In December of 2017, the state-run Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak ran an article calling for a united “army of Islam” to invade Israel. More recently, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the undisputed capital of the Jewish State, and has even said that Muslims should embrace the cause of Jerusalem “to the death.”
By all accounts, Turkey has now emerged as one of the primary antagonists of Israel in the Middle East, which may come as a surprise to many people. Historically, Turkey has been an ally of Israel and the U.S., and one of the more “moderate” Muslim nations in the world, with a western-style democracy.
Turkey’s friendlier posture towards Israel began to shift in the late 1990s and early 2000s. At this time, the Islamic factions in Turkey gained a firmer foothold in Turkish politics, which eventually led to the election of now President Erdogan to the Prime Minister’s office in 2002. Erdogan is a fundamentalist Sunni Muslim through and through. He disdains democracy. One of his primary goals is to re-establish Turkey as the leader of a revived Ottoman Islamic Empire. Since coming to power, Erdogan has systematically silenced, jailed, or executed most of his opponents in the military, media, business sector and in academia.
Many of these recent developments in Turkey are a bit unsettling. Nevertheless, it is still important to recognize that the rise of Turkey as a global power does harmonize with certain key Bible prophecies related to what will take place in the Middle East before the return of Yeshua. In Ezekiel 38-39 Ezekiel specifically predicted that Turkey would become one of the primary geopolitical enemies of Israel in the last days.
Many people are familiar with Ezekiel 38-39. They know this prophecy speaks of a military invasion of Israel led by a figure known as “Gog of the land of Magog.” Unfortunately however, many prophecy teachers today erroneously connect Gog to Russia. Part of the reason for this is because in both the New American Standard and New King James versions of the Bible, “Gog” is not only said to come from “the land of Magog,” but is also further described as “the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal” (Ez. 38:2). Because the word “Rosh” sounds similar to Russia, and because “Meshech and Tubal” sound similar to the Russian cities Moscow and Tobolsk, it has often been assumed in conservative prophecy circles that Gog must be a Russian.
In reality however, most scholars now recognize that Ezekiel 38:2 actually describes Gog as the “chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” not the “prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” In other words, the Hebrew term rosh, which means, “head, chief, or foremost,” is modifying Gog’s title as a prince (nasi). It is not the name of a particular place, which in turn, rules out any possible association between Gog and Russia. The idea that Gog is actually the “chief (rosh) prince (nasi) of Meshech and Tubal” is found in the ESV, NIV, HCSB, TLV and JPS translations of the Bible.
Now that the association between Gog and Russia has mostly fallen out of favor among scholars, there is near unanimous agreement in scholarly Bible commentaries and Bible atlases that in Ezekiel’s day, Magog, Meshech and Tubal were all located in what is now modern Turkey. For example:
This critical prophecy in Ezekiel 38-39 may explain why Turkey has recently become one of the primary enemies of Israel on the world stage. Now of course, we do not want to jump to conclusions and say that Erdogan must be Gog! However, those of us with an interest in the signs of the times should definitely keep a close eye on Turkey. Based on Ezekiel’s prophecy, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that key prophetic events will transpire in Turkey in the days ahead.
Turkey, a nation that occupies a crucial geographic location between Europe and Asia, has a captivating history that is deeply interwoven with biblical events. Though not directly mentioned in the Bible by its modern name, the land that is now Turkey played a significant role in both the Old and New Testaments. Delving into what Turkey was called in biblical times provides illuminating insights into scriptural history.
The Diverse Biblical Names for the Land of Turkey
The Bible refers to Turkey using various ancient names, reflecting the different cultures and kingdoms that held sway over this strategic region throughout antiquity. During Old Testament times, a number of biblical figures sojourned in places that are now part of Turkey. For instance, Abraham and his family settle in Haran in southeastern Turkey before migrating to Canaan (Genesis 11:31). The apostle Paul’s hometown, Tarsus, was located in what was then the Roman province of Cilicia, now southern Turkey.
The New Testament contains over a dozen references to provinces that made up ancient Turkey, including Galatia, Pamphylia, Phrygia, Cappadocia, Pontus, Bithynia, Lycia, Pisidia, Mysia, Caria, Lydia, and Cilicia. The apostle Peter addresses Christians living in these Roman provinces in his first epistle (1 Peter 1:1). The book of Acts also chronicles the missionary travels of Paul and his companions through cities like Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium in ancient Turkey.
Clearly biblical authors were well acquainted with this region even if it was known by other names at the time.
Jewish Communities Flourished in Ancient Turkey
Beginning in the 8th century BC, the Assyrian empire deported large populations of Jews to resettle them in Anatolia, the ancient name for the geographical area making up most of modern Turkey. Further Jewish migration occurred under the Seleucid dynasty around 240 BC when thousands of Jewish families were encouraged to settle in Phrygia and Lydia, the western and central parts of Turkey. By the 1st century AD, ancient sources document the presence of substantial Jewish communities across Anatolia. The apostle Paul and his family were likely among the Jews resettled in Tarsus during the Seleucid era.
The book of Acts refers to the port city of Adramyttium on Turkey’s Aegean coast, demonstrating that biblical events took place in specific Anatolian locations. Though archaeological evidence is scant, synagogues probably existed in cities like Sardis, Priene, and Andriace during New Testament times. Turkey’s Jewish settlements played a vital role in shaping the region’s cultural landscape in antiquity.
Turkey Was the Cradle of Early Christianity
In the decades following Jesus’s ministry Turkey became a hub for the nascent Christian movement. The apostle Paul was born in Tarsus and conducted missionary journeys across southern Anatolia planting many early churches. The New Testament books of Galatians, Colossians, and Ephesians consist of letters written by Paul to churches located in what is now Turkey.
Around 43-44 AD, Paul and Barnabas traveled inland from their home church in Syrian Antioch to the cities of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium in south-central Turkey. Here, they preached the gospel, made many converts, and established new churches. Later, the apostle John likely spent his final years living in Ephesus on Turkey’s western coast. From this city, he possibly wrote his gospel, letters, and the apocalyptic Book of Revelation with its messages to the seven churches of Asia Minor—all situated in western Turkey.
The Seven Churches of Revelation Where the Early Church Flourished
The Book of Revelation contains specific messages addressed to seven important churches located in first-century Roman Asia (western Turkey):
Ephesus – Known as the most prominent city in Asia, it was an influential center of early Christianity where the apostle Paul spent over two years preaching and where the apostle John likely spent his final years.
Smyrna – A large ancient city and seaport that had one of the earliest Christian communities established by the apostle Paul.
Pergamon – An ancient Greek city that was an important regional Roman capital where a thriving church community existed.
Thyatira – Home to an early church community mentioned in the book of Acts and the smallest of the seven cities addressed in Revelation.
Sardis – An important commercial hub where one of the earliest Christian groups in Asia Minor was established.
Philadelphia – A center of Greek culture and language that had a small but enduring church mentioned in Revelation.
Laodicea – A prosperous ancient city near Colossae with a church that drew a rebuke in Revelation for being lukewarm in faith.
Archaeological remnants of several of these church sites can still be visited today in western Turkey, bringing biblical history to life.
Delving Into Turkey’s Biblical Heritage
A closer investigation reveals Turkey’s integral, though often overlooked, place in the biblical narrative. From Jewish communities displaced to Anatolia to saints like Paul and John ministering in thriving first-century churches, Turkey was an essential cradle of early Christianity. Exploring the historical sites and cities mentioned from Acts to Revelation paints a fuller picture of the rich scriptural heritage of this land that bridges two continents. The biblical history of Turkey waits to be rediscovered by the intrepid traveler.
What role will Turkey play in biblical end time events?
FAQ
What is Turkey called in the Bible?
What land was Turkey in the Bible?
What was Turkey called in ancient times?
What was Turkey before it was Turkey?
Why was Turkey important in Biblical times?
Turkey, known as Asia Minor in biblical times, was a crossroad of civilizations and a center of trade in the ancient world. The biblical events that took place in this land are often overlooked, but they played a crucial role in shaping biblical history.
Is Turkey mentioned in the Bible?
Although Turkey is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, there are references to specific locations within the land that is now Turkey. The mention of Adramyttium in Acts 27:2 serves as an example of how biblical events were connected to specific regions in ancient Turkey. Turkey played a pivotal role in the early Christian movement.
Why is Turkey a good place to study biblical history?
Turkey is home to numerous historical sites that have ties to biblical events and figures. From the ancient city of Ephesus, where Paul and John preached, to the ruins of ancient churches scattered throughout the country, these sites offer a unique opportunity to trace biblical history in Turkey.
What are some biblical sites in Turkey?
Aside from the seven churches and Ephesus, there are numerous other biblical sites scattered throughout Turkey. The city of Antioch (now Antakya) was an important center for early Christianity, and the Apostle Paul preached here.