Turkey said on Saturday that its fighter jets hit militant camps of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq overnight, and Turkish ground forces struck the PKK and Islamic State fighters in
Source: Turkey hits Kurdish militant camps in northern Iraq | Reuters
This attack by Turkey is significant. It is the first by Turkey against the Islamic State (ISIS). Not only is Turkey taking an active role against ISIS in the attack, but the article states it is opening its airbases to U.S. forces which will greatly expand the ability of the U.S to continue its air assault against ISIS.
Where might we find this escalation in Bible prophecy? I have posted previously that ISIS fits many of the characteristics found in Daniel 11. Here are some of those prior posts.
Daniel 11:45 and the Islamic State
Will ISIS succeed in its jihad? Considering Graeme Wood’s Response
Here is how Turkey might fit in Daniel 11:
“But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many. 45 “And he will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him. –Daniel 11:44-45 (NASB)
Iran is from the East. Turkey is from the North. The text says they will “disturb him” — not destroy him. It seems as if all that Iran and Turkey will do to ISIS is aggravate him. Yet, notice the last phrase in 11:45, “…he will come to his end, and no one will help him.” ISIS will ultimately be defeated. The call of Caliph Baghdadi will no longer be heard the world over by jihadis. We have a way to go before that happens. ISIS has not yet “pitched the tents of his royal pavilion [his black flag] in the Gaza Strip (between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain). The NIV translation interprets the Hebrew differently: “… between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain.” The NIV leads to an interpretation that Jerusalem will be taken by the Daniel 11 power. I cannot see ISIS taking Jerusalem. Iran perhaps, but not ISIS. If ISIS is the correct interpretation as that power then verse 45 should be interpreted as the Gaza Strip (HAMAS), not Jerusalem.
By the way, what church do you go to? The Scriptures not only warn us of the events of the last days, but encourage us to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth with other believers (Matthew 18:20 NASB). Hard to do that sitting in your living room watching your favorite TV preacher. God has blessed His church and when they worship together, we more completely experience His presence and experience His call upon our lives (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB). Go enjoy God on Sunday!
Jesus come quickly.
Blessings.
Jack
I have so appreciated your last two posts. Thank you for your insight and guidance in helping to understand these complicated world events and their connection to prophecy. Please keep them coming. God Bless.
On the ground, the US administration knew full well that the PKK – the ONLY effective ground force so far in this conflict, and aided by the US! – could succeed in battling IS only as long as they did not threaten Turkey (their bitter enemy) by capturing territory close to Turkey and held by IS. Now we see this played out as Turkey hits the PKK which is being rewarded with nothing for fighting IS. PKK wants an independent Kurdistan. Well, the Kurds have been the good guys in the battle against IS. Now they are being trashed because Turkey is a member of NATO and they have no backers in the UN. It’s pathetic.