The Ottoman Empire and the Eastern Question: Prophecy and Power

After August 11, 1840, Turkey did not come into a position of independent power; rather, it began to exist only by the sufferance and protection of the great Christian powers of EuropeSSP 176.2+1. On that specific date, the Ottoman Empire's independent supremacy ended as it placed its destiny in the hands of England, Russia, Austria, and PrussiaARSH September 25, 1900, page 616.7+2.

The Loss of Independence

• The Ultimatum: On August 11, 1840, an ultimatum was officially put into the power of Mehemet Ali, the Pasha of Egypt, who had been threatening to overthrow the SultanSSP 176.2+1.

• Transfer of Control: On that same day, the Sultan inquired what should be done if the Pasha refused the terms, and the ambassadors of the four powers replied that provision had already been made, effectively taking responsibility for the empire's fate out of the Sultan's handsSYNPT 217.1+2.

• The "Sick Man": From this point forward, Turkey became known as the "Sick Man of the East," a power that had "signed away" its independence and remained standing only because the European powers could not yet agree on how to divide its territorySSP 176.2+2.

Prophetic Fulfillment

This event was a remarkable fulfillment of the prophecy in Revelation 9:15 which allotted a period of an hour, a day, a month, and a year—totaling 391 years and 15 days—for Ottoman independenceSSP 176.2+2. This period began on July 27, 1449, when the Greek emperor sought permission from the Turkish Sultan to reign, and it ended precisely on August 11, 1840, when the Sultan made a similar surrender of his own power to Christian nationsLDT 149.2+2.

The Future of the Ottoman Power

• The End of the Empire: Prophecy indicates that the Turkish power will eventually be expelled from Constantinople and will plant "the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain," which is JerusalemSSP 176.2+2.

• Final Destruction: When he reaches this end, "none shall help him," marking a time of trouble such as never was and signaling the standing up of Michael, the great prince Daniel 11:45+1.

• Divine Kingdom: The collapse of these earthly kingdoms makes way for the kingdom of God, which shall break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms and stand forever Daniel 2:44+1.

The drying up of this power is necessary to prepare the way for the "kings of the East," and it will ultimately occur by the consent of the same powers that have sustained its existence since 1840 Revelation 16:12MEDM August 14, 1906, page 59.4. This serves as a solemn reminder to be ready for the close of earthly history and the coming of the Son of man Luke 21:27+1.

The Eastern Question is primarily the responsibility and struggle of the great powers of Western Europe—Britain, France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia—concerning the fate and territory of the Ottoman EmpireMEDM August 14, 1906, page 58.7+1. This complex diplomatic and military problem centers on the Ottoman Empire's decline and the necessity of keeping Russia from permanently possessing ConstantinopleMEDM July 10, 1906, page 10.10+1.

The Core of the Question

• The Responsibility of Powers: The original Eastern Question began when four great powers assumed absolute responsibility for the Turkish government on August 11, 1840, to prevent its total collapseARSH September 25, 1900, page 616.7+1.

• The "Sick Man" of Europe: Turkey is known as the "Sick Man of the East," an empire that remains in existence only because the great powers have resolved that its standing is necessary for the peace of ChristendomSBBS 155.4+1.

• A Preventive Measure: The powers maintain the Turkish government as a means to keep themselves from engaging in a general, calamitous war over the division of its territoriesGNT 88.2+1.

• Spheres of Influence: While officially maintaining the integrity of Turkey, each power works to establish "spheres of influence" over Turkish territory in Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt to be prepared for the empire's inevitable endMEDM July 10, 1906, page 3.3+1.

Expansion to the Far East

• Extension to China: The modern Eastern Question as it centers in Peking (Beijing) today is an extension and enlargement of the original question that began in ConstantinopleMEDM August 14, 1906, page 58.7+1.

• Global Involvement: Because the same Western powers involved in Turkey are also the chief powers involved in China, the two questions are inextricably linked and cannot be solved independently of one anotherMEDM August 14, 1906, page 58.7+1.

• A World Question: This entanglement has caused the issue of the Turkish possessions to become the "World's Question," involving the destiny of all the great nations of todayMEDM July 10, 1906, page 3.3+1.

Prophetic Significance

• The Sixth Trumpet: The date of August 11, 1840, is identified as the expiration of the prophetic period of the Sixth Trumpet, marking when the Ottoman supremacy ceased and passed into the hands of Christian nations Revelation 9:15LELJB 266.4+1.

• The Sixth Plague: The "drying up" of the Turkish power, symbolized by the river Euphrates, is a prerequisite to prepare the "way of the kings of the East" for the final battle of Armageddon Revelation 16:12MEDM August 14, 1906, page 60.2+1.

• The King of the North: In the light of prophecy, the Ottoman power occupies the territory of the "king of the north," and its final end—planting its tabernacles between the seas in the glorious holy mountain—will be the signal for the close of human history Daniel 11:45SSP 178.1+1.

The solution to this question remains the pivot of global politics, as the world's centers of power watch for the moment the "Sick Man" finally takes his departure from EuropeARSH November 13, 1900, page 729.2+2. This impending conflict is recognized by God as the battle of that great day of God Almighty Isaiah 8:9-10+1GNT 102.2+1.