The big news this week from the Middle East is, of course, the Turkish invasion of northern Syria.
In the post just before this one, I wrote that its significance was “nothing” in regards to the Second Signpost. Admittedly, this invasion could have possibly been a trigger for the Second Signpost (as some readers commented correctly), but I felt it was joining a growing list of past possible triggers that all turned out to be “nothing.” Iran will launch when it is ready.
This Turkish invasion of Syria joins the ranks of (1) ISIS’ conquest of Syrian and Iraqi territory, (2) Saudi attacks on the Houthis, (3) Israeli bombings of Iranian rocket positions in Syria, among other possible triggers. Even when Assad was hanging on by a thread in the midst of the Syrian Civil War, the IRGC did not start the Second Signpost and simply helped by sending units bolstering Assad’s army.
Yet, there has been a significance I wasn’t able to put my finger on until now.
A reader sent me a Fox news article about a dream Pastor Brunson had while in prison. He was put in prison by Turkish authorities for running a house church in Izmir, which was formerly named Smyrna (where one of the seven churches was located). His dream had to do with shifting alliances involving Turkey.
Pastor Andrew Brunson, center, at an airport in Turkey and being readied to fly to Germany. He led a house church in Izmir/Smyrna. AP photo
It was a reminder of all the things the Turkish government is displaying right now, and what conditions might be like living in the great Sunni confederacy of the Third Signpost, under the rule of the first and prominent horn of the goat.
I believe Turkish president Erdoğan, who is an Islamist, and the Turkish government is setting the tone.
First, other beliefs will not be tolerated. Not only will the goat attack the Shia power of Iran with a great, embittered, personal rage, Erdoğan is showing no tolerance for other beliefs now. A house church pastor is thrown into prison and given a mock trial. The ongoing invasion is reportedly hitting Christians, Yazidis, as well as the Kurds.
The leopard of Daniel 7:6 is given dominion which is authority to rule. “Dominion” in the Aramaic is shol-tawn, Strong’s #7985, and is also used in Daniel 4:22 about King Nebuchadnezzar’s dominion, and in Daniel 7:14 about Christ’s dominion. These refer to absolute rule. We can see today how someone like Erdoğan will rule if he were to have absolute dominion. His power has been growing since 2003. During the Third Signpost as the prominent horn he will rule as an absolute tyrant.
Second, even the hint of disobedience or rebellion will be crushed. Erdoğan not only defends the current territory of Turkey, but has ambitions to expand the territory to something like the former Ottoman Empire. For the last several years Erdoğan has been making sure the Kurds in his nation did not declare independence. What is more, he wants to make sure the Kurds in Turkey are not encouraged by the Kurds living in Syria or Iraq. I believe this is truly the main reason he is invading Syria to make war with the Kurds living there.
Third, Turkey will be its own power. Its “cozying” up to Russia and Iran (as Brunson saw in his dream), both traditional enemies for centuries, is temporary for now just as Iran is “cozying” a bit to Turkey. Turkey, leading the Sunni confederacy, will absolutely crush all power Iran has (remember, the ram’s horns are broken) and will rule the entire Middle East (except Israel) in the fashion of an empire. There will be no more Iran to cooperate with, as it will be a province of this new empire. This new Sunni empire will also be a threat to Russia’s southern flank.
Summary
The Turkish invasion of Syria seems like a major event. This major event is, I believe, significant for the Third Signpost, and not the Second. This invasion will likely not trigger the Second Signpost as past, similar events haven’t either. However, this invasion is indicative in part of the way the leopard will rule.
Categories: In The News, Signpost #3: Four Nations
THE FOUR SIGNPOSTS 
Sometimes I want things,like the signposts to happen quickly then I remind myself of Amos 5:18… when these things happens it will not be fun….
Very good analysis.
It also is a strong reminder that, whatever nation will be conquered by Iran, Turkey will not be one of them.
As of now I see two possibilities:
1. If the second signpost is not triggered by Turkey, but by something else; or because Iran just thinks the time is ripe, then: Iran will take Azerbaijan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the Arabian Peninsula – but not Turkey or area’s occupied by Turkey. Iran might think Turkey too strong, Turkey might think Iran too strong, and Turkey will gnash its teeth and not engage – yet.
Turkey then will wickedly wait patiently until Iran has attained its immediate objectives, has suffered losses, and has spread its forces over too much territory.
In this period, Turkey will prepare with all it’s might for the third signpost, mobilizing itself and any allies it can muster, until it is convinced itself is strong enough, and Iran weakened enough.
Then Turkey will crush the Iranian empire quickly, without too much damage to itself.
In this scenario, the third signpost will follow the second quickly. Some months in between at the most.
2. If the second signpost is triggered by Turkey, or if Iran does decide to attack Turkey together with the rest of the Sunni nations, Turkey is not victorious yet. It will be beaten but not conquered – some sort of armistice or truce will be made.
Then Turkey will need considerable time to recover and to prepare its counter attack.
In this scenario, there will be a considerable amount of time between the second and third signposts. Some years in between at least, and possibly many more.
One strategy that might help Iran beat / keep at bay Turkey in either scenario is that Iran suddenly starts defending the poor Kurds. After all, the last ever human friends of the Kurds, before the mountains were their only friends, were the Persians. That was a very successful friendship, in the times that the Medes lived in what is now Kurdistan. A time long before the Sunni/Shia split, long before Islam itself.
If the Kurds in Iran itself, in Iraq, in Syria and in Turkey are promised self rule, unification, and whatever; if only they stay neutral in the conflict, or even side with Iran, Turkey has a worsened version of the problem they are fighting already for years, and very openly now.
I am well aware that these speculations / ramblings of mine are on a different level from Mark’s cool and level headed analysis above, but I hope they are some useful food for thought even so.
Adamant,
Your “ramblings” are not very different. In DR I noted that the Ram will get as far west as the east shores of the Mediterranean – that can only suggest the eastern half of Turkey is invaded – at most. As I’ve said before, and you show now, we will have to wait and see.
“Iran will launch when it is ready.”
During Turkey’s latest incursion into Syria, Iran conducted unannounced war games near its border with Turkey:
https://www.islamicinvitationturkey.com/exc-iran-army-tests-combat-readiness-with-surprise-drills-near-turkey-border/
Iran may have the military readiness needed for an invasion. But does it have the disinformation skills needed to pull it off? On Friday, Iran conducted an exercise in disinformation. It claimed that there were missile attacks in the Red Sea on its oil tanker Sabiti. However, Reuters reporters found some embarrassing information relating to that claim: “The ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS), which gives its position, appeared to have been off for two months until transmissions resumed on Oct. 11, shortly after the incident. Refinitiv data showed the ship was off Iran’s Gulf coast in mid-August after passing through the Suez Canal in late July and early August. Tracking service Marine Traffic said on Twitter that, based on its information, including a NASA picture of the area and AIS data, ‘we do not see any smoke, fire, spills or tugboats. Instead, we see a tanker cruising home at a healthy speed.'”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-idUSKBN1WQ0G0/
Apparent clumsiness with disinformation could itself be part of a sophisticated plan of disinformation, making people think you are clumsier than you are.
Mike,
We are supposed to look for the day of the Lord to come quickly! Yes, it will be tough, but that’s our only hope in this messed up world. It’s when we hold onto this world system, that is when we are in trouble-as the hypocrites in Amos 5. We are not in darkness but sons light! 🙂
1st Th. 5:1-11,
5:1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
2nd Peter 3:10-18,
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
The first five photos were published by the Fars News Agency with articles claiming there were missile attacks on the Iranian oil tanker Sabiti. The dates and times are of the articles, not the photos. The sixth photo is from an article in Iran Front Page News.
Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:11
The coloring of the ship’s hull is not visible.
Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:44
Notice the dull brown (at the waterline) and black hull.
Fri Oct 11, 2019 12:43
Photo of a ship owned by National Iranian Tanker Company, not necessarily the Sabiti painted differently.
Fri Oct 11, 2019 1:35
A ship with its coloring obscured by mist.
Sat Oct 12, 2019 5:48
The coloring of the ship’s hull is not visible
October 13, 2019 – 06:49
Notice the bright copper color at the waterline and the gray color above it. Would a missile through the air strike below the waterline? Wouldn’t an explosion result in jagged metal and blackened areas?
These articles say that the two “explosions” several minutes apart did not set the oil on fire. Photos in articles about the Sabiti in some other publications show fire and smoke. But those photos were actually of oil tankers the IRGC had attacked months ago. Reuters reporters have doubted that the Sabiti was even damaged.
Agreed Mike. These things will be MUCH harder emotionally than we are ready for. The extreme heartbreak will contribute to widespread COLD hearts among the Church as Jesus warned. We will need Holy Spirit’s ministry more than ever.
It is now about a year until the presidential elections, I keep recalling the Obama/Biden presidency in forging a strong relationship with Erdogan and Turkey. Obama’s agenda was in wanting the Middle East to be more like Turkey and keeping Iran at bay with money drops. With all these factors, prophecy seems to indicated a Biden win next year. The Shia’s absolutely do not like modernization that Turkey has accepted to the degree that it has. Still really wondering if the elections next year will domino a lot of prophetic events….
https://www.wsj.com/articles/joe-biden-will-attempt-to-smooth-relations-with-turkey-1472027057
Gary,
I have to respectfully disagree about Biden attaining the presidency next election cycle. However, you are right in that in 2024 I do believe a democrat will win at that time. It has been suggested that a famous surname from the past will emerge to do just that and that will be Joe Kennedy. This name would not surface if there were not whispers of this being the case…if so, then prophecy will likely be accelerated…if Trump does win the next election cycle…I do feel, imo, prophecy may be delayed until the end of his 2nd term. However, prophecy watchers should be hopeful and expectant and not lose heart for God’s timing is perfect.
Blessings!
“Iran releases new photos of tanker attacked off Saudi coast”
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/10/14/608638/Iran-tanker-Saudi-Arabia/
The holes appear to be more punched in than punched in and blasted out. The bright copper color in a previous photo is not shown in these.
Here is my theory. As Turkey moved to invade Syria, Iran quickly conducted war games near Iran’s border with Turkey, hoping to get Turkey to stop its invasion. As Turkey’s invasion continued, someone in Iran got permission to stage a false distraction, hastily planned and poorly executed. The photos presented were selective in what they showed. The painted name of the ship and the holes in its side were never shown in one photo, which would be needed for an insurance claim. No photos of the claimed oil spill were shown. Suggestions that the supposed attack was by Saudi Arabia are absurd. Why would Saudi Arabia want an oil spill along its Red Sea coast? When the IRGC blasted holes in an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, that tanker was not yet loaded with oil.
Here is a Reuters video, 01:12 in length, on the Sabiti incident:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7ml13m
At 00:50 is a photo showing a hole in the hull, but of a different shape and in a different location than the two shown at:
Are these photos of the same ship? If they are, that would mean that there are three holes in it, instead of the two that Iran has previously claimed. Rouhani is now saying that the Sabiti “was hit by at least two rockets, and there is video footage of the incident.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-tanker-idUSKBN1WT1V1
One of Iran’s first reports on the incident stated that there were two explosions October 11 at 5:00 and 5:20 AM:
https://ifpnews.com/explosion-sets-iranian-oil-tanker-on-fire-near-saudi-arabia
Hey,
did you all read this? Pretty interesting. Nuclear bombs anyone? Crazy!
https://www.foxnews.com/world/turkey-nuclear-bombs-hostage-syria
I am inclined to have the same sentiment Julie, but keep I keep pondering more on the timing of matters. Trump narrowly won states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in 2016. They proved decisive. The current polling in these states like Wisconsin have Biden leading strongly even by 10 percent in head-to head match ups with Biden. I rarely find someone that dislikes Trump in Texas but when I do its blatant and about his caustic personality and his past womanizing. They will also mentioned that they are afraid of him leading us into WWIII. Also, in some latest reports tariffs is intruding and affecting some jobs due to inflation. 300 auto jobs were lost in Michigan this past year due to steel costs going up. I will say that if the Biden does win, it will be a tight win and believe his numbers will be under 50%. Also Trump could even have more popular voters for him in this next election and but still lose due to the states that flipped red from him last time not pulling for him this time around. Biden has apparently rebounded from the Ukrainian story. He is pulling back ahead of Warren. It will be a nail-biter next year for both parties. Thinking it will be Trump 266 to Biden 272.
I will add that Trump’s arrogant plan for a two state solution will be his downfall. As McTernan and Koenig have noted what America has done to Israel, it will be done to them. Our country will fall further into a cultural civil war with a Biden win. I even think the House could even possibly flip back to a slight Republican lead in seats. I am still uncertain on that one but they will gain back seats. People have had it with those like AOC and Omar. The cultural civil war will prove to be too much of a distraction and vulnerability for the US during those four years. I am posting this not to be negative but presenting this as a possibility so as to be mentally prepared for the possible prophetically related scenario. A Biden win will also sink Wall Street and cause oil prices to go up.