Recent statements from Turkish leaders are drawing renewed attention from those who follow both Middle East geopolitics and biblical prophecy. During a recent episode of MidEast & Beyond, Israeli analyst Amir Tsarfati discussed these developments in conversation with U.S.-based pastor Barry Stagner, connecting current events to long-standing prophetic texts.
Once a secular NATO ally of Israel, Turkey has increasingly adopted rhetoric pointing toward regional dominance and religious leadership, particularly concerning Jerusalem.
“For the longest time, Turkey was a secular country,” Tsarfati said, explaining that this trajectory shifted after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rose to power. “More and more we hear that the Turks are no longer interested in staying in Turkey, but they want to go back to their role in the Ottoman Empire.”
Jerusalem and Neo-Ottoman Ambitions
That shift has included explicit references to Jerusalem. Tsarfati pointed to recent remarks from Turkish political figures suggesting that Muslim leaders who historically controlled Damascus also went on to control Jerusalem. Erdogan himself, he said, has spoken openly about wanting to pray in Jerusalem “as a liberator.”
The rhetoric follows Turkey’s growing influence in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, fueling speculation that Ankara views Damascus as a stepping stone to broader regional authority.
“These are not fringe voices,” Tsarfati said. “This is language coming from the heart of Turkish political discourse.”
Alignment With Iran Raises Alarms
Tsarfati also highlighted Turkey’s increasingly open alignment with Iran, including public praise for Tehran’s handling of domestic protests.
“Erdogan actually complimented the Iranian regime and the way they handled the protests,” Tsarfati said, describing it as endorsement of a crackdown that left tens of thousands of civilians dead.
At the same time, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned against any military strike on Iran, urging negotiations and positioning Turkey as a mediator between Tehran and Washington. Tsarfati noted that cooperation between Sunni-led Turkey and Shiite-led Iran would have been unthinkable decades ago.
Why Students of Prophecy Are Paying Attention
For those familiar with Scripture, Tsarfati said these developments echo Ezekiel 38, which describes a future coalition led from the far north that includes Persia and regions many scholars associate with modern Turkey.
“Turkey is identified as Gomer and the house of Togarmah,” Tsarfati said, noting that the passage places Turkey alongside Iran in a coordinated attack against Israel.
“Turkey for expansion and honor, Iran for revenge, Russia for energy,” he said. “Everyone has their own reason, but they will put aside their differences.”
Direction, Not Dates
Tsarfati stressed that these developments do not establish a timeline, but they do suggest alignment.
“I’m not sure we will see these exact leaders attack Israel,” he said. “But I am sure these types of regimes will still be there when it happens.”
Stagner added that biblical prophecy provides clarity rather than fear. “If God said it, that settles it,” he said. “We’re not watching chaos. We’re watching convergence.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
