The historian states that “Genghis Khan … made himself master of the greater part of Asia, a realm larger than that ever ruled over before by a single man”. This amazing conqueror died in 1227, centuries after the old world empires of Assyria, Babylon, MedoPersia, Greece and Rome had passed away. The territories over which they held sway were smaller than those of this terrible man. He was leader of the Mongol Turks.
It is generally recognised that Revelation 8 deals with the invasions of the various barbarian tribes into the Western part of the Roman Empire. Then in chapter 9 the blowing of the fifth trumpet gives us the rise of the Saracens, spreading the doctrines of Mahomet by the sword. The blowing of the sixth trumpet (after 300 years of Saracenic domination) introduces the Turkish power, now become Mahometan, which came in four successive waves, and at its zenith produced Genghis Khan as stated above.
In view, therefore, of the magnitude of this development, are we not justified in expecting that there should be Old Testament prophecies regarding it as well as New Testament ones? We think so, but in the writings of the brotherhood where are such expositions to be found? Surely the place to look for them is in Daniel 11, but almost complete silence prevails, what could apply to Turkey being applied to another power.
Daniel 11 deals largely with the conflicts between the king of the North and the king of the South, and gives an amazingly detailed account of the history subsequent upon the death of Alexander the Great and the seizure of power by his four generals Ptolemy, Cassander, Lysimachus and Seleucus. Ptolemy seized Egypt, and Seleucus all the area around Syria, and these two became kings of the North and South.
Antiochus Epiphanes and the rise of the Maccabees seem to fulfil vv. 29-35. When, however, we come to v. 36, no longer are there two kings of North and South. Only “the king” is referred to. This suggests that this king combined in himself the rulership of both North and South. Who was this power? Again it is generally agreed in our literature (and that of other expositors also) that this was the Roman power which occupied Syria in 180 B.C. and Macedon in 146 B.C., Egypt being defeated at the battle of Actium in 31 B.C.
Every clause in those verses could apply to Rome, and some exclusively so. But now note what follows. In v. 40 the king of the South reappears, and pushes at “him”. Who is the “him”? Surely the “king” of vv. 36-39. Then the king of the North comes against “him” like a whirlwind. Evidently the assault of the king of the North is much more vigorous than that of the king of the South. Who are these two new powers that thus come upon the scene, attacking the ancient power of Rome? This occurs at “the time of the end”, whenever that may be.
In 622 Mahomet began his conversions by the power of the sword, “Believe or die” being his simple formula. The majority preferred to believe. The rise of Mahometanism and the Saracens was meteoric. In 637 Omar captured Jerusalem. Heraclius was the emperor at Constantinople and when he saw defeat at Jerusalem was inevitable, the historian says “he removed the true cross which he had rescued from the Persians to Constantinople”. (Needless to say there was no “true cross”.) The Saracens conquered Persia, and Men Egypt was overcome. In an amazingly short space of time they had spread along the north of Africa, occupied Spain, and were proceeding into Europe until checked by Charles Martel at the battle of Tours in 732. This Saracenic upsurge is, we suggest, the fulfilment of the “pushing” of the king of the South.
In 668 they tried to capture Constantinople, but quite unsuccessfully. A further attempt was made in 716, but Leo III successfully defended the city and a second time the Saracens were repulsed. The Saracens never did capture Constantinople. In the words of Revelation 9 they were given power to torment five months, and power to hurt five months, but they were not given power to kill. Their power lasted roughly 300 years (5 months = 150 days = 150 years. 150 years to “torment”, 150 years to “hurt”.) and then they were superseded. This “pushing” of the king of the South (the Saracens) against “the king” (the Eastern Roman Empire centered in Constantinople) had been ineffectual so far as the major offensive was concerned. The emperor was still in Constantinople when the Saracens gave way to the new power which was arising.
The uprise of the Turks and their subsequent ‘history fulfils in detail verses 40 to 45. Perhaps, however, we had better understand what is meant by “the time of the end”. In Scripture there are many references to “the time of the end”. One is in Daniel 11:35, but this was fulfilled in the days of the Maccabees prior to Rome entering this arena. Ezekiel several times refers to “an end is come”. This was the “end” of the Jewish nation brought about by Nebuchadnezzar. Amos similarly says “The end is come upon my people …”. Nebuchadnezzar says his madness was removed “at the end of the days …”. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 “. . . I am with you unto the end of the age …”.
This is usually regarded as being fulfilled at the end of the first century when the Holy Spirit was withdrawn. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:11 “… we, upon whom the ends of the world are come …”. It is obvious, therefore, that while the expression “the time of the end” could refer to our days, it is equally possible that it refers to something quite different. We suggest that in Daniel 11:40, the “end” referred to is the end of the Roman Empire, first invaded by the Saracens but later destroyed by the Turks—an “end” very definitely. This again is supported by the interpretation of Revelation 9. In view of the previous magnitude of the Roman Empire, this “end” is obviously a most important event.
How then were the other items fulfilled in the growth of the Turkish Empire? “With chariots and with horsemen.” The Turks relied far more on their cavalry than on their infantry, and the charges of •their cavalry could well be likened to a “whirlwind”.
“With many ships.” In the battle of Lepanto they had 300 ships. Gibbon tells us that, previously, Greek slaves were set to work to build 200 ships. The Spanish armada, sent against England in 1588, had 132 when it left Spain but only 53 returned. This was a major attempt on the part of Spain to conquer England. Yet Turkey had far more ships than Spain. (The writer has not overlooked the fact that Russia now has an enormous fleet, but Russia does not “fill the bill” for Daniel 11.)
Turkey certainly entered into many countries, overflowed and passed over. Actually she penetrated a long way into China, which has been accomplished by very few. “He shall enter into the glorious land”: without question the “glorious land” is God’s land, the land of Palestine. Turkey had a stranglehold on Palestine for centuries and was not dislodged until General Allenby drove her out in 1917.
“Many countries shall be overthrown.” These “many” comprised several in Europe and quite a few in Asia and Africa. It is, however, more than a coincidence that Edom and Moab not only were never occupied, but they never even paid tribute. On the other hand, in order that pilgrims might have free passage through to Mecca the Sultan paid them 40,000 gold crowns every year! What of “The chief of the children of Ammon”? History records that the inhabitants of the greater Dart of that country “live in a state of complete independence of the Turk”.
“The land of Egypt shall not escape.” Egypt certainly did not escape. Selim the Grim (what a name!) in two battles—one in north Syria and the second near Cairo, in 1517—defeated the Egyptians very decisively and both Egypt and Syria were added to the Turks’ domains. Thenceforward the Turks drained Egypt of its gold, silver, and all precious things. They despoiled it to the uttermost, and Egypt became, and still is, one of the basest of kingdoms.
“The Libyans and Ethiopians shall be at his steps.” These formed the extremities of the Turkish Empire and were only partially subject to its power. The historian says “After the conquest of Egypt, the terror of Selim’s victories spreading wide, the kings of Africa, bordering upon Cyrenaica, sent their ambassadors with offers to become his tributaries. Other more remote nations also, towards Ethiopia, were easily induced to live in amity with the Turks”.
“He shall plant the tabernacle of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain.” The Dome of the Rock (erroneously called the Mosque of Omar: Omar had nothing to do with it, and the building was not completed until the end of the 7th century, half a century after the death of Omar) is built over the rock on the top of Mount Moriah, the rock on which Isaac was to have been sacrificed, and also the site that David bought from Araunah the Jebusite. It can hold 3,000 worshippers and is the centre of Mahammetan worship. This building can well fulfil that referred to in Daniel 11:45.
Revelation 16:12 requires that the River Euphrates should evaporate. This is generally admitted to mean the drying up of the Turkish Empire. The major powers that created this decline did come from the North and East, and desperately as Turkey resisted, it was unavailing. God had said “Turkey must go!” For many years Turkey was like a sick man, bolstered up particularly by Britain and France, especially against Russia. When the first World War was in progress Turkey joined the side of Germany and this rang her death knell. No longer could Britain and France support or defend her. Just prior to 1914 large portions of the empire had declared their independence, and then in 1917 Turkey was driven out of Palestine by British forces led by General Allenby. Turkey as an empire very definitely came to her end with none to help her.
The present day Turkey need not detain us here. The capital is now at Ankara, having been moved from Constantinople some years ago. In common with many other nations after the first World War, revolutions took place, until finally Mustafa-Kemal — “Ataturk” — obtained control and became the first president. He introduced and put through enormous changes, nearly all of a westernizing nature. Much of the language was altered. The standard of living has been greatly increased. Womanhood has been emancipated. Trade unions have been created and social services established. Farming has been modernized. The constitution has been modernised entirely. In brief, Turkey is now a vastly different country from what it was. It is cultivating the tourist trade—this writer can testify to the excellence of the modern hotels. The people are friendly and very cooperative.
The closing verses of Daniel 11 are fulfilled completely in the rise and fall of Turkey, which is understandable in view of the fact that for centuries they controlled God’s land. Immediately after this prophesied downfall of Turkey, Daniel 12 commences “At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people.” There is no reason why the Michael of chapter 12 should be any other than the Michael of chapter 10:13, and for both to refer to the angel whom God gave to look after Israel’s affairs in Exodus 23:20.
We are not told that this angel’s work was ever terminated, so presumably he is still looking after Israel. If that is so, did not the latter day phase of his “standing up” begin in 1948 when Israel again became a nation, despite the violent opposition of five Arab armies? Again was he not in evidence in the Suez crisis ten years later? And a third time in 1967 when Egypt was utterly routed in the Six Days’ War? Even the cartoons in the daily papers suggested that efficient as Israel showed themselves to be, there was a far greater force supporting and helping them. Is not the time of trouble definitely with us?
The world is as bad as it was in the days of the Flood. Equally in 12:4 the running to and fro, and the increase of knowledge are with us. We must then be in the days when the resurrection will take place, and the elevation of the approved to life eternal, to shine as the stars for ever and ever. The time periods of the later part of Daniel 12 are fulfilled. Let us then endeavor to be among those accounted “wise” so that we may be associated with Daniel when he stands in his lot at the end of the days.
If the above interpretation is correct, then we have a continuous prophecy, without any gaps, from the time of Alexander to the coming of the Lord. Note, the phrase “The king of the North” occurs only in Daniel 11. It does not occur in Ezekiel 38, which prophecy almost certainly applies to a latter day invasion of God’s land by Russia. Daniel 11 and Ezekiel 38 refer to totally different happenings.
Jacob’s Prophecy in Gen 49 and Other Discussion Questions