Those of us who have been watching political events from the prophetical
standpoint, have seen during the last thirty years the steady drying up
of that overflowing river which once flooded Europe. Turkey’s fate we
knew to be certain, but there were fluctuations so we had to be patient.
Two years ago when writing the Foreword and notes to the first reprint of
this little book, I drew attention to the “amazing collapse” of Turkey’s
power “during the last few months.” Half a year later it seemed as if
only a thread of littoral would be left to Turkey in Europe; then came a
certain apparent return of vigour as when the ebbing tide sends back a
wave that seems to claim once more part of the dominion it had lost; just
in the same way Turkey regained some of the territory wrested from it
during the Balkan War, and we who were watching wondered for how long
this would be.
One year and a half has passed and now it really seems as if the clock
had struck. Only a few days ago the daily papers told the world that
Turkey, deluded, or bribed, or both, had thrown in her lot with Germany.
In a leading article dated Nov. 2, “The Times” summed up the matter
thus—“Whatever may be the immediate consequences of Turkish intervention,
there is a general consensus of opinion throughout the world that it
means the end of Turkey.” Bible students grasped the situation at once
recognizing the immense significance of the event, and on the same day at
the C.M.S. Anniversary at Exeter I pointed out the overwhelming
importance of this intelligence, in connection with Missionary work, the
future of the Jewish Nation and our Lord’s Return. I have heard from
Jerusalem of the keen excitement of the Jews there, and of the hope often
expressed that England would take action on their behalf. The secular
press in many quarters is already suggesting that the Allies at the
conclusion of the War might well establish the Jews in Palestine as a
buffer-state; this is exactly what some of us have for many years pointed
out, from the study of prophecy, as a likely solution of the near Eastern
question. Perhaps, it may be so—God’s promises unfold very quickly when
the time for their appearance is ripe. Our business is to watch and
pray, giving the Lord no rest till He establish and until He make
Jerusalem a praise on the earth, and above all constantly sending forth
the cry of His waiting Church—“even so, come Lord Jesus.”