Untitled article by H. P. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 29, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 29.

THE TURKS AND ARMENIANS. No. 5.

By H. P. H.

IN my last article I remarked as to how the Armenian horrors reversed public sentiment in England; the people felt ashamed that they had so long helped the Turk, and were impatient with the government for not at once dealing summarily with him. This feeling against the Turk, which rose to such a high pitch in 1895, was also largely shared in America; and in the following year it spread to the nations of the continent of Europe. Mass-meetings were held, money was collected to aid the Armenians, and the feeling of indignation against the Turk ran high. The sentiment that the integrity of the Turkish Empire must be maintained has also here given place to a feeling of utter disgust with the Turk, and the whole Christian world demands that the Turk shall be blotted from the face of the earth. Hence we see to-day that the nations which helped Turkey in the past, and thus kept her from coming to her end, have completely changed in sentiment, and the nation that helped her most is now foremost in demanding her end. Everything seems to be rapidly developing towards the last step mentioned in the prophecy. Indeed, so far are they already advanced that it is a constant wonder how Turkey stands from week to week. And when we consider what comes with the downfall of Turkey, how solemn it makes this Eastern Question, and the march of events from day to day as they advance steadily and surely to the end! Even now the whole matter seems to tremble on the ragged brink of the precipice, and may make the final plunge at any moment.

Another scripture which speaks directly of the Turks, and throws much light on the present situation and course of events, is Rev. 16:12-17. This chapter describes the outpouring of the seven last plagues. Beginning with verse 12 is an account of what takes place under the sixth plague:—

"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euprates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."

In the Revelation the Euphrates River is used as a symbol of the Turkish nation, the nation occupying the territory through which the river flows. A study of chapter 9 makes this manifest. Hence, under the sixth plague, this nation will be dried up,—taken out of the way; and what for?—To prepare the way of the kings. Has Turkey been in their way? Our study of the eleventh chapter of Daniel shows that she is preëminently so. For years she has been held in position as a sort of buffer-state to keep the nations back. But when God's time for her end comes, all the nations of earth can not bolster her up any longer, and the moment she is removed, there will be a grand rush for her territory.

We have already had an illustration showing how surely this result will follow the drying up of the Turkish Empire. In 1895, after England had for months tried in vain to secure reforms for the Armenians, and her people were almost exasperated because she was so slow to act, a naval demonstration was decided upon to coerce the Turk. But as soon as this was planned, other nations proposed to join with her in the demonstration. They would not trust England to make it alone. They feared that she would repeat what she did in 1883, in Egypt, when at the time of the Alexandrian riot she seized the opportune moment to land her forces and take possession of the country on the ground that the Egyptians were not able to keep order, and that she must do it for them. Up to that time, France had acted a leading part in directing the affairs of Egypt; she had built the Suez Canal, and had done much to develop the commerce of the country; but now, with a sudden stroke, England had possession; and France has never forgiven herself for her fatal blunder in allowing the British to so adroitly take this excellent advantage from her.

Fearing that in the proposed naval demonstration in Turkish waters, England might seize the favorable moment to land her forces and take possession in Turkey as she had done in Egypt, the nations would not permit her to make this demonstration alone; they sent their war-ships to unite with her, so that in case hostilities should break out, they would be there to have a part in them. Thus, when there was but a bare possibility that the Turkish Government might be removed, and one of the great powers take possession, all the rest rushed to the scene. Hence, by their own acts, the nations have demonstrated that when Turkey comes to her end, is dried up, it will as nothing else bring them together. This will be the inevitable result of the present situation. Since the days of Peter the Great, the course of European politics has been in this direction.

"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." Rev. 16:13, 14.

These verses make plain what we see in the world to-day. The three unclean spirits come from three sources. A careful study of the Revelation reveals the fact that these three sources comprise the whole human family. What are these unclean spirits? Verse 14 states plainly that they are spirits of devils. What they do is but part of the plan of Satan, the great rebel against God. From the first, it was his plan to defeat the purpose of God. The chief battles in his great rebellion are fought on this earth; human beings are the battle ground; when Satan knows that he has but a short time, he comes down in great wrath. Rev. 12:12. From God's Word Satan can know when he has but a short time, and he then assembles and trains all his forces for one last mighty effort. This work is going on now; it is most apparent in the work of Modern Spiritualism. Through this agency, Satan is doing many wonders, and many think it an amusing pastime to sit in circles and become agents, or mediums, through whom these wonders are performed. How little they realize that all this work is but a part of this great plan of the arch-deceiver in his last mighty effort against the work of God! How true it is that the people are being deceived by this work! For what purpose are they deceived?—To gather them to the battle of the great day of God.

Observe that this work is specially carried on through the kings of the earth. Do we see them preparing for war?—As never before. Never before were so many under arms and so well trained as to-day; never before were there such mighty war-ships, torpedo boats, and terrible engines of destruction. And still the preparation goes on.

But in the midst of all this preparation, these rulers are talking peace; talking about settling difficulties by arbitration; calling for peace congresses; forming peace societies; and talking about disarming. Are these men acting a double part? Are they hypocritical in their pretensions?—No; they are doubtless as honest as any one. But how can this be reconciled with their course in talking peace and at the same time preparing for war as never before? All is explained by the Scripture under consideration; it is the work of Satan, who has so shaped affairs that these rulers can not help themselves. Altho they seriously desire peace and disarmament, not one of them dares disarm; but all feel that for their own safety, they must increase their war forces. Meanwhile the burden of taxation has become so great that the masses are filled with discontent; socialists and anarchists are increasing and gaining in power; and cabinets and prime ministers are perplexed beyond measure to keep peace at home, and at the same time do what they think foreign relations demand.

Some other important features which have a direct bearing on this subject will be presented in another number. H. P. H.