Multiple times in Scripture we run across this phrase “the times of the Gentiles.” It’s odd, but it reveals one of the most measurable signs of the last days. One of these is in Luke 21:24,

“They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Luke 21:24

This Scripture refers to the midpoint of the last seven years when the Antichrist declares himself to be God (Abomination of desolation) and kills many Jews.

We see an even more descriptive mention of this “times of the Gentiles” in Paul’s epistle to Rome,

“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Romans 11:25

God provides through Paul that there is a “times of the Gentiles,” and that time will come to an end. You can also see how it is closely related to the central role of Israel. The previous signs go hand in hand with this one.

Like nearly every prophetic statement in the New Testament, there is an Old Testament precedence. God gives us a timeline of the “times of the Gentiles”. In Daniel 2, we find the vision of a statue. It’s revealed that each section of the statue represents an empire that would rule over the land of Babylon from that moment until the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom or as we know now the Second Coming of Jesus. Daniel 2 closes by saying that these are the “times of those kings”. Which kings? The ones ruling in the times of the Gentiles. In Daniel 7, there is a parallel vision of Daniel 2, which concludes with,

“These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.” Daniel 7:17-18

We are given the first three kingdoms that would rule the land of Babylon in this time of the Gentiles. The first is Babylon, the second the Medes and Persians, and the third is the Grecian empire of Alexander. In the Book of Daniel, we are not given the fourth which disappears and comes back. Regardless of which final empire will rule the land of Babylon, we see that the first three came to pass in a 450-year period which ended over 2,200 years ago. That alone points to the fact that we are way down the timeline. When it comes to that last empire, there are two prevailing theories—the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire (Islamic Caliphate). Regardless, of which one you hold to, both have already passed. The Roman Empire passed 1,400 years ago in the west and nearly 600 years ago in the east. The Ottoman Empire ended 100 years ago. According to the timeline in Daniel 2, only a revival of this past empire keeps the “times of the Gentiles” from ending.

We believe the final empire will be a revived Ottoman Empire ( Muslim Caliphate) and evidence of this rising can be seen in the Arab Spring of 2011. Two instances to show the fulfillment of this sign are ISIS and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s goal to revive the previous Turkey-led Ottoman Empire.

Turkish President Erdogan poses with Ottoman era soldiers in front of a monument dedicated to a revived Ottoman Empire

Between 1299-1923 the Turkish-ruled Ottoman Empire conquered territory from western Europe to India. The revival of the Turkish-ruled Ottoman Empire marks the end time, and Turkish President Erdogan is ambitiously rebuilding it. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the failed military coup in Turkey, Erdogan has erected a giant statue commemorating the rise again of the Ottoman Empire. He also hinted at the reunification of all Islamic nations under Turkish rule. Tek Devlet “One State” the image read. Sounds like the tower of Babylon all over again. Please notice that this statue does not honor the god of Islam but it does honor the god of Turkish military conquest (the god of forces). Daniel talks of the Antichrist honouring the God of forces.

“But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.” Daniel 11:38

Could Erdogan be the Antichrist? It is a possibility but only time will tell. Watch as Jesus told us to watch, as the prophesied end times signs unfold.