While the world’s attention is fixed on the Iranian regime, another nation with leadership just as wicked and bent on the destruction of Israel is flying largely under the radar of scrutiny.
Turkey, a member of NATO, has a vast track record of antisemitism—praising the Iranian proxy-led massacre on October 7th, hosting Hamas terrorists, threatening to invade the Jewish State, and even publicly expressing the desire to acquire nuclear weapons. Some Military experts have gone so far as to brand the nation “the new Iran,” expressing concerns over Turkish President Erdogan’s thirst for power and radical anti-Israel rhetoric.
Turkey’s interior minister recently sparked criticism for promising to “liberate” Jerusalem from Israel.
“Just as in the past, those lands will be ours once again. Allah willing, they will come under our sovereignty and dominion once more,” he vowed, referring to the control held under the fallen Ottoman Empire, “because we have a global leader like [Turkish President] Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at our helm. A world leader.”
Netanyahu, earlier this month, called Erdogan an “antisemitic dictator,” highlighting his support for terrorism, genocide against minorities, and brutal actions against dissenting voices within Turkey.
On Wednesday, President Trump took a mixed position, stating that he had thwarted Turkish plans to join Iran in attacking Israel during the war, while simultaneously praising Erdogan as a “great leader” and signaling the upcoming approval to sell F-35 fighter jets to the nation—a sale that was previously barred due to Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system in 2019.
The danger posed by Turkey is not theoretical to those who hold a Biblical worldview. Through the book of Ezekiel, chapters 38-39, we know that when the leadership in Turkey threatens to invade the Jewish State, we should take them at their word. The prophet Ezekiel details an alliance already vividly formed in our world today, comprised of Turkey, Iran, Russia, and others. God’s Word states that this dark coalition will wage a future attack on the modern state of Israel, attempting an invasion from the north.
While this attack has not yet occurred, the shifting pieces are moving into place, just as God’s Word described, leaping from today’s headlines in astonishing fashion. A mutual hunger for regional control and hatred of Israel continues to tighten the cooperation between Turkey, Iran, and Russia—with two of the three openly stating their intention to wipe Israel off the map.
Another facet of Ezekiel 38-39 worth noting is Israel’s isolation during the future attack. The chapters speak of the nation of Israel standing alone on the world scene, with even the United States neglecting to come to Israel’s defense. While President Trump has taken extraordinary steps in favor of Israel in his first and second terms, recent tensions surrounding Iran and the growing anti-Israel positions gaining traction in America suggest that the US-Israel relationship may be on the brink of waning.
While we don’t know all the elements that will ultimately bring about the precise circumstances of this Ezekiel war, we do know as Christians that it is not all bad news. Will bad actors become further emboldened? Yes. Will Israel stand against an army with no friends to come to her aid? Yes. But that is not the end of the story.
In an awe-inspiring turn of events, Ezekiel 38-39 describes the shattering defeat of Turkey, Iran, and Russia, not as a result of Israel’s military might, but by the direct and spectacular intervention of God. In that day, not only will God’s chosen people be rescued, but the “eyes of many nations” will recognize that these were the actions of almighty God (Ezekiel 38:23).
