ARE WE READY FOR TURKEY TO FALL?
By W. N. Glenn
It is everywhere the fad for religious people and religious journals to berate the so-called Christian governments because of their alleged apathy in the matter of annihilating the Turkish government. These Christian journals and other Christian teachers seem to be oblivious of the meaning of the course they so persistently urge upon the great European powers and upon the United States. While the condition of things in Turkey is indeed deplorable, it is peace and prosperity as compared with the reign of war and bloodshed that must inevitably follow in Europe if the treaty powers were to let go their support of the “sick man of the east” and endeavor to recover the means they have invested in his maintenance. The heads of all these powers are aware of the terrible consequences of withdrawing their support from Turkey. Irresponsible talkers and writers may think it religious and patriotic to clamor for the overthrow of the Turkish dominion, but the statesmen who are responsible for the peace of their various empires, kingdoms, and republics, know the meaning of rash action too well to be goaded into general warfare by the cry of ambitious seekers after temporary notoriety. Behind the “powers that be” is the God of heaven. “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Dan. 4:17, 25, 32. When his time comes for the government of Turkey to be overthrown, it will be done. In his providence the peace of Europe has been maintained by the combination of European powers to maintain Turkey in position. In his providence the settlement of the Eastern Question by force of arms has been averted for many years, and why? The answer is given in Revelation 7:1-3. God has a message going to the world (chap. 14:6-12), the last message of mercy, a message calling men to prepare for the judgment, a message showing the fall of the corrupt Babylonian church, because she has rejected his law and made the nations drunk with the wine of the wrath of her fornication, a message calling men back to obedience to his law, which is the standard of the judgment which the message proclaims. The winds of a general war are being held, until this message has been carried to every nation and kindred and tongue and people, until the work of sealing the servants of God is completed. The final downfall of Turkey is the drying up of the river Euphrates, spoken of in Revelation 16. It will be the signal for the gathering together of the “kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Verse 14. Let those enthusiasts who are so lustily calling for the overthrow of Turkey ask themselves the question, Are we ready for the result? In immediate connection with this tragic event, the Lord says: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Verse 15.