According to a report published on December 24 in the online edition of Modern Diplomacy a headline read; “Russia, Iran, Turkey to hold Syria summit in Tehran in February or March.” The report went on to say; “Russia, Iran and Turkey have agreed to hold the next summit in Tehran in February or March 2022, depending on the coronavirus situation, senior assistant to Iranian foreign minister for special political affairs Ali Asghar Khaji told TASS (the Russian News Agency) last Wednesday. “Yes, it [the summit] is planned. We are preparing to hold it early next year. It will depend on the pandemic situation. But in general, we have agreed to hold the summit. Most likely, we will be able to hold it in February or March,” the Iranian diplomat said.

When asked whether the summit will be preceded by a foreign ministers’ meeting, he replied: “Yes, we have agreed on the matter. It will be next year. In January or early February, we will hold a meeting of foreign ministers, and a summit will follow that.” He also said that the next international meeting on Syria will be convened within a few weeks after the summit of Russia, Iran and Turkey… On July 1, 2020, Russian, Iranian and Turkish leaders held an online summit dedicated to Syrian regulation, discussing the prospects of a face-to-face meeting in Tehran when the epidemiological situation improves… Special representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey are mediating between the Syrian government and the opposition (End of extract).

For decades now Bible prophecy teachers by and large have been teaching that the Ezekiel Chapter 38 invasion of Israel will be led by Russia and that Turkey and Iran will also align themselves with Russia. We do know from scripture that Iranian armies will be among the armies of the Antichrist that will attack Jerusalem (Ezekiel 38:5a). There is no Biblical indication that Russian armies will actually be involved in the invasion force but there is Biblical evidence that Turkish armies will be involved and that the invasion will be led by Turkey, not Russia. The end goal of the Turkish Antichrist will be to take Jerusalem, exile half of the population of the city and desecrate the rebuilt Temple and proclaim himself to be God (Daniel 11:36-37) (2 Thessalonians 2:4) (Zechariah 14:1-2) (Matthew 24:14).

We also know from God’s Word before this final invasion of Israel takes place that Israel itself will have a major conflict with Iran in the last days followed by a confrontation with Turkey which will see the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel and the desecration of the Temple and the abomination committed (Daniel 10:12-14, 20). Michael the Archangel will arise up to protect Israel in the same way he rises up to resist Iran (Daniel 10:13. 21) (Daniel 12:1). The context of these passages of scripture is in the future and concerning the latter days or the last days in the time of wrath related to the appointed time of the end (Daniel 10:14) (Daniel 8:19).

In the Book of Daniel related to prophecy where we see the word “Greece” or “Grecia” (KJV) mentioned it does refer to Greece but can be translated as “Yavan” or “Ionia” which today would be located in modern day Turkey. Alexander the Great had a Middle-Eastern leg to his empire so historically and Biblically Turkey is appropriate as Ionia was part of Alexander’s eastern empire. Turkey figures strongly in Biblical prophecy.

One asks the question “Why did the Lord Jesus write seven letters to seven physical assemblies of New Covenant believers that were all located in modern day Turkey?” Why does the Lord Jesus mention the city of Pergamum was the city where “Satan has his throne” and as “the city where Satan lives?” (Revelation 2:13). Prophetically it would seem that the Holy Spirit is indicating that Israel and the Body of the Messiah spiritually grafted into Israel would together with Israel in the last days have to face the onslaught of the Turkish Antichrist who with his beast empire will wear down the saints of the Most High God through persecution for three and a half years (Daniel 7:21, 25) (Daniel 12:7) (Revelation 13:5-7).

Why do we know that it will be Turkey and not Russia that will lead the final assault and invasion against Israel? Well the text of Ezekiel 38:1-6 itself tells us this. Let’s look at the actual nations involved. You have Gog of course the Antichrist from the land of Magog and he is the chief prince of Meshech (Rosh) and Tubal. If you look at ancient geographical maps of the regions mentioned you will find Magog, Meshech and Tubal all located in the region of modern day Turkey.

Added to this you have also mentioned Gomer and Beth Togarmah also from the far north and today these were also located within modern day Turkey. Ancient maps of the whole region confirm this fact. Then of course you have mentioned in Ezekiel Chapter 38 Persia (Iran today) Cush (Sudan) and Put (Libya). All of these are Islamic nations today. We are also told that many nations will be with this end-time army that invades Israel (Ezekiel 38:6). Not only will Israel’s immediate Islamic neighbours join in the invasion but possibly other nations as well who have their own vested interests in the Holy Land. We are also told in the prophet Ezekiel that the nations whose armies go down into the pit are all from Islamic nations (Ezekiel 32:18-32).

As for Russia they may have troops on the ground with the invading force but possibly once the issue of who controls Syria has been settled Russia will stay on the sidelines and watch things unfold. Russia and Turkey have different religious roots. Russia has Christian Russian Orthodox roots whereas Turkey has Islamic roots. The whole invasion will culminate in the desecration of the rebuilt Temple, the abomination of desolation and the subjugation of Jerusalem and Israel for three and a half years with half of the city of Jerusalem’s population exiled to Islamic countries while the other half remain in the city (Zechariah 14:1-2). This repression and persecution will last for a time, times and half a time (Daniel 12:7).

During this time a remnant of Jews chosen by God’s unmerited favour will be preserved in the desert by the Lord and kept out of the clutches of the Red Dragon (Satan) (Revelation 12:6). It will be a remnant only (Isaiah 10:22) (Romans 9:27-29). It will be at this time that Michael the prince who protects Israel will arise to watch over this remnant in the desert (Daniel 12:1).  These will be the ones who will have a revelation of the Messiah our Lord Jesus (Zechariah 12:10-14). While two thirds of Israelis will perish in the land of Israel at the hands of the Antichrist’s beast empire there will be this third of Israelis who will pass through the time of God’s refining crucible to be rescued and preserved (Zechariah 13:8-9). In that day, when this third of the Jewish people in Israel have been spiritually purified in the desert, we are told that in that day “All Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-27).

When we see Turkey and Russia and Iran convening a summit once again about the situation in Syria it is becoming clearer that once Assad has gone the whole region will be open to occupation by the armies of the Turkish Antichrist giving them direct access to Israel from over the Golan Heights. In 168-167BC Antiochus Epiphanes the Seleucid Greek General who had come out of Syria was the one who invaded Israel and committed the abomination in the Jewish Temple (Daniel 8:9-12). He is a major type of the Antichrist in scripture. The Antichrist will also come out of Syria and attack Israel directly. Russia more than likely will have its own problems to deal with and leave Syria to Islam. Time will tell of course if things will happen in this way and Bible prophecy is confirmed by history. God Himself is the God of history (Isaiah 46:10).

Historically Daniel’s prophecies came to pass exactly as he predicted and he was accurate concerning past events that have happened and so his prophecies concerning the last days will also be proved to be accurate. The time is approaching when the ‘sabre rattling’ against Israel by the Islamic nations will be replaced by an outright act of war against God’s Covenant people. Kingdom Dominion is coming for the surviving remnant in Israel and for the Body of the Messiah spiritually grafted into Israel, being “the Olive Tree”, but only after the whole world has passed through the Time of Jacob’s Trouble lasting for three and a half years (Jeremiah 30:1-10).

Once the Messiah our Lord Jesus has come back and destroyed all resistance it is only then and not before that the saints will inherit the Kingdom of God on earth (Daniel 7:13-18,21-22, 26-27). Every blood purchased, blood redeemed, blood washed New Covenant believer will be a part of that Messianic Kingdom and destined to co-reign with the Messiah our Lord Jesus who will reign over the whole earth from the City of Jerusalem. (Revelation 5:10) (Revelation 2:26-27). In that day “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).