Two trains on a collision course

by Michael G. Mickey

(10-11-06)

In Bible prophecy we're told of a future invasion attempt that will take place against the nation of Israel in the last days. We commonly refer to this event as the Gog-Magog invasion or attack. It is described in Ezekiel 38 & 39 and will see the following nations gather and descend on Israel "as a cloud to cover the land" (Ezekiel 38:16):

• Magog - Most agree this is a reference to Russia.
• Meshech - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia, but some say it refers to the Moscow area.
• Tubal - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia.
• Persia - modern Iran
• Ethiopia
• Libya
• Gomer - eastern Europe or Turkey
• Togarmah - southeastern Europe or Turkey

In today's commentary, I want to highlight an opinion article featured in The Daily Star by former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer entitled "Turkey and Europe: two trains about to collide." Particularly, I want to discuss how what Fischer believes may take place is more than likely going to occur, leading us closer to the prophesied Gog-Magog invasion attempt to come.

In this commentary, I'm going to use a number of excerpts from Fischer's article, which will appear in italic type, and then comment on his insights as they may relate to Bible prophecy.

Fischer wrote:

By intervening in Lebanon, Europeans have made a far-reaching, risk-fraught, and, at the same time, correct decision. The reason is that the future of Europe's security will be determined in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Europe, whether it likes it or not, has taken on a new, strategic role in the region. Should it fail, the price will be high.

In Bible prophecy, we find that a revived Roman empire will exist in the last days. One does in the form of the European Union - a 25-member coalition of nations that will grow to 27 members in January of 2007. This revived Roman empire, which the prophet Daniel tells us in Daniel 7:23 will devour the whole earth, is growing so quickly (and quietly), that many in Europe fail to realize what a monstrosity it has become, as seen in an EUBusiness.com article that indicates only 23% of Europeans, on average, know the EU is comprised of 25 member nations.

As Fischer points out, many in the EU believe the future of Europe's security will be determined in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. As such, the EU has taken on a new strategic role in the region - one of peacekeeping, which places us closer to the advent of the Antichrist as described in Daniel 9. I want to set that matter aside, however, as this commentary, as noted earlier, is dedicated to demonstrating how present trends are leading us toward Gog-Magog.

Fischer wrote:

Safeguarding Europe's interests today means establishing a strong link - indeed an unbreakable bond - with Turkey as a cornerstone of regional security. So it is astonishing that Europe is doing exactly the opposite: firmly closing its eyes to the strategic challenge posed by Turkey.

Successful modernization and democratization of Turkey - with a strong civil society, the rule of law, and a modern economy - will not only be hugely beneficial for the country, but will also export stability and serve as a model for transformation in the Islamic world. Above all, the successful modernization of a large Muslim country will make a decisive contribution to Europe's security.

Fischer believes the EU needs to establish an unbreakable bond with Turkey as it could lead to a transformation in the Islamic world yet, in his own words, he is astonished by the fact that the EU isn't doing that. To be sure, as we see in his own words, he thinks it's a big mistake. The next two excerpts of Fischer's opinion article are separated by a number of paragraphs, all of which are interesting, but I want to place these two side-by-side as they paint a picture of where I believe we're swiftly headed in relation to the EU's relationship with Turkey.

Fischer wrote:

This autumn, the European Commission is scheduled to issue a progress report on accession negotiations with Turkey. A dangerous situation may well emerge, as this report threatens to derail the whole process.

............

And what perspective would Turkey have outside the EU? Pan-Turkish illusions? A return to the Orient and to Islam? None of these will work. But Turkey will not sit idly on Europe's doorstep. Europe's attitude is pushing Turkey toward forging alliances with its traditional regional rivals: Russia and Iran. These three powers, each of great importance to Europe, have been rivals for many centuries. So an alliance between them would seem a near impossibility. Yet Europe seems bent on achieving the impossible, to the Continent's detriment.

Tensions, as I've reported on a number of occasions, are running very high between Turkey and the EU in relation to Turkey's EU bid. It has never once bothered me that was true because, as we look at the players to be involved in the Gog-Magog attack listed above, there seems no chance whatsoever that Turkey is going to gain entry into the EU. As we look at Bible prophecy, we see that these two lovebirds don't seem to have a future together, as I noted extensively in a commentary in April of 2005 that looked back as far as 2004. Two full years later, things are no better than then. In fact, as the title of Joschka Fischer's article suggests, Turkey and the EU appear to be two trains ready to collide. If they do, the whole EU-Turkey relationship is going to derail, "pushing Turkey toward forging alliances with its traditional regional rivals: Russia and Iran."

Turkey, Russia, and Iran allied? Who would've guessed THAT would ever happen? The prophet Ezekiel, for one.

Keep looking up, Christians!

The prophetic scenario is becoming more clear by the day and you know what that means!

SEE ALSO: Jews at Risk as Turkey Goes Radical