The Eastern Question by James White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 21.

The Eastern Question.

By James White

THE question of the action of the nations, and especially of Russia, in regard to Turkey, known as the Eastern Question, is exciting very general attention. Statesmen ponder over it, the newspapers make frequent mention of it, and students of prophecy look toward it with much interest. To all classes it is becoming a subject of great anxiety.

Turkey is one of the weakest of the nations. For forty-five years her existence has been maintained by the united interference of the nations of Western Europe. These nations are professedly Christian, while Turkey persecutes Christians within her borders with unrelenting ferocity. There is not a feeling in common between Turkey and the nations which uphold her. She is far behind—and determinedly behind—the civilization of the nations by which she is surrounded, and on which she depends for her semblance of power.

The only importance which Turkey possesses in the eyes of the nations is this: She occupies one of the strongholds of the world, if not the stronghold itself. Constantinople, in the possession of a nation which could make use of the advantages of her position, would be invulnerable. It affords a complete protection to a fleet of any size in the Black Sea, which might be thrown out when the most favorable opportunity offered. Napoleon I. called Constantinople “the key of the world.” Even in his day Russia had her eye on this point, and made its possession the condition of a treaty of friendship with him. Had he agreed to this, it would be impossible to conjecture where would be the lines of the map of Europe now.

Besides this, Turkey nominally holds a jewel which has long been coveted by the nations, namely, Jerusalem. This is only of a traditional or imaginary value; like any other jewel, it is for ornament rather than use.

The nations which uphold Turkey have no interest in her welfare, or her existence, only as they are jealous of each other. They are anxious that she should retain her stronghold, each fearing that if she should lose it, a stronger and a rival power might gain it.

At the close of the Crimean War, a treaty was entered into by Russia, England, and France, by which Russia agreed not to create a war fleet in the Black Sea. This assured Turkey in the quiet possession of Constantinople; for the length and narrowness of the Straits and the swiftness of the currents, render it next to impossible to successfully attack it from below. A fleet for the conquest of Constantinople outside of these Straits would be liable to attack at any time; but in the Black Sea it would be secure.

Taking advantage of the war between France and Prussia, Russia repudiated the treaty of 1855, and appealed to the judgment of the nations at large for the justness of her course. The powers at war could not resist her action, and England seemed

fearful even to protest against it without being backed by other powers. And thus peaceably the treaty became a dead letter. The wonder was that Russia ever entered into a treaty which cut her off from her most available sea-coast, and she would not, only that a heavy pressure was upon her. But this repudiation was really the death knell of Turkey, and "the sick man," as Turkey has long been called, was virtually given up by his doctors.

Since that time Russia has been constantly extending her lines in Asia, not only threatening Turkey, but affecting the security of the British possessions. But England purchased the Suez Canal, and thus secured control of an important passage to the far East. This was a matter of disappointment to all the world, for it was generally conceded that France had the first right to the Suez Canal.

Thus now stands the Eastern Question. To the nations it is constantly becoming more complicated and perplexing. It is safe to say that much of the present effort of the great European powers to arm themselves beyond all precedent is in view of the possible developments of this question.

We think we have stated the importance and bearing of the question in their strongest light; and while we would not underestimate its importance as a source of contention, or even as a cause for preparation of the nations for "the battle of the great day," we do not hesitate to say there is great danger of our viewing the matter in a wrong light, and making it a detriment to us, as a people, as students of prophecy.

We have several times been asked of late if we saw anything in the attitude of the nations to indicate that the end is very near. Our answer was, and is, that we are not looking in that direction for our evidence. Not that there is nothing ominous in the attitude of the nations. There certainly is. But we feel assured that they who look in that direction for their principal evidence of the near coming of the end, will become bewildered, and probably discouraged.

We cannot wonder if they who reject the present truth of the Third Angel's Message take wrong views of our relation to the future action of the nations. But it need not be so with us.

The light of present truth clearly outlines all these things, and it alone gives the relation of the several events which precede the battle of the great day of the Lord. Without regarding the order and relation of these events, we must become confused.

Turning to Rev. 16:12, we read:—

"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."

Looking at the connection, we learn that this will take place just before the last battle; indeed, it is the first movement in that great conflict. It is generally understood that "the great river Euphrates" represents that power which flourished in the country watered by that river, namely, the Mahometan power, of which the Sultan of Turkey is the head. See "Thoughts on Revelation," chapters 9 and 16. Therefore Rev. 16:12, above quoted, describes the drying up of the power of Turkey. This is the issue of the Eastern Question.

Now we are prepared to guard against erroneous views of this question. Many are looking to it as the deciding point of our message. They seem to think they must watch the progress of the nations, and that, when this question comes to a crisis, it will be time for us to arouse, for the close of our work will be approaching. But not so. It is under the sixth plague that this matter comes to a crisis; that is, after the work of probation is finished, and after five of the plagues of the unmixed wrath of God are poured out upon the world. They who reject the warning of the Third Angel's Message cannot locate these plagues; they have never been able to explain their meaning or give their place. Hence they are liable to mistake the chronology of the culmination of the Eastern Question. But not so with us. We know that the wrath of God threatened in the Third Angel's Message is that contained in the seven last plagues; and we know that these plagues are poured out after probation ends—after our High Priest has finished his work in the heavenly sanctuary, and the unjust must remain unjust still. Cf. 1 Kings 8:10, 11; Rev. 15:8, and 22:11, 12. Therefore, to watch the Eastern Question as giving evidence of the termination of our work, is to follow a false light, and, as a consequence, to be led into confusion and darkness.

Brethren, keep your eyes on the Third Angel's Message. The Eastern Question is a question for the nations to work out when probation is ended and the restraining influence of the Spirit of God is withdrawn from them. The Third Angel's Message is our work—the work of God for this time—to prepare us to stand in the battle of the day of the Lord. The nations will soon fulfill their destined work when the servants of God are sealed for translation. See Rev. 7. Let us see to it that we fulfill ours. This is the work in which Heaven is specially interested. On this work all other questions hinge. Do not lose sight of this for anything else.

We cannot refrain from expressing our gratitude to God, who has given us a truth which so fully explains all these things. They who reject this light and watch the nations for the evidence of the coming of the end, will not know when probation is closing, and that day will come upon them as a thief. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." A light shines upon our pathway, guiding us in regard to the perplexities of the future, and its impending perils. Truly the word of prophecy is a light shining in a dark place. What so dark as the future, when we know not even what a day may bring forth? But the prophetic word, rightly read, lights up the future, and gives assurance as we tread the dangerous way. Only let us heed the admonition:—

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21:34.