Bearing of the Recent Massacres on the Eastern Question
By H. P. H.
THE TURKS AND ARMENIANS. No. 3.
Bearing of the Recent Massacres on the Eastern Question.
OUR last article closed with a study of Dan. 11:40, where the Turkish power is introduced, and where we learned that in 1798 there would be a conflict, first between the Egyptians and the French, and then between the Turks and the French. We now look to history, not to see if this took place, for by the fact that it is in the prophecy we surely know that it would occur, but to learn how it was accomplished. History answers that in 1798, in May, the French declared war on Egypt. Napoleon headed the expedition. First, Alexandria was taken and fortified; the French gained victory after victory till the great battle of the Pyramids was fought, which placed them in possession of Egypt. In the meantime, the sultan of Turkey declared war against the French and marched towards Egypt. Napoleon at once set out to meet him. The two armies met in Palestine, at Acre, just north of Mt. Carmel, on the shores of the Mediterranean. The manner and result of this meeting are described in the latter part of verse 40. While the forces of Egypt made but a feeble resistance, fitly expressed by the term "pushed at him," the king of the north, the Turks, came down against the French like a "whirlwind," or with irresistible power. They came with "chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships." The Turks and Arabs are a wandering people; their ideal is to have a fine riding horse and good arms. Nearly all travel in Turkey is on horseback, or with camels or ponies. Hence, in case of war, Turkey can easily assemble large numbers of horsemen. This is a characteristic feature of the nation; the prophetic description contains these distinguishing features of nations, making the application easy and certain. Note also the expression "many ships." At this time, Turkey had a strong fleet; and it followed near the shore, abreast of the land forces. The British, fearing that the French might gain the ascendancy in the Orient, sent their fleet to aid the Turks; thus there were most literally "many ships" in this conflict. The outcome of this strife is plainly indicated by the words, "and he," the king of the north, the Turks, "shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over." Napoleon was not able to resist this "whirlwind" from the north, and for the first time sounded the note of retreat. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to a description of the career of the Turk till his end. Verses 41-43 describe his conquests after this victory over the French, specially naming Egypt as one of the countries that should "not escape." Egypt was conquered by the Turks and placed under tribute, as indicated in the expression, "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt." Then follows the expression, "The Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps." One is forcibly reminded of this expression on viewing the sultan when he goes to the mosque on Friday for prayers. He goes in state. Large bodies of cavalry and footmen are drawn up, guarding both sides of the way from the palace to the mosque; and prominent among these are the black soldiers from Africa; thus, even today, "Libyans and Ethiopians" are "at his steps." "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Verse 44. This verse indicates very plainly that after this conflict and victory in the south, the Turk would have trouble from the north and east. Turkey has had trouble with the Persians and Armenians from the east and Russians from the north. Those familiar with the history of the Crimean War will at once observe how strikingly it fulfilled the statement made in the latter part of this verse. "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." Verse 45. All the previous part of this prophecy has been fulfilled. Verse 44 brings us down to our day; the events described in verse 45 have not yet taken place; but as we shall see by a study of the verse, these events are in process of fulfilment, and hence this becomes to us one of the most interesting parts of the Bible. It is of interest not only in a general way, but in a specific sense; it brings to view the end of the Turk; and when the Turkish Empire comes to an end, it means more than simply the cessation of one of the many nations of earth; for in the following verse, which is but a continuation of the conversation of the angel, we read:— "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." Michael is Christ; to "stand up" is to reign. Hence at the very time when the Turk is overthrown, Christ comes to establish his kingdom, the resurrection takes place, and this is a time of trouble for the world such as never has been. Hence every nation and every soul is concerned in the end of the Turk; for his end means the end of all things earthly. Every man, whether he is indifferent to the fact or not, is certainly interested in this question; he can not help being, even if he would not be, for when the end comes, all are involved. Therefore, every man should study with special care this verse and the course of events here described. After his troubles from the east and north, it is said of the Turk, "He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain." This plainly indicates that his capital, or palace, will be transferred before he comes to his end. It also makes very plain to what place it will be removed. "The glorious holy mountain" is an expression applied to Mount Zion. See Ps. 48:1, 2; Zech. 8:3. This is in Jerusalem, and is also "between the seas,"—the Dead and the Mediterranean. Hence, before his end the palace of the sultan will be transferred from Constantinople to Jerusalem. It is an interesting fact that some of the Turks expect the same. While in Nicomedia in 1895, holding Bible studies with believers, we learned what a Turkish judge had to say on this subject. Said he, "We know that sooner or later the powers of Europe will drive us out from Constantinople; and when they do, we know where we shall go; it is to Jerusalem; and when we are there, the nations of earth will gather about us; but at this juncture, Mohammed and Jesus will come [they believe that Jesus is a prophet, but inferior to Mohammed] and give us victory over all these nations." We will have occasion to refer to this later. In our next, we shall consider more fully the end of the Turk. H. P. H.