From Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin:

After years of being refused entry into the European Union, Turkey is losing interest and is looking eastward where it has many friends. And it is seeking to reassert the influence it once held in traditionally Turkic countries, according to a report in Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

Formally, Ankara remains committed to joining the EU, but the idea of joining has lost much of its appeal after years of rejection and additional European demands to repeatedly prove that it is worthy.

In the same commentary it is noted that Turkey "has made efforts to develop better relations with Arab states and such other countries as Russia, Syria and Iraq – and even Armenia, a traditional foe."

Along with the above, EUBusiness.com is reporting, in part:

"Turkey on Tuesday opened another chapter in its long and torturous quest to join the European Union, urging its future partners to drop political considerations and "play the game by its rules"."

Turkey's frustration with the EU is becoming more and more apparent and when we couple that with the above, examining these current news stories through the lens of bible prophecy, it's a sight to behold if ever there was one.

Turkey's Future

Which nations does Ezekiel 38-39 tell us Turkey will engage in a surprise attack on Israel we commonly refer to as the battle of Gog-Magog alongside?

• Magog - Most agree this is a reference to Russia.
• Meshech - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia, but some say it refers to the Moscow area.
• Tubal - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia.
• Persia - modern Iran
• Ethiopia
• Libya
• Gomer - eastern Europe or Turkey
• Togarmah - southeastern Europe or Turkey

Make no mistake about it, Christians, the prophetic stage is being set for fulfillment before our very eyes. Not only that, let's remember that Gog-Magog is a last days event according to Ezekiel 38:8.

Additional item of interest

Stirring the hornet's nest in Turkey-EU relations, The Telegraph is reporting that French president Nicolas Sarkozy, in a recent major policy speech, said the Islamic burqa "will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic." This, I imagine, is probably not sitting well with Turkey's mostly Muslim population.

In response to Sarkozy's speech, Al Qaeda's North Africa wing has threatened France with attack, according to YnetNews which quoted the terrorist group as stating:

"We will take revenge for the honor of our daughters and sisters against France and against its interests by every means at our disposal."

Should France, a nation already openly opposed to Turkey gaining full membership in the European Union, become the victim of an Al Qaeda terrorist attack of any significance, current tensions between Ankara and the EU may reach the boiling point at a time like this when Turkey's leadership is likely already suspicious that the biggest obstacle they face in becoming a full member of the EU is the religion of the majority of its people, something for us to bear in mind as we watch God's prophetic scenario unfolding in the news of our world today.

Keep hoping for the blessed hope

Keep looking up, faithful Church! There is more reason for us to hope for the return of Jesus Christ to occur in our lifetimes than any generation before us, both as a result of the natural passage of time and current conditions in our world that place the fulfillment of end times prophecy within view on the prophetic horizon.