Turkey in the Light of Prophecy by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 14, 1912

Turkey in the Light of Prophecy

By Arthur G. Daniells

From the press reports and editorials in the newspapers and magazines it is evident that the terrible conflict of the last fortnight between Turkey and the Balkan allies is commanding the serious attention of the civilized world.

Our people are especially interested in this struggle because of its bearing on the future of Turkey and the further development of the Eastern question.

The interest that is felt and the inquiries that are being raised seem to call for a restatement of the views we have held for more than a half-century regarding the future of Turkey and what will follow her loss of empire in Europe.

Turkey as a nation occupies a prominent place with other nations in the prophecies of the Scriptures. Its rise and marvelous triumphs as a world power are clearly foretold in the ninth chapter of the book of Revelation. Its character and its methods of procedure are also outlined. And in that great chain of prophecy recorded in the eleventh chapter of Daniel, which gives an outline of the world's history from the Medo-Persian empire to the end of time, Turkey holds an important place. This prophecy foretells the overthrow of Persia by Grecia. It tells of the division of Greece into four parts at first, and later of the two kings, which are described as the king of the north and the king of the south. The kingdom of the south was that of Ptolemy in Egypt, south of Palestine. The kingdom of the north was that of Seleucus, extending from Persia in the east, through Asia Minor, to Greece and Macedonia, north and west of Palestine.

As far as we are able to understand the specifications of this great line of prophecy, it appears that to the close of the prophecy the king of the north and the king of the south must be those nations which in the course of the time covered by the prophecy may at any time occupy these territories north and south of Palestine.

After years of wars, revolutions, and changes, the Turks came into possession of nearly all that territory originally occupied by the king of the north, and thus became the king of the north. It was during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries that the Ottoman Turks extended their conquests over Asia Minor and eastern Europe. At the close of the fifteenth century Turkey ruled from Persia to Austria, and from the Black Sea to Upper Egypt, and as far west as Algeria, with a territorial area of two

million square miles, and a population of fifty millions of people.

It is at or near the zenith of its power and glory that Turkey comes into the prophecy of Daniel as the king of the north. The prophecy of Revelation foretells the rise and development of the Turkish empire, and the prophecy of Daniel its downfall and extinction.

The king of the north and the king of the south are both reintroduced in Daniel's prophecy at the close of the French Revolution. They are said to be in conflict with that power which represents France, and by the help of other powers they are both represented as holding their ground. After this the king of the south is not mentioned, but of the king of the north it is said: “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” Dan. 11:45.

This foretells the fall and extinction of the king of the north. At the time this specification of the prophecy has its application, the king of the north is Turkey. According to this, what have we to look for in the career of Turkey after the revolution that occurred in France a little more than one hundred years ago?—Her disintegration and fall.

The history of Turkey shows that she began to lose her power, prestige, and possessions about the time of the French Revolution. As early as 1783 Russia took from Turkey the Crimea and all the country eastward to the Caspian Sea. In 1787 Turkey took up arms against Russia to recover this territory, but failed. Speaking of this event, the Standard Encyclopedia says:—

The Eastern question, as far as concerns Turkey, was now fairly begun.

From that time on to the present Turkey has been steadily losing her possessions. Greece was lost by the establishment of her independence in 1828. Algeria, with her 5,000,000 people, was taken by France in 1830. Egypt, with 6,000,000 became independent in 1867. In the same year Servia and Bosnia, with a population of 3,500,000, were lost. In 1878 the treaty of Berlin recognized the independence of Bulgaria and Roumelia, with 3,000,000; Roumania, with 5,000,000; Montenegro, with 250,000; and only one year ago Tripoli, with 2,000,000, was taken by Italy.

And now the reports come to us that Albania and Macedonia, with a population of about 6,000,000, have been wrested from Turkey in the fearful struggle that is still going on.

Thus during the last century Turkey has lost all her possessions in Africa and Europe, save Constantinople, the capital. This has reduced both territory and population to only one third of what they were when Turkey came into the prophecy of Daniel as the king of the north. The prophecy foretold her decline and fall. The century has fulfilled much of the prophecy.

And now what next? “He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain.” This we understand means the transfer of the capital of the empire. And what else could be looked for? The capital is in Europe. But all her former territory and subjects in Europe, save the capital, are gone. All in Africa is gone. What remains is in Asia. The natural thing to do would be to transfer the capital to a safer and more suitable place within the empire.

This we understand the prophecy declares will be done, and it points to the place to which it will eventually be transferred—“between the seas in the glorious holy mountain.” That we understand is Mount Zion, where Jerusalem, the city of David, was built. Palestine belongs to Turkey. It is not at all incredible that under the conditions in which Turkey now finds herself she should make Jerusalem her headquarters. If we rightly understand the prophecy, this will be done. How soon this step may be taken no one can tell. It looks as if that must be the next move.

But “he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” The prophet saw not only the disintegration that has taken place, but the extinction of the empire. “He shall come to his end.” This will be fulfilled as surely as every line of the prophecy up to this hour has been fulfilled.

One of the reasons given by the prophet why he shall come to his end is because “none shall help him.” All kingdoms that have risen have had more or less support from others. This has been true of Turkey. During the century that she has been going down she has been receiving help all along from the different powers of Europe. At different times England, France, Austria, and Russia have stood by her. Had it not been for this, she would have come to her end long ago. But the time will come when this help will be withdrawn. “None shall help him.” Then he will come to his end.

In the fierce struggle now going on, no help has thus far been given Turkey to stand against her victorious foes. She has appealed to the European powers for help, but up to the present none has been given.

But the most important feature of the prophecy relating to the fall of the kingdom of the north is that great event which is to take place in close connection with it. Daniel says:—

“And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 11:45; 12:1-3.

Here the standing up of Michael, the time of trouble, the resurrection of the dead, and the rewarding of the righteous are all closely connected with the coming to his end of the king of the north. It is this that gives such great meaning to the disintegration and final ruin of the king of the north. Michael is Christ. His standing up is the beginning of his reign. That will be the greatest event in the history of the world. It will bring the battle of Armageddon. It will close human history, and bring to an end the long, cruel reign of sin.

Viewed from the standpoint of the world, the events that have been taking place in the Turkish empire during the last century are full of interest and serious import to the nations. But in the light of the Scriptures the meaning of these events is greatly magnified. The fulfilment of the Word of God is the most important matter in the world. All through the ages events have been transpiring that have fulfilled the inspired prophecies of the Bible. And it is even so to-day. Of prophecies now being fulfilled before us, we may say, as did the Saviour to the people of his day, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4:21.

A. G. DANIELLS.