Yesterday I watched a speech by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the man from Turkey once again calling for Muslims everywhere to take ‘practical action’ against Israel. Here is the English translation of his speech…
“I invite the entire world, especially Islamic countries, to take practical action against Israel’s attack on the Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, and Palestinian homes. I am calling on the countries comprising of Muslim population. No one trusts the International organizations and laws when everyone starts worrying about himself only. The fire and unrest due to this, affect those who remain silent on brutality. They should not forget that Jerusalem is the whole world. Muslims there are also humans.
The world which cannot protect Muslims and Jerusalem betrays itself and opens the pin of a suicide bomb from its own hand. We, as a Turk, like are always with the Muslims of Jerusalem. We have taken the necessary steps to activate International organizations especially the United Nations and the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) if the UN cannot stop this brutality urgently and effectively.
So I want to say the world is greater than five. We believe in a mechanism for not limiting the International autonomy and unity of only five countries. Again we raise a voice for structural and operational reforms of all organizations including the UN Security Council. We want to urgently stop the attack on the Al Aqsa Mosque and Muslims in Jerusalem. We are waiting for the end of direct or indirect pressure on Palestinians to leave their home or land; otherwise we will go to any extent to put the oppressor to an end. Allah is the biggest partner of the oppressed one.”
Reading this transcript reminds us of what he said back in 2017 when he urged Muslims to throng to the Temple Mount in a show of solidarity with Palestinians as he issued a string of challenges to Israel, which he called “Racist and discriminatory.” He also said that increased Muslim visits to the Jerusalem holy site “Would be the greatest support to our brothers there.” There is no doubt that the resurrection of the Turkish Ottoman Caliphate is on the agenda. The Ottoman Turks occupied Jerusalem from 1517-1917. After WW1 when Turkey was defeated by the Allies under Generally Allenby the Ottoman Caliphate, the world’s last widely recognized caliphate, was abolished on 3 March 1924 by decree of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The process was one of Kemal Atatürk’s Reforms following the replacement of the Ottoman Empire with the Republic of Turkey.
Now it seems the beast empire “wounded by the sword yet lives” (a seemingly fatal wound) is being resurrected? (Revelation 13:3, 12) It seems the man from Turkey clearly has his sights on bringing about the resurrection of the “Second Beast Empire” being the resurrection “out of the earth” of the first empire that historically was under the governance of his Ottoman forebears. (Revelation 13:11) This “second beast” is directly connected to “the first beast.” (Revelation 13:12) In Bible prophecy “beasts” represent empires and included is the “horns” which are the rulers over those empires. The prophet Daniel shows this to be true. (Daniel Chapter 7; 8:20-22)
From the human perspective the reality in Israel is that the Jewish people (the Israelites, as I prefer to call them Biblically speaking) are fighting for their very survival. The whole world of the main-stream Media basically howled down Israel over Israeli soldiers storming the Temple Mount. What was not reported by and large was that the Arab militants on the Temple Mount were stockpiling rocks by the bucket load to use against the Israelis. Added to this, the rockets have been coming into Israel from Hamas in Gaza and also have started coming in from Hezbollah in Lebanon.
If any other country in the world was attacked in this way they would be within their rights to defend themselves and their citizens. It is only when Israel defends its citizens that they are called out as aggressors and oppressors and as the man from Turkey states as “brutality that must be stopped.” He also states; “we will go to any extent to put the oppressor to an end.” Let’s face it, the real issue is not primarily a ‘religious’ one, but a political one where militant Islamic nations want to occupy Israel and drive the Jews out of the Land. The religious aspect is that the Muslims want to show that their ‘god’ Allah is greater than the God of the Jews and the Christians they designate as “the people of the book” being the Bible.
Behind the scenes in the unseen spiritual world in the atmosphere just above the circumference of the earth, Satan and his minions from Hades are working around the clock to destroy Israel because they know that the Second Coming of the Messiah our Lord Jesus depends on the survival of Israel. The prophets clearly reveal that the Messiah is coming back to reign from Jerusalem as the King of Israel. Of course we know brothers and sisters that through the cross of our Lord Jesus Satan and his cohorts from Hell have already lost the war and been put to an open shame before all the host of the heavens. (Colossians 2:15)
The Time of Jacob’s Trouble is coming for Israel, not to destroy them as a nation, but to bring them back into a right relationship with the God of their forefathers of faith Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We are told by the prophet Jeremiah that Israel “will be saved out of it,” not from it. (Jeremiah 30:7) This rescue for the surviving remnant in Israel will happen when they encounter the Messiah and are saved! (Zechariah 12:10-14; 13:1) (Romans 11:25-27) God will do this because “His gifts and call are irrevocable!” (Romans 11:29)
We know that the man of sin with his military might will invade Jerusalem and sit in the Temple and proclaim himself to be God. (Daniel 11:36) (2 Thessalonians 2:4) As yet the Al Aqsa Mosque stands on the current site of the Temple Mount and there is no Temple. Something needs to happen in order for the Temple to be built. Just a thought, what if a rocket from Gaza or Lebanon hits the Dome of the Rock?
Now Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has all the characteristics that will mark the man of sin as we see described in Daniel 11:36-45. From scripture we know that it will be Turkey that will lead the Ezekiel 38 invasion force. (Ezekiel 38:1-6) Why Turkey?
Three things to note…
Firstly; Gog is the man of sin and Magog the land from which he will arise. He is also called the chief prince over Meshech and Tubal. Also mentioned is Gomer and BethTorgarma, all of which are located in the geographical area we know as Turkey today. This is clearly shown on ancient Middle-Eastern maps of the region.
Secondly; The pre-existent Messiah our Lord Jesus (before He became a flesh and blood human being) was speaking to Daniel about what would happen in the latter days between Israel and Iran. (Daniel 10:12-14, 20) The Lord referred to the Prince over Persia which is the Demonic principality that is over the Ayatollah regime in Iran today. The Lord also told Daniel about the Prince over Greece would come after the principality over Iran. Now the word “Greece” can be translated as “Yavan” or “Ionia.” Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire superseded the empire of Persia. Alexander has a Western and Middle-Eastern leg to his empire, as Rome was to have. The Middle-Eastern part of Alexander’s empire included Ionia which today geographically is Turkey.
Thirdly; through the apostle John the Lord Jesus personally wrote to seven churches all located in modern day Turkey. These were seven literal churches historically but prophetically can apply to the whole Church corporately but also to the Church historically and especially in the last days. It is interesting that John writes about Pergamum that it was the city where “Satan has his throne” and “the city where Satan lives.” (Revelation 2:12-13) Historically we know that at Pergamum you had the huge Altar of Zeus also known as the Altar of Pergamum and we know from scripture that the worship of idols in any form is the worship of demons. (Deuteronomy 32:16-17) It was at Pergamum where Roman Emperor worship really kicked in with Augustus having himself deified as a ‘god.’
Prophetically, is the Holy Spirit telling us that it will be Turkey that will be the throne of the man of sin? It is also interesting to note that Antipas the Lord Jesus’ faithful martyr is mentioned. (Revelation 2:13b) Prophetically, in connection with Antipas’ martyrdom at Pergamum, we can see that there will be many martyrs during the reign of the man of sin. (Daniel 7:21, 25) (Revelation 13:5-7) When you consider the Armenian Genocide with most estimates of Armenian deaths between 1915 and 1918 ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 million at the hand of the Ottoman Turks, you can see how the future empire of this man of sin will treat faithful believers and Jews alike. He will “wear down the saints of the Most High God.” (Daniel 7:25)
Watching and observing the man from Turkey over the last several years it is becoming increasing clearer that he is positioning himself as the champion, not only of the so called ‘Palestinian’ cause, but as the champion of Muslims globally and as the leading spokesman on earth for the cause of Allah. He wants to be the new caliph of a resurrected Turkish Ottoman Empire that stretches throughout the whole of the Middle-East and into much of Europe and sweeps down into the Northern African continent. It will be the pattern and path of conquest of past Turkish Ottoman Empires he will seek to emulate and surpass in splendour and power.
For three and a half years the whole world will be plunged into a nightmare of trouble unlike anything in the past or in the future. (Matthew 24:15ff) (Daniel 12:7b) It will be so bad that for the sake of God’s elect saints and for the survival of this planet that He will cut those days short. (Matthew 24:21-22) Israel will be at the centre of this conflict. (Daniel 12:1) God will intervene and send the Lord Jesus back to save Israel, rapture and resurrect the saints, (faithful believers) destroy the man of sin and his empire, judge the whole world in righteousness and establish the Messianic Kingdom on earth.
This coming man of sin will make great boasts and destroy many and persecute Israel and by extension and inclusion the engrafted Church. But the thrones of God’s heavenly court will be set in place and judgement will be passed and executed on this man of sin and his empire, and after that the saints will inherit the Kingdom on earth! (Daniel 7:8-14, 21-22, 25-27) To this the prophets and the apostles testify. If you are a born again, Bible loving, blood washed, Spirit-filled, Israel loving believer, then you will be part of this Messianic Age to come!
