TSIYON NEWS - Muslim rivalry in Prophecy
Tsiyon Messianic Radio Newsletter - Vol 20.05 - 12/07/6024 TAM - 02/05/2025 AD
From Eliyahu
The book of Daniel foretells major political and military developments starting with ancient Babylon, followed by Persia, Greece, Rome, and major political and military events right down to the Latter Days, that is, the final generation of this Age. Virtually all of these prophecies about nations and world powers concern those countries and kingdoms that are most impactful on Israel, the chosen nation of YHWH. Not only that, but these prophecies unfold a prophetic order of events that help us to know where we are in the stream of time. This becomes evermore critical the closer to the End of the Age that we get, due to the fact that some of these upcoming events require Yah's people to recognize them in prophecy so as to avoid untoward consequences. When major changes occur on the world stage involving Israel it behooves us to review the prophetic picture to see how those changes will effect us.
For years I have been tracking events in the Muslim world around Israel. This is the major theatre of interest in the prophetic picture. I've been watching that for decades and I have recognized events I know to be fulfillment of Bible prophecy. I have also noted certain changes that must occur before certain prophecies could be fulfilled. I have publicly stated some of those in advance, and have also predicted what would happen after such changes would materialize. Tonight I'm sharing one such example from 2016. What I predicted in 2016 has now materialized, and this change indicates that we are now within only a few years from the Great Tribulation. This means important steps must be taken now by Yah's people.
My message tonight has to do with the historic Islamic rivalries within the Islam of the Middle East. While rivalry has been ongoing between Sunni and Shia Islam for centuries, it intensified with the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of an Islamic government under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini marked a turning point. Khomeini's leadership and the subsequent export of the Iranian Revolution's radical ideology turned the Muslim world upside down, while the export of terror around the world has been a menace for decades.
The Shia Crescent
Have you heard of The Shia Crescent? In recent years the term has been used in Western political discourse to identify areas under Iranian influence or control, as Iran has sought to unite all Shia Muslims under one banner to wage jihad on the rest of the world, most notably the USA and Israel. The success of this Shia initiative demonstrated the political weight of Shia in the Middle East. Areas in the Shia Crescent include Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Yemen, and western Afghanistan.
The Syrian Civil War has been a significant battleground for Sunni-Shia rivalry. The conflict began as a popular uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's regime but quickly escalated into a sectarian war. Shia-majority Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, supported Assad, while Sunni-majority countries backed opposition groups. The war has resulted in widespread sectarian violence with hundreds of thousands killed and the displacement of millions of people.
In late 2024 the Shia Crescent was largely overthrown in the Hamas/Israel war. However, it was Sunnis who struck the final blow that toppled the Shia Crescent with the overthrow of the Assad Regime in Syria. This put the Sunni Muslims back on top in the Sunni/Shia rivalry. Now the question becomes: What nation will lead the Sunni Muslims? Also, how will that end up?
Here we note that historically the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has been significantly shaped by the rivalry between Turkey and Egypt, both vying for the preeminent position within the Sunni Muslim world. This competition has deep historical roots, intertwined with cultural, political, and religious dimensions, making it a compelling narrative of power and influence.
Historical Context
The Ottoman Empire, which rose to prominence in the late 13th century, was a dominant force in the Sunni Muslim world for centuries. As the center of the caliphate, the Ottoman sultans wielded immense religious authority. Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) became a hub of Islamic scholarship and culture.
During this period, Egypt was also a significant center of Islamic learning, particularly in Cairo, home to the renowned Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest and most esteemed institutions of Islamic learning.
However, the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the subsequent abolition of the caliphate in 1924 marked a significant shift. Turkey, under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, embarked on a path of secularization and modernization, distancing itself from its Ottoman Islamic heritage. Egypt, on the other hand, continued to cultivate its religious institutions and became a center of Sunni Islamic thought, particularly through Al-Azhar.
Modern Rivalry
In contemporary times, the competition between Turkey and Egypt for Sunni leadership has been driven by both domestic and regional dynamics.
Turkey's Resurgence: Under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey has experienced a resurgence of political Islam. Erdoğan's vision of "Neo-Ottomanism" seeks to reassert Turkey's influence in the Middle East, appealing to shared Islamic heritage and Ottoman legacy. The AKP government has invested in religious institutions and promoted Islamic values, positioning Turkey as a defender of Sunni interests, particularly in opposition to Shia-dominated Iran.
Egypt's Continuity
Egypt, under various regimes, has consistently maintained its role as a key player in Sunni Islam. Al-Azhar University continues to be a crucial center of Islamic jurisprudence and education, issuing fatwas and providing Muslim guidance to the Sunni world. Egypt's leadership has often used Al-Azhar as a tool to project its religious authority, emphasizing its historical role as a guardian of somewhat more moderate Sunni Islam.
You might remember that President Obama visited Cairo Egypt on June 4, 2009 and delivered a speech titled "A New Beginning," in which he addressed the Muslim world. This event was co-hosted by Al-Azhar University, and Cairo University. That Obama chose Egypt to host his remarks to the whole Muslim world shows something of the status which Egypt holds there.
Political and Ideological Differences
The rivalry between Turkey and Egypt is not merely about religious leadership but also encompasses political and ideological differences.
Turkish Model: Turkey's model of political Islam, as embodied by the AKP, advocates for a synthesis of modernity and Islamism. Erdoğan's government has emphasized economic development, seemingly democratic governance (though this has been increasingly questioned), and an assertive foreign policy. Turkey's involvement in regional conflicts, such as in Syria and Libya, reflects its ambitions to shape the Middle East's political landscape.
Egyptian Model: Egypt, particularly under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has promoted a more traditional and conservative approach to Islam. El-Sisi's government has cracked down on Islamist movements, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, and emphasized the role of the state in regulating religious discourse. Egypt's approach aims to combat extremism and promote a more moderate interpretation of Islam.
Regional Implications
The competition between Turkey and Egypt has significant regional implications, influencing alliances and conflicts across the Middle East, and elsewhere.
Libya: In Libya, Turkey and Egypt have supported opposing factions, with Turkey backing the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, while Egypt supports the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar. This proxy conflict is emblematic of their broader struggle for influence in the region.
Gulf States: Both Turkey and Egypt have cultivated alliances with different Gulf states. Turkey has strengthened ties with Qatar, which shares its support for Islamist movements, while Egypt has aligned with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who oppose the rise of political Islam and view Turkey's ambitions with suspicion.
Palestinians: The Palestinian cause has also been a battleground for Turkish and Egyptian influence. Turkey's vocal support for Hamas and criticism of Israel contrasts with Egypt's more cautious approach, reflecting their differing strategies and aspirations for leadership in the Sunni world.
Overall
The rivalry between Turkey and Egypt for Sunni leadership is a multifaceted and evolving narrative, and has been for centuries. This competition reflects broader struggles for power and influence in the Middle East. As both nations continue to navigate their roles on the regional stage, with the Sunnis back on top, their rivalry will undoubtedly become a defining feature of the geopolitical landscape, meshing with significant Latter Days prophecy that will lead into the Great Tribulation.
Join me tonight for Muslim Rivalry in Bible Prophecy. We begin our live stream tonight at Tsiyon.Net at 8 PM, Central. Join us and invite your friends on any of our streaming platforms. Significant changes of Biblical proportions have happened and are happening and the book of Daniel tells us about them! More tonight!
Eliyahu
Tsiyon.Org
PS - Be sure to join us tonight for comments on the effect of President Trump's shocking Gaza Plan on Bible Prophecy!
See this tonight!
"In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good courage!
I have overcome the world." John 16:33