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This article explores the symbolic significance of the sixth vial in relation to the decline and fall of the Turkish/Ottoman Empire, represented by the drying-up of the River Euphrates. It discusses the historical context, including the growth of the Turkish Empire, the weakening of the empire through wars and independence movements, and the eventual collapse. The article also delves into the biblical symbolism of "waters" and "kings of the east," highlighting the connection to immortality and the return of Christ.
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The Sixth Vial -The River Euphrates. • 16:12 Sixth Vial affects same geographical area as that of fifth Trumpet. • Euphrates stands symbolically for the power through which it flows - the Turkish Empire. • The flood of invaders under fifth Trumpet eventually formed basis of Turkish Empire symbolised by River Euphrates in sixth Vial.
Growth of Turkish/Ottoman Empire. • Turkish Empire extended deep into Europe, occupied part of southern Russia, dominated all of Middle East, ruled over Egypt, Arabia and extended throughout North Africa.
Drying-up of Turkey. • During 19th century nations gained independence and wars - for example Crimean War - weakened Empire further. • By first world war, Turkey had “dried up” such that she was reduced to a limited zone around Constantinople and Adrianople. • Balfour Declaration of 1917 opened the doors of Palestine to Jewish exiles. • Further stages expected in “drying-up.”
Fall of Babylon. • Symbology of sixth Vial based on overthrow of literal Babylon by Persian King Cyrus. • Cyrus diverted course of Euphrates flowing through Babylon - entered city by dried-up watercourse. • Actual triumph of Cyrus typical of how Christ will overcome ‘Babylon’ - through partially dried up Euphrates = Turkey.
‘Waters’ & ‘Water’ in Revelation. • 17:15 The symbol of watersis used for peoples, and multitudes and nations and tongues. • In the singular, water represents military power, “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” 12:15. • Demise of Ottoman Empire is described as the drying up of the water of the river.
Kings of the East. • Literally “kings who are out of a sun’s risings...” • Those to be granted immortality at return of Christ. • 5:10 To be kings and priests, who are associated with the rising of the “Sun of Righteousness - will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom.”
Out of a Sun’s Risings. • The Kings of the east (Gr. Anatole helios) lit “kings who are out of a sun’s risings” – are those granted immortality at the Resurrection. • “And hast made us unto our God Kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10. • That is –to be associated with the rising of the sun of righteousness.
Sun of Righteousness. 2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall…and they shall shine forth as the sun in that Kingdom…” Mal 4.
Righteous Shine Forth. • 43 “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father”. Matt 13
Joseph Mede 1586 – 1638. • Why should not now this Euphrates of the vials, by the same reason be understood as the Turks?…
George Stanley Faber 1805. • Let us only advert to the present state of the Turkish power, and we shall be convinced, that for some years the symbolic Euphratean waters have been gradually drying up. The approaching termination indeed of the Ottoman Empire is so manifest … its extinction cannot be far distant.
