When the Turk Goes to Jerusalem — The Euphrates Power Drying Up — The Oriental Kingdoms Arousing — What the Significance?
By JOHN E. FULTON
THE Eastern question is one of engrossing interest and of vital importance, not only to the statesman, but especially so to the student of prophecy.
The great war now raging in Europe bears decided relations to the Eastern question. Austria's well-known desire to obtain Saloniki, if possible, as a base on the Ægean Sea, had the support of Germany, both as a pledged ally, and also because of the large interests which these powers, especially Germany, have in Turkish territory. A necessary occasion was found by Austria for starting a war with Servia; and so one after another, in quick succession, the great powers of Europe, and several of the smaller ones, are embroiled in a cruel, destructive, and prolonged war.
ENTRANCE TO TOMB OF SULTAN OTHMAN, FOUNDER OF THE TURKISH EMPIRE, BRUSA, TURKEY
HER DEATH KNELL
Turkey was induced to take the part of Germany; but she was warned that in doing so, she had “sounded her death knell.” Yet the “sick man of the East” appears to be making frantic efforts for life; but we are assured, on the authority of God's word, that the end of the Turk is near. Whether he will be driven out in the present awful struggle, as seems likely, or whether some arrangement may be devised by the powers which will leave him for a little time longer master of the coveted Constantinople, is difficult to say; but be driven out soon he must.
TO STAND AT JERUSALEM
The closing chapter in Turkey's eventful history will be the setting up of its capital at Jerusalem; and when the Turk establishes himself at Jerusalem, then will soon take place the final world struggle, known in the Bible as Armageddon. Then not only will the European nations, now so interested in Turkey, figure in that war, but all the nations of the world will be represented there.
“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Rev. 16: 12-16.
The river Euphrates stands for the power occupying the territory through which it flows; for water in prophecy is said to represent “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Rev. 17: 15. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this same river as a symbol of the Assyrian army (Isa. 8: 7); but Turkey has now for centuries occupied this part of the world, and is therefore represented by this symbol. The waters are to be “dried up,” says the prophet John. Rev. 16: 12.
HER TERRITORY DRYING UP
That for many years the process of disintegration has been going on in the Ottoman empire all are aware. In other words, Turkey is “drying up.” Her territory in Europe, which at one time was very extensive, is now only a shabby remnant of what she possessed in the days of her glory. In fact, what she now has is just sufficient to contain her capital, and that she has held many years only at the sufferance of the powers. The corrosive influence of misgovernment is now telling its tale. The strongest moral fiber, under such blighting conditions, must498give way. The prophecy is fulfilling. Turkey is “drying up” before our eyes.
THE “KINGS OF THE EAST” ENTER THE FRAY
But not only does the prophecy include the nations that have now for many years been so vitally interested in the near East, but the “kings of the earth and of the whole world” are to be gathered, says the prophet. Rev. 16: 14. This, then, includes the nations of the far East. In fact, they are very specifically included. “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” Verse 12. The Revised Version renders the last part of this verse, “the kings that come from the sunrising.” It is self-evident that such language must lead us to apply the prophecy to such nations as China and Japan.
THE “SUNRISE KINGDOM”
Japan is significantly named the “Sunrise Kingdom.” That she is a powerful nation, and now has a dominating influence in the far East, has been demonstrated. Until a short time ago, she had been shut up in her exclusiveness of centuries; but now she is awakened, and stands watchful, eager, and ready.
CONSTANTINOPLE WITH GOLDEN HORN — A PLACE CONSPICUOUS FOR CENTURIES IN WORLD EMPIRE
THE MIGHTY FORCES OF CHINA
China, which surprised the world by establishing a republic so recently, has not yet made such rapid strides; but she is a nation of great resources and latent power. Her misfortune has been that of a badly governed nation, which has resulted in a condition of stagnation. Her rulers have exploited the country for centuries, until it passed the limit of endurance. Hence the uprisings and the recent revolution, out of which the republic was born. But evidently China is not yet ready for a republican form of government; and the so-called republic is not a republic in fact, but rather a dictatorship. Yuan Shi Kai, the president, is a shrewd leader, and is doing his best, undoubtedly, to steer the ship of state away from danger; but the task is difficult, and the end most uncertain.
China has just passed through a crisis—or it should be said, is passing through a crisis, for the end of the difficulty is not yet. China has been humiliated by her aggressive neighbor, Japan. The latter has taken advantage of the present European situation, to impose demands upon China which she would most likely hesitate to make at another time. Territorial rights, coöperative interests in a great iron mine in China, insisting that China shall buy arms and munitions of war from Japan, and that she shall appoint Japanese advisers,—these are some of the demands which were backed up by an ultimatum from Japan.
PARTNERSHIP OF CHINA AND JAPAN
China has submitted. What will be the outcome? It is difficult to say what the immediate future may bring forth, but it is predicted that sooner or later a close alliance will be made between China and Japan. From an English daily published in Japan, in an editorial under the caption, “China as Japan's Partner,” we quote the following:
“What appears to be the position at present is that the two governments are gradually drawing toward a compromise whereby they may enter a kind of partnership, rather than an alliance. . . . The material for exchange in such a partnership is not wanting. China has natural resources to develop and protect. Japan has some acquired resources for developing and protecting the same. Moreover, China's undeveloped riches and military weakness are a constant menace not only to herself but also to Japan, seeing that there are constant temptations to foreign aggression. Let us become partners, says Japan—peaceful partners—and we shall both become rich and strong. Let us, in this peaceful plan, not arouse foreign criticism by foolish fighting, which can only end in one way, or by foolish talk of an offensive or a defensive alliance—quite unnecessary at this stage, and even likely to arouse antagonism. In fact any such sweeping arrangement necessarily disturbs the status quo in the far East, which we, under the Anglo-Japanese alliance, etc., are pledged to maintain. Let us quietly work out a little business partnership, which may some day develop into something more, and at any rate lay the foundations of a vast permanent guarantee of Asiatic strength.”
Let us imagine China, with her undeveloped resources and her four hundred millions of people, united in not merely an alliance, but a partnership, with Japan, the pushing, wide-awake, diplomatic, and military nation of the far East, and we can well calculate what a power may soon develop under such a mighty combination. Can we not then see more clearly what is meant by the “kings that come from the sunrising” in the great world struggle just before us?
NOT SICK, BUT A POTENT FORCE
Some one has termed China the “sick man of the far East,” just as Turkey is said to be the “sick man” of the near East; and in harmony with this idea, a French writer spoke of China as a great corpse floating about on the water of civilization, disturbing the harmony of nations by her pollutions. But E. F. P. Hatch, M. P., in his book entitled “Far Eastern Impressions,” written just before the revolution, refutes such a thought, in the following vigorous words:
“Dead she certainly is not. Heavy as are the blows that have fallen upon her in recent years, sorely though she has been stricken, her wonderful vigor remains practically unimpaired, and she continues what she has been for centuries, the greatest self-contained empire in the world. We speak of the break-up of China when we mean the break-up of her effete government. . . . The great nation of four hundred million souls, inhabiting a vast area that is almost a continent in itself, is what it has always been, a potent force in the world's history.”
Thus we have the most numerous race on the earth, with brain and sinew, and with unlimited resources, to be linked up, in all probability, with Japan, a nation trained in diplomacy, war, and commerce. Under her wise tutorship, what may not China become? United as one, what powers could afford to be their foes?
MAY COME VERY QUICKLY
Here, then, is one of the world's greatest disturbing forces; and in the rapid kaleidoscopic changes of this world's politics, who can tell how quickly all that is involved in this movement may be brought about?
We live in days of rapid transition. The end is near. God's word is fulfilling. Referring to this great final conflict, the Saviour gives this timely admonition: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Rev. 16:15.
