together, and to cast aside their little difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled them; deep humility took its place. Suffering, perplexity, and privation caused reason to resume its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable man became sane, and acted with discretion and wisdom.

My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men’s hearts failed them for fear, “and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”

The unbelieving world will soon have something to think of besides their dress and appearance; and as their minds are torn from these things by distress and perplexity, they will have nothing to turn to. They are not prisoners of hope, and therefore do not turn to the Stronghold. Their hearts will fail them for repining and fear. They have not made God their refuge, and he will not be their consolation then, but will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, pages 268, 269.

Notwithstanding the great preparations being made by all nations for war, and the prevailing fear that war is impending, it is strange how many still dream of disarmament and a time of universal peace. Thus an editorial in the Washington Post, of Sunday, Oct. 11, 1908, on “Russia and Constantinople,” closes with the following words:—

When the prophecy of Isaiah shall be fulfilled throughout the world,—“And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, . . . neither shall they learn war any more,”—then Constantinople, like a ripe pear, will fall into the lap of Russia. But as yet the sword is regnant.

But this, we know, is but an idle dream, a delusive hope, and a misunderstanding of the prophecy of Isaiah. The prophecy in Isaiah 2 simply tells what many people will say in the last days, not what they will do. The prophecy of Joel 3 tells what they will do,—prepare war, wake up the mighty men, beat their plowshares into swords, and their pruning-hooks into spears, and assemble for war.

We are certainly living in most solemn and interesting times. But while we are soon to enter the most awful time this world has ever seen, one thought brightens the prospect and cheers the heart, and that is that this time will be short, and that it will usher in the most glorious time the people of God have ever experienced. They will then see Jesus, who has redeemed them; meet loved ones from whom they have long been parted; enter upon that rest that remains to the people of God, the grand millennial Sabbath in heaven above; and bask in the sight of him in whose presence there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Shall we not, then, as we see these things coming to pass, give heed to the injunction to lift up our eyes and rejoice, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh? W. A. COLCORD.