What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Ottoman Empire in the Prophecy of Revelation 9"
Answer
The Adventist writings interpret the ninth chapter of Revelation as a prediction of the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, which emerged from the Mahomian system. The fifth trumpet describes the unification of the Mahomian tribes under Othman at the end of the 13th century and a 150‑year persecution of the Greek Empire. With the sixth trumpet began a prophetic period of 391 years and 15 days, whose end Josiah Litch predicted for August 1840, which should mark the downfall of Ottoman sovereignty.
Application of the Trumpets to the Turks
»The disputed prophecy is found in chapter 9 of Revelation. This chapter is, by general consensus, applied to the Mahomian religion and the Ottoman government, since it arose from the Mahomian system.«
Othman as Founder of the Empire
»After Muhammad's death, his followers were split into various factions under multiple leaders. They remained in this state until the end of the 13th century. Then they were united under a government led by Othman, the founder of the Ottoman or Turkish Empire. The founder of the government as well as the government itself were aptly described as being called Abaddon or Apollyon, a destroyer.«
Prophetic Periods and the Fall of the Empire
»But the duration of their rule over the Greek Empire is limited to “an hour,” 15 days; “and a day,” one year; “and a month,” 30 years; “and a year,” 360 years; the whole adds up to 391 years and 15 days. ... If the starting point for the periods was the first Ottoman attack on the Greeks on July 27, 1299, then the entire period will end in August 1840.«
General Consensus of the Interpreters
»There is hardly any such uniform agreement among interpreters regarding any part of the Apocalypse as there is concerning the application of the fifth and sixth trumpets or the first and second woes to the Saracens and Turks. It is so obvious that it can hardly be misunderstood.«
Political Implications and Signs of the Times
»All observers of the signs of the times must acknowledge that, given the current manifestations in the Eastern world, nothing unlikely about the notion that Turkish power will fall during the current year. If this occurs, we will receive another demonstration of the fulfillment of prophetic periods...«
- Ottoman Empire Revelation 9
- Josiah Litch 1840 Prophecy
- Fifth and Sixth Trumpet Turks
Original Sources (English)
